CCF Wins Gold Prize at the 2022 Namibia Tourism Expo

Co-written by Ignatius Davids

CCF’s Annetjie Pöntinen and Ignatius Davids represented CCF at the just ended Namibia Tourism Expo in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, which took place from 3 – 5 November 2022 and won the Gold Prize for the most engaging and interactive exhibition stall, winning prize money of N$7,500.

This expo, Namibia’s first Tourism Expo post-covid, aimed to give Namibia’s hospitality sector a platform to advertise and market its goods and services to everyone associated in the sector as well as the general public.

More than 100 exhibition stands represented various hotels, lodges and rest camps, and CCF presented its luxury accommodation, Babson House and the Cheetah View Lodge, including the tourist activities such as the cheetah drive, cheetah run, behind the scenes and the Little Serengeti safari drive. In addition to tourism, the CCF exhibition showcased the work of its various departments e.g. Education, Ecology, LSGD, Biomass, Creamery, Genetics and Veterinary Clinic, and how they all work together to ensure the survival of the cheetah for future generations. The goats milk fudge and chevrotin cheese were a favourite among the visitors – the fudge sold out on day two!

Asked how CCF as a tourism destination is different from all other destinations, Annetjie and Ignatius explained that CCF is a conservation organization with tourism on the side. “CCF offers unique opportunities for visitors to not only enjoy the cheetah, but learn about the threats this species is faced with and what we can all do to help prevent its extinction. What better way to do that than through responsible tourism!” said Annetjie when asked by a visitor at the expo. Visitors also wanted to know the difference between a cheetah and leopard, and the big cheetah banners provided a very exciting visual learning aid.

In addition to the prize money, CCF received a certificate and a free advertorial and editorial coverage of a half page advertisement in the Tourismus Namibia, 2023 Edition.

Annetjie and Ignatius also took the opportunity to promote International Cheetah Day (ICD) at the expo. ICD is celebrated annually around the world on 4 December. This year, CCF will invite the Namibian public to join the celebrations at its Research and Education Centre, where visitors can take part in activities, games and win prizes!