The Responsible Tourism Awards are the largest awards of their kind in the world and are a collaboration between online travel directory responsibletravel.com, who founded and organise the Awards, UK media partners The Daily Telegraph and Geographical Magazine, and World Travel Market, who host the Awards ceremony.

Mashovhela Lodge, which has already been recognised locally for its efforts and its eco-friendly and responsible tourism policies, is one of 29 organisations to be long listed in the Best Small Accommodation category.

The lodge is situated in Morning Sun Nature Reserve, which is a Natural Heritage Site and has been owned by Dr Hans Hahn for the past 40 years. The Venda styled lodge was designed and built by Dr Hahn's daughter Ingrid.

"It has always been my family's and my vision to share this natural heritage site with all, through our eco-friendly bush lodge, in order to protect the environment, uplift the community and educate them and visitors to the lodge, in environmentally friendly living, whilst enjoying and relaxing in this amazing part of the Soutpansberg Mountains," says Hahn.

"It is a great honour for us that the lodge is being recognised globally for its responsible tourism policies as it shows we are achieving our goals. It is also fantastic for the Soutpansberg Mountains as an area and for a South African destination to be amongst the fore runners in this field globally" added Hahn.

This year the Awards attracted over 1900 nominations from members of the public for over 500 tourism organisations and individuals world wide.