FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
London – 25 January, 2007 — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced today the 12 finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2007. Tourism businesses and initiatives from all over the world were encouraged to apply for these prestigious Awards, which represent the highest accolade for best practice in Travel & Tourism development.
An international committee of experts selected the 12 finalists from over 130 applications from more than 40 countries representing Travel & Tourism on all seven continents. Costas Christ, Judging Chairman of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and an internationally recognized expert in sustainable tourism said: “With rigorous evaluation standards and detailed criteria, the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have become the “Oscars” of Travel & Tourism industry. Today that means not only providing an outstanding tourism product but doing so in a way that helps to protect the cultural and natural heritage of our planet. The finalist selection committee judges were particularly inspired to see an increasing number of enterprises this year that are demonstrating environmentally and socially responsible tourism from large-scale ski resorts to small ecolodges”.
The finalists for each category are, in alphabetical order:
Destination Award
Great Barrier Reef, Australia – www.gbrmpa.gov.au
Greenbox Trading As Responsible Tourism, Ireland – www.greenbox.ie
The State of Vermont, USA – www.VermontVacation.com
Conservation Award
Aqua-Trek, Fiji Islands and USA – www.aquatrek.com
Aspen Skiing Company, USA – www.aspensnowmass.com
Caiman Ecological Refuge, Brazil – www.caiman.com.br
Investor in People Award
10 Knots Development Corporation / El Nido Resorts, Philippines – www.elnidoresorts.com
Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia – www.nihiwatu.com
Sunderbans Jungle Camp, India – email: helptourismkolkata@gmail.com
Global Tourism Business Award
Lindblad Expeditions, USA and Global – www.expeditions.com
Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Thailand and Global – www.sixsenses.com
Wilderness Safaris, South Africa – www.wilderness-safaris.com
Winners will receive their prestigious Award during a special ceremony at the Gala Dinner of the 7th Global Travel & Tourism Summit on 11 May, 2007 in Lisbon Portugal. The selection of finalists and winners is in-depth and unique as Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director of Ibex Expeditions, India explains: “Ever since I have been judging these awards, I am delighted to see the quality of the projects improve consistently. The unique feature of a site visit of the finalists to verify the on-ground situation makes it a well thought out Award. I am sure these role models in sustainable and responsible tourism actions will do our tourism industry proud so we can all hold our heads high and do our bit to make the world a better place.”
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of WTTC said: “With a forecasted growth of 10% of world GDP over the next 10 years and a total employment of amore than 230 million jobs worldwide, Travel & Tourism has huge economic effects even on communities in remote areas. Therefore, we are encouraged about the growing number of participants in the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and the commitment shown by enterprises across the world to responsible tourism development. Providing sustainable livelihood is a long-term goal and we are delighted to honour the world’s leading examples of where this goal is actually being pursued.”
The Awards are sponsored by several WTTC Members and other organizations, including British Airways, Espirito Santo Tourism, Opodo, Reed Travel Exhibitions, TAP Air Portugal, as well as by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Adventure Travel Expo. Media sponsors include 4Hoteliers, BBC World, E-Turbo News, The Daily Telegraph, National Geographic Adventure, Newsweek, Simon & Baker Travel Review, Travelmole, Travel Weekly and WOW Travel.
Contact
Fore more information about the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards please contact Susann Kruegel, Project & Events Co-ordinator on +44 (0) 20 7481 8007 or susann@wttc.org
The Finalists’ Selection Committee
Chairman:
Costas Christ – Judging Chairman of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
Committee:
Dr Peter Burns, Professor, Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton, UK
Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters & Associates, Australia
Nicky Fitzgerald, Senior Director, CC Africa, South Africa
Marilu Hernandez, President, Fundacion Hacinedas del Mundo Mayas, Mexico
Oliver Hillel, Programme Officer, Sustainable Use, Tourism and Island Biodiversity
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada
Dr Janne J Liburd, Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark & Chair, BEST Education Network
Brian Mullis, President, Sustainable Travel International, USA
Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions (P) Ltd, India
Ary Suhandi, Executive Director, INDECON, Indonesia
Albert Teo, Managing Director, Borneo Eco Tours, Malaysia
Michelle White, Director, Environmental Affairs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Canada & Global
Destination Award
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
This world renowned destination has demonstrated successful linkages between nature preservation and the tourism industry through sustainable destination management. The project is constantly evolving through its beneficial partnerships. The successful efforts made by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to includes a multi-stakeholder approach to preserve this unique natural treasure represents an important benchmark for other large-scale protected area tourism destinations. The High Standard Tourism Programme showcases the successful implementation of sustainable management practices by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. For more information please visit www.gbrmpa.gov.au
Greenbox Trading As Responsible Tourism, Ireland
Greenbox comprises numerous counties in Ireland under one sustainable tourism destination management project. Their unique approach with a strong focus on public-private partnership has inspired other tourism destinations in Ireland to engage in sustainable tourism practices. In addition to Greenbox’s ecotourism programme for educating tourists, locals and policy stakeholders, Greenbox also actively supports cultural heritage preservation within the framework for successful destination stewardship. For more information please visit www.greenbox.ie
The State of Vermont, USA
The State of Vermont has successfully demonstrated how revitalization of rural towns and cities linked with tourism can secure maximum economic, social and environmental benefits and minimum negative impacts on a destination. The project includes unique features such as the Vermont Forum on Sprawl to maintain the sense of place and traditional character of a destination. Cultural preservation through refurbishment of historic places as well as nature conservation goes hand in hand in the State of Vermont’s approach to destination management. For more information please visit www.vermontvacation.com
Conservation Award
Aqua-Trek/Aqua-Trek’s Fiji Shark Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Programme, Fiji Islands
At a time when the global shark population is in dramatic decline due to unsustainable practices such “shark finning” by commercial vessels and in a country where shark fishing remains popular, Aqua-Trek’s Fiji Shark Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Programme has been successful in educating both tourists and the local Fijian people on the benefits of protecting the shark population. This successful initiative to preserve the Fiji shark population through sustainable tourism practices has resulted in increased shark populations on the reef and demonstrates best practice in collaboration between local communities and an international dive operator in the conservation of a threatened marine species. For more information please visit www.aquatrek.com
Aspen Skiing Company, USA
Aspen Skiing Company host 1.3 million skiers annually while at the same time demonstrating a rare example of large scale tourism that operates on a sound environmental management plan. With 100 percent of its electricity use coming from renewable energy through the largest purchase of renewable energy certificates in the ski industry, Aspen has taken a major stand on global warming while educating its employees, guests and media on the urgent need to address climate change. Through bio diesel, micro-hydro, wind power and its Environmental Foundation, among other initiatives, Aspen Skiing Company continues to set benchmarks for large scale environmentally sensitive tourism. For more information please visit www.aspensnowmass.com
Caiman Ecological Refuge, Brazil
This pioneer conservation-tourism initiative consists of an ecolodge and a sustainably-operated cattle ranch working together in an effort to promote protection and sustainable use of the Pantanal wetland of Brazil – a high biodiversity area on our planet. The creation of the Caiman Ecological Refuge as part of the project and the education of local land owners and tourists to the importance of conserving the Pantanal’s natural heritage is the cornerstone of this project, which has helped bring world wide attention to the Pantanal as a conservation priority. For more information please www.caiman.com.br
Investor in IN People Award
10 Knots Development Corporation / El Nido Resorts, Philippines
At El Nido Resorts corporate citizenship, environmental responsibility and commitment to local people finds itself expressed in every aspect of the 10 Knots Development Corporation. Their comprehensive approach to fair wages, capacity building and staff education showcases true investment in people. 10 Knots Development Corporation not only complies with the principles of triple-bottom-line sustainable management; environment, culture and economic benefits, but also helps promote sustainable tourism practices on the Philippine island of Palawan. For more information please visit www.elnidoresorts.com
Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia
At the heart of this remote lodge on Sumba Island in Indonesia is a deep commitment to fighting poverty and protecting cultural heritage through partnerships with local communities while delivering an outstanding guest experience. The Sumba Foundation, founded by Nihiwatu, has been a powerful vehicle for generating self-improvement projects, including safe drinking water, malaria eradication and primary school education for local villagers. For more information please visit www.nihiwatu.com
Sunderbans Jungle Camp, India
Despite bureaucratic and other organizational challenges, the small Sunderbans Jungle Camp manages to operate a sustainable tourism best practice model in one of the most remote impoverished regions of India - the Ganges river delta. Sunderbans Jungle Camp is providing a light at the end of the tunnel with its promotion of sustainable tourism as an alternative to a subsistance livelihood among local people which has contributed to environmental degredation and poverty. Their sustainable tourism approach is helping to provide a successful, alternative economic and social benefit model to local people.
For more information please email to helptourismkolkata@gmail.com
Global Tourism Business Award
Lindblad Expeditions, USA and Global
As cruise ship tour operator, Lindblad Expeditions is a global role model for environmental stewardship and responsibility. Their approach to cruise ship tourism features many unique best practise examples, such as their local food sourcing and the re-use and recycling programme. Both guests and staff are continuously educated about the benefits of responsible travel. Through environmental conservation initiatives and numerous partnerships and multi-stakeholder involvement, Lindblad Expeditions continues to play a leading role in stetting the sustainable tourism benchmark for cruise ships in fragile nature destinations around the world and most notably, in the Galapagos islands.
For more information please visit www.expeditions.com
Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Thailand and Global
The Six Senses Social and Environmental Conscience initiative in sustainable tourism, including their Environmental Management Programme, Social and Environmental Responsibility Fund and Corporate Partnership Programme has lead to environmentally sound property management as well as community involvement and benefits. Guests and staff are encouraged to learn from each other through cultural exchange and environmental awareness, which includes resorts and spas built according to sustainable design principles and reflecting local cultural heritage, heath and wellbeing.
For more information please visit www.sixsenses.com
Wilderness Safaris, South Africa
This South African based lodge company with 52 properties in seven countries distinguishes itself by investing back into the areas visited through conservation, community partnerships and social benefit projects. Not only do they showcase remarkable conservation achievements in terms of establishing new protected areas but also through environmentally sound practices such as waste water treatment, garbage disposal and energy use management systems. Of equal measure are their community partnerships that have resulted in tangible economic and social benefits to local peoples in remote areas of Africa. This is all done while providing guests with outstanding service.
For more information please visit www.wilderness-safaris.com
About Tourism for Tomorrow
The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, now in their third year under the auspices of WTTC reward best practice in responsible tourism development across the world. This highest accolade in the Travel & Tourism industry is handed out annually in four different categories to those that truly showcase benchmarks and inspire others to follow suit.
About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global business leaders’ forum for Travel & Tourism. Its members are Chairmen, Chief Executives and Presidents of the world’s most prominent Travel & Tourism organizations. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide. For more information please visit www.wttc.org and contact Louise Oram, PR & Communications Co-ordinator on +44 (0) 20 7481 8007 or louise@wttc.org
For more information on the Global Travel & Tourism Summit please visit www.globaltraveltourism.com
