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24 January 2012 |
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The Finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2012The high calibre of this year's applicants illustrates some of the very best in sustainable tourism. Hopefuls ranged from planning and management projects, to those featuring innovative engagement with local community, and business making a difference.
The Tourism for Tomorrow Award categories are Global Tourism Business, Conservation, Community Benefit and Destination Stewardship.
For those that unfortunately are not part of the Finalist selection, don’t be discouraged! There is always next year. We encourage you to apply as often as possible.
The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2012 is proud to announce that this year’s Finalists are as follows:
Community Benefit Award:
Saunders Hotel Group, USA
Conservation Award:
Cheli & Peacock Ltd., Kenya
Destination Stewardship Award:
Destination Røros, Norway
Global Tourism Business:
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Singapore
Our thorough judging process is what makes the Awards unique. Every year, we ensure a rigorous three-step judging process including an on-site evaluation.
The on-site evaluations will begin soon with esteemed sustainability experts visiting each of the Finalists to make in-depth assessments and gain a well-rounded picture of the organisations and practices.
The winners will be announced on 17 April at this year’s WTTC Global Summit in Tokyo from 16-19 April 2012, following the evaluation of the winner selection committee.
The committee is drawn from media, government, non-profit organisations and the private sector. In addition to Costas Christ, the 2012 judges are Hon Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Tourism, South Africa; H.E. Sergio Díaz-Granados, Minister of Trade & Tourism, Colombia; Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market & Just A Drop; and Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Traveler.
R. Tauck & Partners on the Tourism for Tomorrow AwardsHeritage is arguably mankind's greatest invention. Spanning generations and cultures, it has allowed humanity to collectively curate a common history and a common appreciation for our world’s most universal treasures.
The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognize entities whose vision and commitment to the perseveration of heritage assets transcends commonplace expectations to redefine “best practices” through the sustainable enrichment of destinations for future generations.
The innovative, strategic, and transformative examples of all submissions by our Industry partners for the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards constitute the ‘best of the best’. We are proud to be a new 2012 Destination Stewardship sponsor.
Robin Tauck & Partners are ambassadors of cultural heritage, preservation and sustainable tourism. For further information on R. Tauck & Partners, visit http://www.robintauck.com
The Rainforest Alliance announces a new global platform of tour operatorsWith assistance from inbound and outbound tour-operating agencies in Latin America, the United States and Europe, the Rainforest Alliance has launched Tour Operators Promoting Sustainability (TOPS), a specialized global platform of tour operators dedicated to promoting and supporting sustainable tourism in their respective markets.
“TOPS was designed to work in conjunction with tour operators to help transform the business practices of tourism companies and motivating tourists to support these efforts,” says Ronald Sanabria, the Rainforest Alliance’s vice president of sustainable tourism. “The long-term aim is to help the industry become socially and environmentally responsible as well as profitable, encouraging tourism practices that protect ecosystems and improve the lives of individuals and communities.”
TOPS participants will have access to updated and verified information on sustainable suppliers, discounts on the Rainforest Alliance’s verification services (this applies only to inbound operators) and training and business-generating opportunities as well as the chance to establish business relationships and engage in promotional activities in European and North American markets by participating in fairs, press meetings and familiarization (FAM) trips.
By unifying the individual efforts of these businesses, TOPS will allow them to have a greater impact on social and conservation projects in the Latin American destinations where they work.
*** Contact: Milagro Espinoza, mespinoza@ra.org 506 22 16 48 53 63593
Providing sustainable solutions for businesses and destinationsLong-time partners of the WTTC and Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, Sustainable Travel International (STI) is an organization focused on providing innovative market-driven sustainability solutions to businesses and destinations worldwide throughout the travel and tourism industry.
STI’s adaptive and collaborative approach engages local stakeholders using a suite of next-generation strategic solutions. STI aims to make sustainability manageable and accessible, positioning destinations and businesses to meet the needs of their constituents and demonstrate increased global competitiveness.
Destination Stewardship: A collaborative approach to sustainability that helps destination managers identify priority issues, develop practical solutions, and foster a collective vision for tourism development and marketing.
STEP (Sustainable Tourism Education Program): This program includes a suite of training tools and online sustainability management solutions, in addition to a variety of globally recgonized eco-certification standards. Widely recognized as a gold standard in sustainability, the program is perfect for businesses looking for incremental, measurable progress, rather than an easy checklist of best practices. To learn more, email info@sustainabletravel.com, visit www.sustainabletravel.com or call 503.488.5500.
BEST EN welcomes you to Think Tank XII - 2012The BEST EN (Building Excellence in Sustainable Tourism – an Education Network) is busy preparing for the next Think Tank, to be held in Greoux les Bains, Provence in June 2012. SKEMA Business School and La Cité de la Culture et du Tourisme Durable will be hosting the 12th annual event in the south of France.
Over the four days of the Think Tank, participants from universities around the world will come together to present current research and discuss the future of mobility in the context of sustainable tourism, not only addressing transportation issues, but also aspects of social and economic mobility. Think Tank XII will feature three keynote speakers who are considered experts in the field: Prof. Stefan Gössling (Linnaeus University) will give a keynote entitled “New dimensions in transport research: understanding behaviour designing interventions.” Prof. Allan Williams (Uni. of Surrey) will give a keynote on “Mobilities and sustainable tourism: enfolded, substitutable, and uncertain relationships.” Also planned is an industry forum led by Ghislain Dubois (Tourisme Transports Territoires Environnement Conseil), where key players from the industry will shed light on the concerns regarding tourism mobility. Throughout the Think Tank there will be several networking activities which will provide participants with a golden opportunity to come together and meet others concerned with tourism mobilities and sustainable tourism. For more detailed information about the Think Tank, please visit: www.besteducationnetwork.org.
Fiona Jeffery awarded OBE in New Year’s Honours List
Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in Queen Elizabeth’s II New Year’s Honours list.
The 2011 New Year’s Honours list was chosen based on the UK’s Prime Minister David Cameroon Big Society initiative, which is focused on people making a real difference to communities through volunteering, fundraising, social action and philanthropy. In 1998, Jeffery launched travel industry water aid charity Just a Drop which aims to reduce child mortality caused by unsafe water. The charity has undertaken more than 92 water aid projects and helped more than 1.5 million children and their families in 29 countries. "I was genuinely stunned but it's a great honour and I've received lots of wonderful emails and texts over the last week,” Jeffery said. “The best thing is being able to share it with so many colleagues both at Reed Exhibitions and within the travel Industry who have all played their part over the last 26 years in making World Travel Market what it is today and also the many people who have also latterly helped support and grow Just a Drop. “The joy others have taken for the award has been particularly nice to see and given me the greatest of pleasure. My sincere thanks go to colleagues and those in the industry who have worked with and supported me over the years." Fiona is a trustee of the charity The Travel Foundation and she received the Shine Woman of the Year Award in 2008.
Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is the world’s leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry. Its wide-ranging portfolio of events around the globe covers leisure travel, luxury travel and the meetings and incentives industry. For more information please visit www.reedtravelexhibitions.com World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend four-day business-to-business exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Please visit www.wtmlondon.com for further information.
Announcing Australia’s Premier Tourism and Events Excellence Conference
In 2012 Melbourne will once again host Australia’s premier National Tourism and Events Excellence Conference.
The conference attracts around 300 delegates from around Australia and overseas, most of whom represent their organisation at a CEO or executive level. The Tourism and Events Excellence Conference is a fantastic opportunity for professional development and to build lasting business relationships. This is an exciting event for the industry and you are invited to participate. Visit www.teeconference.com for further information.
The Power of Tourism on the FutureInternational tourism grew 4% in 2011 to 980 million, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. With the expected growth to continue in 2012, international tourism is expected to reach the milestone one billion mark later this year. A billion people. The power that number has to change the world is remarkable - if harnessed in a sustainable and responsible way. Planeterra's new video, "Did You Know" shows the power and possibility of the industry and the individual.
Japan Ecotourism SocietyJapan Ecotourism Society (JES）is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the concept of ecotourism as well as to create ecotourists in Japan. To promote ecotourism, JES supports people who practice ecotourism through activities such as organizing symposiums, consulting, and providing information. The Ministry of the Environment and JES also hold the Ecotourism Awards to commend excellent ecotourism activities in Japan. This year, JES is honored to have an opportunity to contribute to the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards that recognizes best practice in sustainable tourism around the globe. We welcome everyone in Japan to join in our activities. We also welcome everyone in the world to visit Japan and experience its unique ecotours.
The Travel Corporation Conservation FoundationThe Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation was established from a desire by The Travel Corporation to create a vehicle to encourage the sustainable development of tourism and support international conservation efforts. The Foundation plays an integral role in The Travel Corporation’s efforts to promote responsible travel. Establilshed in 2008, 2011 was a year to celebrate successes to date and to embark on new initiatives.
Recognition of three years supporting commmunity based tourism initiatives in Australia came in 2011 to project sponsors AAT Kings, Inspiring Journeys, WWF Australia & The Kimberley Coast Land Council. The programs resulting Bardi Jawi ranger visitor program won the 2011 Western Australia Coastal Award for Excellence in recognition of an exceptional contribution to protecting the environment.
In cooperation with Uniworld River Cruises and The Travel Foundation, the Foundation is currently engaged in a project aimed at enhancing the sustainability of river cruising. Stage one was a 2010 audit of Nile floating hotels. Stage two of the project in in progress and involves the audit of Uniworld owned and operated river cruise boats on The Rhine, Rhône and Danube. Focusing on the boats environmental management system, the audit concentrated on water and energy conservation and waste reduction. The projects ultimate aim is to develop recommendations for river cruising that are applicable to multiple destinations.
Contact Information
For more information on the Awards please visit www.tourismfortomorrow.com or contact:
Anja Eckervogt
Follow the Awards on facebook and on Twitter WTandTC Watch the 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/wttc |
Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Breaking Travel News, CNBC, fvw Mediengruppe, Financial Times, Mercado & Eventos, National Geographic Channel/Sky News, National Geographic Traveler, Newsweek International, Nikkei, TravelBiz Monitor, Travel Daily News, Travelmole, Travel Weekly US, Travesías, TTN Middle East, TW Group, USA TODAY, Xinhua 
BestEn Travel, Global Eco Conference, EUROPARC, Japan Ecotourism Society, Planeterra, Rainforest Alliance, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Sustainable Travel International, Tony Charters & Associates 
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