LONDON—For the fourth year running, World Travel Market will host the Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored for the first time by Virgin Holidays. The awards celebrate tourism ventures that make a positive contribution to conservation and the economies of local communities while minimizing any negative impacts on tourism.
The awards, the biggest of its kind in the world, are again organized by online travel agent responsibletravel.com, in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine—the magazine of The Royal Geographical Society.
In 2006 the awards received an unprecedented response with more than 1,200 nominations. This year’s awards will be presented at World Travel Market on November 14 on WTM World Responsible Tourism Day.
“We are delighted that the awards continue to have their home at World Travel Market and, most appropriately, on the first ever WTM World Responsible Tourism Day,” says Fiona Jeffery, managing director, World Travel Market. “The day, a global initiative in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization and supported by the likes of Sir Richard Branson, is the world’s most ambitious international day of industry action to help save the planet and change lives. It is a unique opportunity for governments, the travel industry, local communities and travelers to show that it is practical contributions that count, not just talk. The Responsible Tourism Awards highlight all that is best in practical contributions.”
Focus on Carbon Dioxide Reduction
“With the public’s help we’ll seek out tourism ventures providing the greatest benefit to local communities while reducing local cultural and environmental impacts,” says Justin Francis, co-founder of the online travel agent responsibletravel.com, organizers of the awards. “A particular focus will be placed on carbon dioxide reduction initiatives both in destinations and in transportation.”
“We are delighted to be able to act as headline sponsor of the 2007 Responsible Tourism Awards,” says Amanda Wills, managing director of Virgin Holidays. “Virgin has always been about driving change through successful entrepreneurship and Virgin Holidays are no different. We are passionate about responsible tourism and proud to be associated with awards that provide recognition to those individuals and businesses whose success in pioneering social and environmental responsibility acts as inspiration to others.
“The importance of sustainability in tourism has never been greater,” Wills adds. “In the words of Sir Richard Branson, ‘Our generation has inherited an incredibly beautiful world from our parents and they from their parents. It is in our hands whether our children and their children inherit the same world.’ And to prove we aren’t all talk, all profits and dividends that Virgin Group receives from Virgin Holidays, Atlantic and Trains (estimated to be $3 billion over the next 10 years) will be ploughed into research and investment to develop sustainable sources of energy.”
Nominations should be made online at www.responsibletourismawards.com or by post to responsibletravel.com, Pavilion House, 6 Old Steine, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1EJ, United Kingdom, and include the name and contact details of the nomination (website, e-mail, address and telephone number if possible), plus up to 100 words on why you believe they should win a responsible tourism award. The category of entry should also be specified (see below). Nominations close on July 2.
Those individuals who nominate a category winner will be entered into a draw to win a 14-day tour of Uganda with i-to-i or a 19-day tour of Nepal with The Adventure Co. There are 13 categories in which to nominate, with an overall winner chosen from the sector winners. The categories include:
• Best in a Marine Environment (including beach).
• Best in a Mountain Environment—Sponsored by Blacks.
• Best in a Park or Protected Area—Sponsored by Conservation International.
• Best Tour Operator—Sponsored by The Adventure Co.
• Best Small Accommodation/hotel (less than 50 rooms).
• Best Larger Accommodation/hotel (more than 50 rooms).
• Best for Poverty Reduction.
• Best for Low Carbon Transport/Technology.
• Best for Conservation of Cultural Heritage.
• Best for Conservation of Endangered Species.
• Best Personal Contribution—Sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission.
• Best Volunteering Organization—Sponsored by Lonely Planet.
• Best Destination—Sponsored by G.A.P Adventures.
For more information contact Simon Greenbury at simon@janelarcombecommunications.com.
