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Newstrack
WTTC announces 12 finalists for Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2008
ETW Staff - Mumbai
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced
the 12 finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2008. An international
committee of 12 experts led by Costas Christ, chairman of judges for these awards
and internationally-recognised leader in sustainable tourism, selected 12 finalists
from 150 applications from more than 40 countries representing travel and tourism
on all seven continents.
Costas Christ said, "Sustainable tourism practices are ramping up to a
new level, as the tourism industry moves beyond basic recycling programmes and
washing sheets and towels every other day. There is a more sophisticated effort
happening now at greening tourism operations and delivering tangible returns
for conservation and community development. The 2008 finalists represent the
very best examples among a great pool of exceptional award applicants who are
part of the global transformation of tourism now underway."
Winners and finalists will be honoured at a special ceremony at the gala dinner
of the 8th Global Travel & Tourism Summit on April 21, 2008 in Dubai. The
finalists for each category are, in alphabetical order:
Destination Award
- Blackstone Valley, USA
- Rinjani Trek Ecotourism Programme, Indonesia
- Town of Bouctouche, Canada Conservation Award
- Ecotourism Australia
- Grootbos Nature Reserve, South Africa
- Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka.
Investor In People Award
- Fair Trade in Tourism, South Africa
- RARE/La Ruta Moskitia, Honduras
- Rainforest Expeditions, Peru.
Global Tourism Business Award
- Scandic Hotels, Sweden & Global
- Serena Hotels and Lodges, Kenya & Global
- Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Thailand & Global.
The finalist selection committee for the Tourism for Tomorrow
Awards 2008 includes:
- 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
- Erika Harms, executive director of Sustainable Development,
United Nations Foundation, Costa Rica & USA
- Marilú Hernández, president, Fundacion
Hacinedas del Mundo Mayas, Mexico
- Dr Janne J Liburd, associate professor, University
of Southern Denmark, Denmark & Chair, BEST Education Network
- Brian Mullis, president, Sustainable Travel International,
USA
- Mahen Sangkhrajka, president, Big Five Tourism and
Expeditions, Kenya & USA
- Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, founder & managing director,
Ibex Expeditions India
- Albert Teo, MD, Borneo Eco Tours, Malaysia
- Michelle White, director, Environmental Affairs,
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Canada & Global.
Travelport is the new strategic partner for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards,
which are endorsed by the members of the council and sponsored by leading travel
and tourism organisations like Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Lindblad Expeditions,
NM Rothschild & Sons, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Adventure in Travel Expo,
BEST Education Network, Sustainable Travel International, Rainforest Alliance
and World Heritage Alliance. The only entry from India this year was Manas Wildlife
Sanctuary from Help Tourism for the category of conservation awards, which received
62 entries in all.
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