Ian Taylor urges you to enter the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
Awards can encourage good practice in responsible tourism, but don’t despair if you were too late to qualify for the ones handed out today.
Presentation of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards this morning will no doubt provide the highlight of the day for the winners.
But there is an opportunity for destinations and businesses to win recognition for their work in sustainable tourism between now and the awards next year.
The World Travel and Tourism Council is seeking entries for its Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2009 and there is a month to go before the deadline.
Tourism for Tomorrow aims to reward those who, in the words of the WTTC: “Look beyond short-term considerations and focus on benefits not only for people who travel but for people in the communities they visit and natural, social and cultural environments.”
WTTC president and chief executive Jean-Claude Baumgarten said: “We see an increasing number of tourism businesses making a meaningful contribution to the well-being of local communities – protecting nature and safeguarding cultural heritage. The question is no longer whether sustainable tourism works, but how far we can take it.”
A shortlist of 12 nominees will be drawn from applicants in the following four categories:
- Destination Stewardship
- Conservation
- Community Benefit
- Global Tourism Business
The winners and finalists will be honoured at the WTTC Global Travel and Tourism Summit in spring 2009.
The closing date for applications is December 15.
- Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards will take place at 11am, Platinum Suite 4resptourwtm08
