Travel companies and destinations have a chance to demonstrate best practice in sustainability to a worldwide audience following the launch of the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
An international panel of judges will select nominees in four categories – destination stewardship, conservation, community benefit and global tourism business – with the awards presented at the WTTC Summit next spring following an onsite verification of the finalists.
The 2009 awards broke new ground in recognising the move of sustainablity into mainstream tourism, with awards going to a destination, an airline and a major hospitality group.
Grupo Puntacana of the Dominican Republic won the Destination Stewardship Award, carrier NatureAir of Costa Rica won the Conservation Award, and Marriott International picked up the Global Tourism Business Award. The Community Benefit Award went to the Zakoura Foundation for Micro Credits in Morocco.
Chairman of the judges Costas Christ said: “The travel and tourism industry has radically changed the way it views sustainability, moving it from the sidelines to centre stage.”
WTTC president and chief executive Jean-Claude Baumgarten added: “The awards look beyond short-term consideraations and focus on benefits not only for the people who travel, but for people in the communities they visit and their natural, social and cultural environments.”
Full details of the awards, including how to apply, can be found at tourismfortomorrow.com. The closing date for entries is December 2.