Entries have opened for the 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards which highlight the best in sustainable tourism.
Four categories are available for the awards organised by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – global tourism business, conservation, community benefit and destination stewardship.
The deadline for applications is December 10 and applications can be made online at tourismfortomorrow.com/Apply/.
The winners will be announced at the WTTC’s 11th Global Travel & Tourism Summit to be held in Las Vegas on May 17-19.
The global tourism business category is open to large companies from any sector of travel and tourism with at least 500 full-time employees and operating in more than one country.
In the conservation category tourism businesses must demonstrate their development has made a tangible contribution to the conservation of nature, including the protection of wildlife, expanding and restoring natural habitat and supporting biodiversity.
For the community benefit category, tourism initiatives must demonstrate direct benefits to local people, support for community development and enhancement for cultural heritage in the area.
Candidates in the destination stewardship category may represent a variety of tourism organisations that show success in maintaining a programme of sustainable tourism management at the destination level, incorporating social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits as well as multi-stakeholder engagement.
Last year’s winners included the Botswana Tourism Board in the destination stewardship category, Emirates Hotels & Resorts in the conservation category, Whale Watch Kaikoura, New Zealand in the community benefit category and Accor in the global tourism business category.
Costas Christ, the judges’ chairman said: “WTTC’s foremost awards, which include an international panel of expert judges and a rigorous on-site evaluation process, recognise and celebrate advances in sustainable best practices.”
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “For seven years, WTTC has had stewardship over the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
“The level of best practice showcased by winners and finalists during these years has been outstanding and truly inspiring and in keeping with the mission of WTTC to promote long-term prosperity and growth while balancing economic, cultures and our environment.”
Baumgarten has also highlighted World Tourism Day which is taking place today and urged the trade to support it.