Abta has been shortlisted for a Tourism for Tomorrow award in the innovation category.
The association’s report on global welfare guidance for animals in tourism is one of three finalists up for an innovation award.
The 2015 World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow awards finalists cover five categories ranging from community and destination to environment and people.
The winners will be announced during the 15th WTTC Global Summit in Madrid on April 15-16.
Awards lead judge, Graham Miller, professor of sustainability in business and head of school of hospitality and tourism Management, the University of Surrey, said: “The calibre of applications this year was exceptionally high and the judges were particularly excited by the diversity of organisations who applied.
“This year, the finalists include excellent examples of a slum tour, city and accessible tourism, as well as eco-lodges which have been leading the way in sustainable tourism development for many years.”
WTTC president and chief executive, David Scowsill, added: “It is vital that we learn best practice from each other and raise the sector’s ethics to the highest order.
“The awards, now in their 11th year, showcase the companies and organisations who are breaking new ground in sustainable tourism development.
“This year’s finalists demonstrate that, when carefully managed, tourism can be a powerful force for improving livelihoods and protecting our planet for future generations. We want their stories to inspire others in the sector to follow their example.
“This year, for the first time, the ceremony will be live-streamed so that not only our delegates but the world at large will be able to hear the winners’ stories first hand.”
Finalists are:
Community Award – whose organisations are committed to sustainable tourism leadership in local community development, empowerment and cultural heritage
- Fenyan Ecolodge, Jordan
- Grootbos Nature Reserve, South Africa
- Reality Tours & Travel, India
Destination Award – who show commitment to supporting and delivering sustainable tourism best practices in their destinations:
- Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Northeast and Yilan Coast, Taiwan
- Sozopol, Bulgaria
Environment Award – whose organisations and companies achieved environmental best practice through biodiversity conservation, protection of natural habitats, addressing climate change, and green operations:
- Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve, Guatemala
- Rivers Fiji, Fiji
- Soneva Group, Maldives and Thailand
Innovation Award – who provided innovative solutions to overcoming the challenges faced by Travel & Tourism in implementing sustainability in practice:
- Abta Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism, United Kingdom
- Red Sustainable Travel, Mexico
- TripAdvisor GreenLeaders, USA
People Award – who are dedicated to the development of capacity building, training and education to build a skilled tourism workforce for the future.
- Confortel, Spain
- Global Travel & Tourism Partnership, USA
- Mountain Shepherds Initiative, India