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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is now inviting tourism companies and organisations from around the world that can demonstrate best practice in sustainable tourism development to submit their applications for the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 2 December 2009.
To quote Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of WTTC: “The Awards, now in their sixth year under WTTC’s stewardship, exemplify the Council's multi-stakeholder vision set out in the Blueprint for New Tourism that looks beyond short-term considerations and focuses on benefits not only for the people who travel, but also for people in the communities they visit, and for their respective natural, social and cultural environments.”
“The Travel & Tourism industry as a whole has radically changed the way it views sustainability, moving it from the sidelines to centre stage,” says Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
The finalists and winners will:
- be publicly recognised and will meet government and industry leaders at the Awards ceremony which takes place at WTTC’s annual Global Travel & Tourism Summit
- receive outstanding, international media exposure thanks to WTTC’s extensive media partnerships
- be endorsed by a panel of judges comprising internationally acclaimed experts in sustainable tourism.
www.tourismfortomorrow.com/apply
The Awards are determined in four different categories:
- Destination Stewardship Award: This award goes to a destination – country, region, state, or town – which comprises a network of tourism enterprises and organisations that show dedication to, and success in, maintaining a programme of sustainable tourism management at the destination level, incorporating social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects as well as multi-stakeholder engagement.
- Conservation Award: Open to any tourism business, organisation or attraction, including lodges, hotels, or tour operators, able to demonstrate that their tourism development and operations have made a tangible contribution to the conservation of natural heritage.
- Community Benefit Award: This award is for a tourism initiative that has effectively demonstrated direct benefits to local people, including capacity building, the transfer of industry skills, and support for community development.
- Global Tourism Business Award: Open to any large company from any sector of Travel & Tourism – cruise lines, hotel groups, airlines, tour operators, etc – with at least 200 full-time employees and operating in more than one country or in more than one destination in a single country, this award recognises best practices in sustainable tourism at a large company level.
NatureAir won in the Conservation Award category in 2009.
Alex Khajavi, CEO of NatureAir says: "This is the only award in tourism that carries with it an on-site required verification audit, that means credibility and integrity. In an age where everyone claims to be sustainable, the WTTC award has given us instant credibility with our external partners as well as our internal team members. This award inspired the entire company to pursue more sustainable programmes, it was nice for everyone to share a little in the glory. We are honoured for the recognition."
Judges’ Verdict:
This domestic airline takes on a bold approach to conservation by committing itself to complete carbon neutral operations through engaging customers in a non-voluntary carbon off-set scheme. To ensure that NatureAir's calculation of the volume of emissions is relevant to each flight, the company calculates the total for all flights flown in the previous 12 months. The volume of emissions is calculated by a detailed greenhouse gas lifecycle assessment. Furthermore, NatueAir has helped develop Costa Rica’s only alternative fuelling station, Aerotica. Through this programme NatureAir is able to fuel its company vehicles and equipment using 100% bio-diesel (a mix of vegetable oils and recycled cooking oils). Furthermore, NatureAir’s efforts are frequently audited by independent third parties, demonstrating integrity and accountability. This conservation business approach is a
role model for small airlines globally.
www.natureair.com
The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards now have a brand new Facebook Group where you can find photos, videos and recent news in addition to our comprehensive website.
To join the group, click here.
Susann Kruegel
Manager, e-Strategy and Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
World Travel & Tourism Council
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7481 8007
Email: Susann.kruegel@wttc.org
Web: www.tourismfortomorrow.com
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