Application still open until 2 December 2009 – Don’t miss your chance!

Each year, tourism companies, travel organisations and destinations from around the world submit entries for consideration by the renowned team of judges, who identify global leaders in sustainable tourism development to be recognised by the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. This year's deadline for applications is Wednesday 2 December 2009.

The Awards have gained international recognition and credibility thanks to a rigorous judging process. This includes a thorough review of each award application followed by an on-site evaluation of all Award finalists, conducted by a global panel of experts in sustainable tourism.

The judges on the Finalist Selection Committee for 2010 are:

• Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters & Associates, Australia
• Jena Gardner, President, JG Blackbook of Travel, and President, The Bodhi Tree Foundation, USA
• Erika Harms, Executive Director for Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation – World Heritage Alliance, USA/Costa Rica
• Marilú Hernández, President, Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya, Mexico
• Dr Janne J Liburd, Associate Professor and Director of Research, Centre for Tourism, Culture and Innovation, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
• Mahen Sanghrajka, Chairman, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, USA/Kenya
• Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya, Chief of Party, Uganda Sustainable Tourism Program, Uganda
• Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions (P) Ltd, India
• Shannon Stowell, President, Adventure Travel Trade Association, USA
• Jamie Sweeting, Vice President, Environmental Stewardship and Global Chief Environmental Officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises, USA
• Albert Teo, Managing Director, Borneo Eco Tours, Malaysia
• Mei Zhang, Founder, Wildchina, China

This internationally acclaimed panel includes representatives of the public and private sectors, as well as media and academia. Its members will review and select a shortlist of finalists in each of the four Award categories to move to the second stage of the judging process, during which on-site inspections will take place. Following the third stage of judging, a final Panel will choose the winner for each category.

Members of the Winners' Selection Committee are:

• Costas Christ, Chairman of the Judges, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, USA
• Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, Telegraph Media Group, UK
• Fiona Jeffery, Chairman, World Travel Market & Just A Drop, UK
• Michael Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Belize

For more information on the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards judges, click here.

Winner of the 2009 Community Benefit Award – Zakoura Foundation for Micro Credits, Morocco

Judges’ Verdict: Zakoura Foundation for Micro Credit is a Moroccan based not-for-profit organisation. Its main mission is to fight poverty and develop civic spirit through financial and non-financial programmes that specifically target vulnerable populations from both rural and urban areas who do not have access to conventional financial services. In 2003, Zakoura launched its Rural Tourism programme. The main goal is to give opportunity to people to diversify and to increase their incomes by creating or developing tourist activity in rural areas.

“The Tourism for Tomorrow Award means for Fondation Zakoura Micro Crédit a special and meaningful reward, since it is the symbol of the recognition by the tourism sector of the impact of micro credit and accompaniment programs to serve poor micro entrepreneurs.” Says Zoubida Mseffer, Programme Manager, Rural Tourism Programme at Zakoura Foundation. “It’s also the recognition of their daily efforts to develop an activity with community benefits while defending a responsible tourism.”
www.zakourafondation.org
 

Thursday 12 November - 11.00am - 1.00pm, ExCeL London

Attend WTM Vision - The Global Economic Forum, with a line-up of respected speakers and hosted by former BBC financial journalist Peter Hobday, is essential to capitalise on the anticipated financial upturn in 2010 or 2011. Delegate will receive for free the Euromonitor Global Travel and Tourism Forecast Restatement One year on from the Crisis (worth £400).

Join your colleagues from: Deloitte, Caribbean Tourism Organisation, American Airlines, Advantage Travel Centres, Expedia, Google and Virgin Holidays.
Register via www.wtmlondon.com/gef before Friday 6 November to benefit from the Early Bird Discount and only pay £95.
 

• Global Eco, 9-11 November 2009, Alice Springs, Australia - www.globaleco.com.au
• World Travel Market, 9-12 November 2009, London, UK - www.wtmlondon.com
• Adventures in Travel Expo, 9-10 January 2010, Chicago, USA - www.adventureexpo.com
• Hotel Investment Forum India, 12-14 January 2010, Mumbai, India - www.HIFI-India.com
• The Americas Lodging Investment Summit, 25-27 January 2010, San Diego, USA - www.alisconference.com
 

You can follow the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards online. Just visit our comprehensive website www.tourismfortomorrow.com which contains case studies of previous winners and finalists available for complimentary download and much more information about the Awards, the Judges and our Partners.

Watch the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/wttc or join our Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Facebook group.
 

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are endorsed by WTTC Members, as well as other organisations and companies. They are organised in association with two Strategic Partners: Travelport and The Leading Travel Companies' Conservation Foundation. Other sponsors/supporters include: Adventures in Travel Expo, BEST Education Network, Breaking Travel News, the Daily Telegraph, Friends of Nature, the Rainforest Alliance, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Sustainable Travel International, Tony Charters & Associates, Travesias, TTN Middle East, USA Today and the World Heritage Alliance.

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