WTTC Reveals Best Practice Finalists

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. October 14, 2008

JANUARY 26, 2007. The World Travel & Tourism Council has announced the 12 finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2007.

Tourism businesses and initiatives from all over the world were encouraged to apply for these prestigious Awards, which represent the highest accolade for best practice in Travel & Tourism development.

An international committee of experts selected the 12 finalists from over 130 applications from more than 40 countries representing Travel & Tourism on all seven continents. Costas Christ, Judging Chairman of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and an internationally recognized expert in sustainable tourism said: "With rigorous evaluation standards and detailed criteria, the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have become the "Oscars" of Travel & Tourism industry. Today that means not only providing an outstanding tourism product but doing so in a way that helps to protect the cultural and natural heritage of our planet. The finalist selection committee judges were particularly inspired to see an increasing number of enterprises this year that are demonstrating environmentally and socially responsible tourism from large-scale ski resorts to small ecolodges".

The finalists for each category are, in alphabetical order:

DESTINATION AWARD

Great Barrier Reef, Australia - www.gbrmpa.gov.au / Greenbox Trading As Responsible Tourism, Ireland - www.greenbox.ie / The State of Vermont, USA - www.VermontVacation.com

CONSERVATION AWARD

Aqua-Trek, Fiji Islands and USA - www.aquatrek.com / Aspen Skiing Company, USA - www.aspensnowmass.com / Caiman Ecological Refuge, Brazil - www.caiman.com.br

INVESTOR IN PEOPLE AWARD

10 Knots Development Corporation / El Nido Resorts, Philippines - www.elnidoresorts.com / Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia - www.nihiwatu.com / Sunderbans Jungle Camp, India - email: helptourismkolkata@gmail.com

GLOBAL TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD

Lindblad Expeditions, USA and Global - www.expeditions.com / Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Thailand and Global - www.sixsenses.com / Wilderness Safaris, South Africa - www.wilderness-safaris.com

Winners will receive their prestigious Award during a special ceremony at the Gala Dinner of the 7th Global Travel & Tourism Summit on 11 May, 2007 in Lisbon Portugal. The selection of finalists and winners is in-depth and unique as Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director of Ibex Expeditions, India explains: "Ever since I have been judging these awards, I am delighted to see the quality of the projects improve consistently. The unique feature of a site visit of the finalists to verify the on-ground situation makes it a well thought out Award. I am sure these role models in sustainable and responsible tourism actions will do our tourism industry proud so we can all hold our heads high and do our bit to make the world a better place."

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of WTTC said: "With a forecasted growth of 10% of world GDP over the next 10 years and a total employment of amore than 230 million jobs worldwide, Travel & Tourism has huge economic effects even on communities in remote areas. Therefore, we are encouraged about the growing number of participants in the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and the commitment shown by enterprises across the world to responsible tourism development. Providing sustainable livelihood is a long-term goal and we are delighted to honour the world's leading examples of where this goal is actually being pursued."

The Awards are sponsored by several WTTC Members and other organizations, including British Airways, Espirito Santo Tourism, Opodo, Reed Travel Exhibitions, TAP Air Portugal, as well as by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Adventure Travel Expo. Media sponsors include 4Hoteliers, BBC World, E-Turbo News, The Daily Telegraph, National Geographic Adventure, Newsweek, Simon & Baker Travel Review, Travelmole, Travel Weekly and WOW Travel.