THE World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced its twelve finalists for the 2013 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry, recognising sustainable tourism best practices in businesses and destinations worldwide.
Chosen out of 46 countries, finalists in four categories were selected, ranging from entire countries, to global hotel groups, international airlines, luxury tour operators and small eco-lodges.
The chosen finalists for the Destination Stewardship nominees, who have successfully implemented a sustainable tourism programme at the destination level, incorporating social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits as well as multi-stakeholder engagement include: Peaks of the Balkans – Municipality of Peja, Kosovo, Sentosa Development Corporation, Singapore and Tourism Council of Bhutan, Bhutan.
The Global Tourism Business nominees, who represent international companies with at least 500 employees, and eight tourism enterprises in one or more countries, where achievements combine corporate success with sustainable tourism principles and practices include: Abercrombie & Kent, USA, Air New Zealand, New Zealand and ITC Hotels, India.
The Conservation Award nominees, who have made a direct and tangible contribution to the preservation of nature, including the protection of wildlife, expanding and restoring natural habitat, and supporting biodiversity conservation include: &Beyond, South Africa, The Bushcamp Company, Zambia and Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, Australia.
The Community Benefit Award nominees, whose companies and organisations directly benefit local people, supporting community development and enhancing cultural heritage include: Loola Adventure Resort, Indonesia, Siraj Center, Palestine and Ten Knots Development Corporation/El Nido Resorts, Philippines.
Finalists were selected by an international panel of independent judges chaired by Costas Christ, an internationally recognised expert on sustainable tourism. In the first stage of a comprehensive three step judging process, judges carefully evaluated and selected award entries that best demonstrate the protection of natural and cultural heritage, delivering social and economic benefits to local people, and engaging in environmentally friendly operations, as well as other established sustainable tourism criteria.
Unique among global sustainable tourism awards, the second phase of judging includes an on-site evaluation of each finalist carried out by international sustainable tourism experts who make in-depth first hand assessments of the organisations and businesses in practice.
David Scowsill, president and CEO of WTTC said: “Tourism for Tomorrow is built on the triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit. The awards finalists reflect financially successful businesses, which balance growing demand with shrinking natural resources, and reflect the contributions of employees and destination communities.
“For many years, our Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have helped showcase exactly those examples. Congratulations to our twelve finalists that are carrying the flag for sustainable practices.”
Winners and finalists will be recognised during a Gala evening at WTTC’s annual Global Summit, to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on April 9-10, 2013.