TRAVEL and tourism is the greatest catalyst for large scale conservation around the world, and as such those in the industry have to simultaneously look at all the issues affecting it, says Costas Christ, chairman of the judging committee for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2010.
“The best way to put this is to quote the new president of the US, who said, ‘if an industry leader isn’t capable of dealing with more than one complex issue at a time then they are not a leader’ – in our context this means that while we are working to get travel and tourism right in terms of its practices, we have to also be acting on other stages too, including reducing our global emissions.”
“Without the travel industry, a conservation nightmare would be unleashed,” he said, and that was why the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards were introduced - to recognise and applaud companies that practice sustainable tourism and are in effect “getting it right”.
Any profit or non-profit tourism business or organisation which has been in operation for at least three full years and can prove it has a responsible business model plus sustainable practices, including providing opportunities to local communities and protecting the region’s natural and cultural attributes, can apply for this award, the deadline for applications being December 2, 2009.
All applicants have to do is fill in a form, after which they will be contacted and questioned thoroughly via a stringent judging process that follows a three-step approach. Said Christ: “They are the only global accolade in the field of sustainable travel practices that includes an on-site verification process. This is really the signature key of these awards.”
Application is free and the there are four categories. The Destination Stewardship Award goes to a country, region, state or town that comprises a network of tourism outlets which demonstrate a successful programme of sustainable tourism management.
The Conservation Award is open to any tourism business or attraction, including lodges, hotels or tour operators, able to prove their product has contributed to the conservation of a natural heritage. The Community Benefit Award is for a tourism initiative that has effectively demonstrated direct benefits to local people, and the Global Tourism Business Award is open to any large company of at least 200 employees from any sector of the travel and tourism industry including hotel groups, cruise lines, airlines and tour operators.
This year applications came from more than 40 countries and the 12 finalists were selected by a team of independent judges, of which Christ is the chairman.
More entrants from the Middle East were urged to come forward.
By Cheryl Mandy