WORLD TRAVEL MARKET TO HOST RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS FOR THIRD YEAR

Now in its twelfth year, Responsible Tourism Day at World Travel Market 2006 is to host the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards for the third year. The Awards, on the World Stage on Wednesday 8 November, kicks off a packed programme of events tackling key issues affecting the sector.

The Awards celebrate tourism ventures that make a positive contribution to conservation and the economies of local communities while minimising any negative impacts of tourism.

The Awards are organised by online travel agent responsibletravel.com, in association with World Travel Market, The Times, and Geographical Magazine – the magazine of The Royal Geographical Society.

Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director of World Travel Market said: "We are delighted to be playing host yet again to the Responsible Tourism Awards at an event that brings together over 202 destinations and 5,000 exhibitors to celebrate all that is best in the world’s travel and tourism industry. For the past twelve years World Travel Market has been at the forefront of the industry by dedicating a specific day to tackle the key issues relating to responsible tourism. These Awards, which attracted over 700 nominations last year, are an excellent example of how the sector has captured the imagination of not only the travel trade but holidaymakers who are becoming more aware of how their holidays impact on the local community and environment."

Justin Francis, co-founder of the online travel agent responsibletravel.com, organisers of the Awards, said: "We are looking for wonderful holidays run by

passionate tourism organisations who increase the ‘trickle down' of money

into local people's hands by thinking local when buying services and produce, and supporting local environmental projects."

Dermot Blastland, Executive Director of First Choice Holidays PLC said: "First Choice is delighted to be headline sponsor of these Awards for the 3rd consecutive year. Tourism can be a tremendous force for good, but the challenges of operating tourism sustainably remain significant. The Awards serve to showcase inspiring examples of companies and individuals who have achieved this tricky balance. Over the past year we have seen increased interest and engagement in responsible tourism amongst our own colleagues as well as across the wider industry: this is no longer the domain of just the niche market."

Nominations should be sent to awards@responsibletravel.com  and include the name and contact details of the nomination (website, e-mail, address and telephone number if possible), plus up to 100 words on why you believe they should win a responsible tourism award. The category of entry should also be specified (please see below). Nominations close on 11th August 2006.

Those individuals who nominate a category winner will be entered into a draw for a free 10 night Antarctic voyage with Peregrine Adventures and a long weekend for two at The Evergreen Bed & Breakfast in Inverfarigaig on the south side of Loch Ness. Full details can be found on www.responsibletravel.com/awards .

The categories are:

Best for Beach – sponsored by Bulgarian Dreams
Best for Mountain – sponsored by Bulgarian Dreams
Best Protected Area – sponsored by Airport Parking & Hotels
Best Tour Operator – sponsored by Haivenu Tours
Best Small Accommodation/hotel (<50 rooms) - sponsored by Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Best Larger Accommodation/hotel (>50 rooms) – sponsored by Rezidor SAS Hospitality
Best for Poverty Reduction
Best for Innovation/Technology
Best Transport Initiative – sponsored by Lonely Planet
Best for Conservation of Endangered Species – sponsored by Peregrine Adventures
Best Personal Contribution
Best Volunteering Organisation – sponsored by i-to-i
Best Destination – sponsored by Tourism New South Wales

The judging panel for the Awards include:
Harold Goodwin, Chair of Judges, and Director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism at the University of Greenwich
Cath Urquhart, Travel Editor, The Times
Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director, World Travel Market
Neel Inamdar, Ecotourism Business Advisor, Conservation International
Tricia Barnett, Director of Tourism Concern
Sue Hurdle, Director of The Travel Foundation
Debbie Hindle, Managing Director of BGB & Associates
Andy Cooper, Director General, FTO (Federation of Tour Operators)
Frances Tuke, PR Manager of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents)
Ian Reynolds, formerly of ABTA
Graeme Gourlay, Publisher, Geographical Magazine
Richard Hammond, Guardian Columnist and Media Consultant
Justin Francis, Managing Director, responsibletravel.com

June 15, 2006   Posted in: Travel Industry Info