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Posted - May 14 2007 : 08:08:47 AM
Green is the colour of new face of travel
The winners of the seventh Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which recognise outstanding commitment to sustainable tourism, were announced in Lisbon last night.
Widely considered to be the foremost accolade for sustainable tourism, the awards were presented by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) - a coalition of chairmen and chief executives from all sectors of the industry. The winners of the four global categories were spread across four continents: the Aspen Skiing Company in the US; Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; Swedish-owned Lindblad Expeditions; and Indonesia's Nihiwatu Resort.
As concern grows about the impact of aviation on the environment (see below), the commitment of travel companies to sustainable tourism is coming under ever closer scrutiny. As a result the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have grown in stature since their inception in 1989, with the number of entries increasing every year. In 2003, 74 entries were received from 36 countries. This year the figure has nearly doubled to 130 applicants from some 40 countries.
"The awards are a powerful vehicle to promote best practice across the industry," said Costas Christ, chairman of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce who led this year's judging panel. "They build broader awareness of sustainable tourism among governments, private sector and the travelling public."
The judging panel included Brian Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International in the US, Oliver Hillel, programme officer for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Canada, Dr Peter Burns of the Centre for Tourism Policy Studies at Brighton University, Michelle White, director of Environmental Affairs at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Graham Boynton, group travel editor of the Telegraph Media Group.
Destination Award
Open to village and country alike, for dedication and success in maintaining a policy of sustainable management.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia
The marine park is the world's largest World Heritage site, one third of which is now fully protected - the result of patient negotiation, new standards and initiatives introduced by the park over several decades. The reserve maintains a delicate balance between supporting tourist activities and lessening the impact they have on the environment - achieved largely through monitoring the number of permits and licences, and the education of local fishermen and tourists.
Judges' verdict: "Enormous progress has been made to involve a very complex tourism industry in the management of very large marine conservation area."
Conservation award
For a tourism business, organisation or attraction that has, as a result of sustainable travel and tourism development, made a significant contribution to the conservation and preservation of nature or cultural heritage.
Aspen Skiing Company, United States
The ski resort launched a self-financed environmental programme in 1997. Initiatives range from the use of environmentally friendly wood, and solar and hydro-electric power, to the installation of a wind-powered ski lift.
Judges' verdict: "The efforts of one company's initiative to address its own global warming impact is literally helping to change the world."
Global tourism business award
For an enterprise that has demonstrated sound environmental operation, education of guests, support of preservation and partnerships between private and public sectors.
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions has long advocated sustainable tourism. It takes about 16,000 travellers each year on conservation voyages to destinations from the Galapagos and Antarctica to Mexico and Alaska.
Judges' verdict: "Not only has the company taken a lead in helping to preserve some of the planet's most fragile destinations, it has also created and implemented successful business models that support sustainable tourism development."
Investor in people award
For a tourism initiative that has demonstrated a commitment to developing the careers and education of employees to benefit the local community.
Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia
The owners set up the Sumba Foundation to channel tourist-generated donations into community development projects that would directly benefit the local population - helping to improve living conditions and dramatically reduce malaria rates.
Judges' verdict: "In terms of collaboration between [business] and the local community, Nihiwatu and the Sumba Foundation is one of the best models in Indonesia, and the idea to develop an endowment fund through the Sumba Foundation is the best strategy to achieve the sustainability of the programme."
link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/05/12/etgreen112.xml
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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