Three companies and one destination from four continents have been recognized for their best practices in sustainable tourism at this year’s World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The four winners were selected from 12 Award finalists and announced during the WTTC Global Summit in Tokyo, Japan on April 17.
The WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are among the highest accolades in the Travel & Tourism industry, and recognize companies, organizations and destinations around the world which showcase outstanding sustainable tourism achievements.
The 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards winners hail from South America, North America, Europe, and Asia, WYYC says, selected from over 150 entries from more than 60 countries.
The winners are:
Community Benefit Award: Saunders Hotel Group, USA This local family-owned hotel group has been a leader in sustainable tourism practices as far back as the early 1980s.
Conservation Award: Inkaterra, Peru This hotel boasts long term conservation stewardship of 38,000 acres of rainforest in the Amazon basin and 25 acres of cloud forest within the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary.
Destination Stewardship Award: Destination Røros, Norway Their successful multi-stakeholder approach to creating a thriving sustainable tourism destination in the old mining town of Røros, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an example for many to follow, WTTC says.
Global Tourism Business Award: Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Singapore WTTC cites their longstanding commitment to sustainability and creating tourism value recognition among stakeholders to support the protection of diverse natural and cultural heritage in worldwide destinations ranging from Mexico to China.
David Scowsill, president & CEO, WTTC, said: ‘The Awards have been under WTTC’s stewardship for the last nine years. Since then, they have grown in calibre and reach, but the premise is the same: to give international recognition to outstanding examples of sustainable practices, from Travel & Tourism businesses across the globe.’
The Tourism for Tomorrow winners underwent a rigorous four-step judging process by more than 20 independent judges from around the world. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are organised in association with Travelport and the Travel Corporation's Conservation Foundation.
Visit www.tourismfortomorrow.com