![\"WTTC](\"http:\/\/www.europarc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Tourism_Tomorrow_2016.jpg\")
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the 15 finalists for its 2016 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in the five categories; Community, Destination, Environment, Innovation and People. The 15 finalists, which were chosen after a rigorous judging process, showcase the highest level of sustainability practices within the Travel & Tourism sector.<\/p>\n
The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards program celebrates business leadership that works towards a more sustainable future of our sector by educating and inspiring governments, travelers and other tourism businesses.<\/p>\n
The 2016 Awards saw applications from 62 countries across all continents. Following the first phase of the three stage judging process all applications have now been carefully evaluated by a committee of independent expert judges against established sustainable tourism criteria, which include community development, preservation of cultural and natural heritage, and innovative solutions for sustainable practices.<\/p>\n
The second phase will see on-site evaluation of each Finalist by international sustainable tourism experts, assessing the organizations and the business practices they have highlighted in their application. Following the evaluations, the winners of each category will be chosen by a further panel of leading authorities in sustainability. The Winners will be announced during the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Ceremony at the 16th WTTC Global Summit in Dallas, Texas on April 7.<\/p>\n
Awards Lead Judge, Graham Miller, Professor of Sustainability in Business and Head of School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, The University of Surrey, said: \u201cThis year\u2019s finalists reflect the importance of knowledge in creating a more sustainable tourism industry. We have organizations who have created carbon calculators, methods of measuring impacts, developed new technology and really thought outside the traditional confines of the sector. There is still no shortage of passion and determination to drive forward sustainability, but working smarter through networks, partnerships and high level thinking mark the future for sustainable tourism.”<\/p>\n
The finalists of the 2016 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which is Headline sponsored by AIG Travel, are:<\/p>\n
Community Award finalists, whose organizations are committed to sustainable tourism leadership in local community development, empowerment and cultural heritage<\/p>\n
\u2022 Expediciones Sierra Norte, Pueblos Mancomunados, Mexico<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sapa O’Chau, Vietnam<\/p>\n
\u2022 Yayasan Ekowisata Indonesia, Indonesia<\/p>\n
Destination Award finalists, who show commitment to supporting and delivering sustainable tourism best practices in their destinations:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Parkstad Limburg, Netherlands<\/p>\n
\u2022 Swiss Parks Network, Switzerland<\/p>\n
\u2022 V&A Waterfront, South Africa<\/p>\n
Environment Award finalists, whose organizations and companies achieved environmental best practice through biodiversity conservation, protection of natural habitats, addressing climate change, and green operations:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Alcatraz Cruises, US<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lindblad Expeditions, US and worldwide<\/p>\n
\u2022 Wilderness Safaris, South Africa \/ Botswana<\/p>\n
Innovation Award finalists, who provided innovative solutions to overcoming the challenges faced by Travel & Tourism in implementing sustainability in practice:<\/p>\n
\u2022 ANVR, the Netherlands<\/p>\n
\u2022 Northsailing, Iceland<\/p>\n
\u2022 PWC, Travel Foundation & TUI Group, United Kingdom<\/p>\n
People Award finalists, who are dedicated to the development of capacity building, training and education to build a skilled tourism workforce for the future:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jus’ Sail, Saint Lucia<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kinyei International, Cambodia<\/p>\n
\u2022 Youth Career Initiative (YCI), United Kingdom<\/p>\n
The Winner Selection Committee is chaired by Fiona Jeffery OBE, Chair of the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and (also) includes:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Darrell Wade, Co-Founder and CEO, Intrepid Group, Australia<\/p>\n
\u2022 Hugh Riley, Secretary General, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Barbados<\/p>\n
\u2022 Stephanie Draper, Deputy Chief Executive, Forum for the Future, United Kingdom<\/p>\n
Fiona Jeffery OBE, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Chair said: It is great to see the depth and range of achievement the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are attracting. Greater innovation and longer term sustainable practices from right across the globe. We look to stretch the boundaries as an Awards Program recognizing and applauding true business leadership. It\u2019s so encouraging to see such inspiring work being exemplified in this way as it helps our industry improve and ensure it brings better business practices to a wider community.<\/p>\n
David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC said: \u201cTourism is a force for good and it is by sharing best practices and educating our peers about sustainability that we can ensure the growth of our sector is managed responsibly. The Awards, which are now in their 12th year, again will demonstrate how tourism businesses can bring positive change to communities by protecting livelihoods and the environment. The Awards Ceremony will again be broadcast online, allowing not only the delegates at the Summit but everyone around the world to hear the remarkable stories of the finalists.\u201d<\/p>\n
eTN is a media partner for WTTC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WTTC has announced 15 finalists for its 2016 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in 5 categories; Community, Destination, Environment, Innovation and People. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7810,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[266,131,675,16,130,287,534,573],"tags":[83],"yoast_head":"\n