krissy - responsibletravel.com
Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:28:57 -0700
Hi all,
Below are details of the launch of The Responsible Tourism Awards 2008 ...
We look forward to your nominations!
Best wishes
Krissy and the team at responsibletravel.com
PRESS RELEASE : MONDAY 21 APRIL 2008
LAUNCH OF THE VIRGIN HOLIDAYS RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS 2008
**New cruise operator category for 2008**
Nominations are now open for the Responsible Tourism Awards 2008 sponsored by
Virgin Holidays. The Awards celebrate tourism ventures around the world that
make a positive contribution to conservation and the economies of local
communities.
Organised and founded by online travel directory responsibletravel.com
<http://www.responsibletravel.com/> , the Awards are once again run in
association with World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine (the magazine of
The Royal Geographical Society). This year, The Daily Telegraph is the Awards'
UK newspaper partner and Virgin Holidays is again the headline sponsor.
High profile support for the Awards
An array of celebrity and high profile commentators, including Michael Palin,
Ben Fogle, Pen Hadow, Alain de Botton and Rosie Boycott, has already offered
words of support for this year's Awards (see www.responsibletourismawards.com
<http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/> ).
Palin said:
"Getting to know more about each other remains one of the most important hopes
for the peaceful future of the planet. If we are really to understand each
other better, then we need to be reminded to travel carefully and thoughtfully,
listening to people along the way and respecting the world we are privileged to
travel through. The Responsible Tourism Awards are one of the most important
ways in which we can understand how to travel better."
Now in their fifth year, the Awards are the largest of their kind in the world,
with 13 categories receiving a total of over 1,700 nominations in 2007.
Justin Francis, co-founder of the online travel directory
responsibletravel.com, organisers and founders of the Awards, said:
"More and more destinations, travel ventures (both large and small), tourist
boards and travellers around the globe, are signing up to the concept of
responsible tourism. Not only is it a more enjoyable and authentic way to
travel but it is also the only way forward if travel is to have a sustainable
future. Our Awards aim to recognise and encourage the passionate pioneers who
are helping to bring about real, positive and lasting change in the tourism
industry."
New Best Responsible Cruise Operator category
New for 2008, is the Best Responsible Cruise Operator category. Commenting on
the introduction of this new category, Francis said:
"This brand new category for 2008 aims to reward those cruise (and ferry)
companies who are taking innovative steps to put responsible tourism at the
very core of their business - both environmentally speaking as well as
culturally and socially. Until more recently, these industry sectors have
escaped the scrutiny faced by others such as airlines and tour operators, but
we hope this Award will further encourage companies to ride the wave of change
."
How to nominate
Nominations should be made online at www.responsibletourismawards.com
<http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/> or by post to responsibletravel.com,
Pavilion House, 6 Old Steine, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1EJ, and include the
name and contact details of the nomination (website, email, address and
telephone number if possible), plus up to 200 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: Monday 16th June 2008
Win a prize holiday!
Those individuals who nominate a category winner will be entered into a draw to
win a 15 day tour of India with Real World Adventures by Virgin Holidays &
Intrepid Travel. Full details can be found on www.responsibletourismawards.com
<http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/>
Responsible Tourism Award categories
As in previous years, there are 13 categories in which to nominate:
1. Best responsible tour operator - sponsored by The Adventure Company
2. Best large accommodation - sponsored by Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
3. Best small accommodation - sponsored by VisitBrighton
4. Best in a mountain environment - sponsored by Exodus
5. Best in a marine environment
6. Best responsible cruise operator *New for 2008*
7. Best for low carbon transport or technology - sponsored by Maison de la
France
8. Best for conservation of endangered species or protected area -
sponsored by South Australian Tourism Commission
9. Best for conservation of cultural heritage - sponsored by Jamaica
Tourist Board
10. Best for poverty reduction
11. Best volunteering organisation
12. Best destination - sponsored by Conservation International
13. Best personal contribution
Words from our partners
Amanda Wills, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays said:
"Virgin Holidays enters its second year as headline sponsor of the 2008
Responsible Tourism Awards, and we are delighted. Recognising those in our
industry that put sustainability on the agenda and keep it there, mirrors our
own position as a tour operator taking an active role in shaping a sustainable
reality for travel.
We see these awards as an outward statement of our continued commitment to
sustainable tourism solutions, as new community projects, research and industry
partnerships drive our own efforts and progress behind the scenes at Virgin
Holidays."
Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market, the world's leading business
event for the international travel and tourism industry, which hosts the Awards
at London ExCeL, said that Wednesday 12 November - when the Responsible Tourism
Awards are announced - is a momentous day for travel and tourism, both in the
UK and globally.
"The presentation of the Awards coincides with WTM's World Responsible Tourism
Day, now in its second year and supported by the leading travel associations
worldwide. It's a signal that the international industry is undergoing a huge
step change, with recognition that action across the whole spectrum of tourism,
can and is making a real difference to the world in which we live.
"This follows a much bigger and growing change in people's thinking and social
conscience; that choosing a holiday is not just about the size of the swimming
pool or the charm of the locality, but also about how their presence may impact
on the local community, as well as the planet, be it positively or negatively."
Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, Daily Telegraph said:
"We have reached a point in our development where we can no longer travel
without conscience. Even those of us who are the most self-interested of
creatures, indifferent to the state of the planet, will have to shape up and
start travelling responsibly. Just the sight of the great cathedrals of ice at
the two poles melting and collapsing before our eyes should galvanise us into
action, and as the evidence continues to mount up it is clear that we no longer
have a choice."
Ends--------
Notes to editors:
For a full list of celebrity quotes and more information on the Responsible
Tourism Awards, go to www.responsibletourismawards.com
<http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/>
For stories and quotes from last year's winners click here
<http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/winners07stories.htm> or email [EMAIL
PROTECTED] Images of last year's winners and the presentation ceremony are also
available upon request.
The judging panel
The judging panel for the Responsible Tourism Awards 2008 is chaired by Harold
Goodwin, Professor of Responsible Tourism Management at Leeds Metropolitan
University & Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, and
includes:
Justin Francis, Managing Director, responsibletravel.com
Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, The Daily Telegraph
Fiona Jeffery, Chairman, World Travel Market
Graeme Gourlay, Publisher, Geographical Magazine
Tricia Barnett, Director, Tourism Concern
Andrew Cooper, Director General, Federation of Tour Operators (FTO)
Debbie Hindle, Managing Director, bgb communications
Sue Hurdle, Chief Executive, The Travel Foundation
Ian Reynolds, former Chief Executive of ABTA & Trustee of The Travel Foundation
Keith Richards, Head of Business Development and Consumer Affairs at ABTA
About responsibletravel.com:
responsibletravel.com <http://www.responsibletravel.com/> is an online travel
directory - based in Brighton, England - launched in 2001 for travellers who
want more real and authentic holidays that also benefit the environment and
local people. responsibletravel.com markets carefully pre-screened, handpicked
holidays from over 265 specialist operators and over 600 accommodations.
Media contact:
Krissy Pentland, Communications Manager
[EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
01273 648519 or 07717 348368
<http://www.mailshotmagic.com/> You have received this communication
because you are a member of the 'responsibletravel.com' subscriber list.
responsibletravel.com respects your privacy and will never disclose your
details to third parties.
Modify your details or unsubscribe
<http://www.mailshotmagic.com/subscription/profile.asp?i=295562&m=595&[EMAIL
PROTECTED]>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]