Please post to the Green-Travel Network From: Dave Wiggins d.wigg...@comcast.net
Ecoventura is the winner of Conde Nast Traveler's (CNT) 15th Annual World Savers Award in the category of Cruise Lines, announced Santiago Dunn, Ecoventura president. This award recognizes Ecoventura's ongoing mission to be the pacesetter for responsible tourism in the Galapagos Islands. Dunn will be on hand to accept the award on Sept. 21 at the third annual Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Congress at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. The Congress expects to draw some 200 CEOs of major travel industry companies. "It's wonderful to be recognized for our past efforts but our groundbreaking work on setting the bar for responsible tourism in the Galapagos has just begun," reflected Dunn. He has been instrumental in addressing a variety of environmental issues that have put the Galapagos on UNESCO's World Heritage sites at risk list in 2007, citing the introduction of alien species and the negative impact of growing tourism and immigration as key problems. "Ironically," said Dunn, "booming tourism in the Galapagos has added to the challenges and problems faced by those looking to restore and protect the island's native species and ecological balance." Ecoventura's focus on ameliorating conditions in the Galapagos yielded the company the highest score of 90 points in the category of Cruise Line from the panel of judges. The company was noted as outstanding in four distinct areas: · Education: For granting scholarships to Ecuadorian students interested in environmental and marine conservation. · Poverty: For funding a micro-enterprise for fishermen's wives helping convert a boat into a restaurant & boutique. · Preservation: For operating the first hybrid power yacht in the Galapagos with solar panels & wind turbines that reduced carbon emissions by 10%. · Health: Paying the salaries of physical therapists and sign-language teachers at a school in Galapagos. CNT honors travel companies from around the world for their leadership in social responsibility in five key areas: poverty alleviation, cultural and/or environmental preservation, education programs, wildlife conservation and health initiatives. The magazine's panel of 21 judges represented academics, CEOs and philanthropists. To Read the full press release, go to: http://tinyurl.com/lb6mzt For more information on Ecoventura you can log onto www.ecoventura.com/.
