A koala walking tour in Australia, a responsible luxury hotel in India, and a whole town in Ireland dedicated to disability awareness are among the organisations selected for the Shortlist of the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2014, sponsored by the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism. But who will take the top spot?
With just 11 categories to be won, as well as the much-coveted top spot of ‘Overall Winner’ 2014, the competition just got real for the finalists announced on the Shortlist today.
Following an intense debate on the Judging Day in London in September, an expert panel of 11 Judges from across the industry have finally selected their Shortlist of finalists from around the world, including organisations from Australia, Brazil, South Africa and the UK.
The full World Responsible Tourism Awards 2014 Shortlist:
- Adventure Alternative
- Campo and Parque dos Sonhos
- Casa de las Olas
- Cavan Town & Environs
- Chambal Safari Hotels Pvt Ltd
- Chole Mjini Conservation & Development Co
- Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours
- Festivals of Puebla
- Footsteps Eco Lodge
- Hotel Verde
- ITC Grand Chola
- Jurys Inn Brighton
- Kutch Adventures India
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
- Mdumbi Backpackers
- Native Charming Hotels and Accessible Tourism
- On Track Safaris
- South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA)
- Thomson Airways
- V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
- World Animal Protection
- GLP Films: Basecamp Foundation – Pioneering Sustainable Tourism in Kenya’s Masai Mara
- Travel Oregon: Communities Powered by Travel – John Day River Territory
- WWF – The Guardians
The winners will be announced in a special ceremony as part of the World Responsible Tourism Day celebrations at the World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, in London on Wednesday 05 November before a packed audience of the media, industry and responsible tourism professionals.
Commenting on the Shortlist, Justin Francis, founder of the Awards and managing director of organiser responsibletravel.com, said:
“Represented in this year’s Shortlist are some of the most trendsetting examples of responsible tourism in the world, and more than a few surprises too! From international animal welfare campaigning to serial entrepreneurship for poverty reduction, citizen science to cutting edge green technology – the Shortlist has a lot to say about where responsible tourism is going next.”
Reflecting on the decisions made on the Judging Day was Professor Harold Goodwin, Chair of the Judging Panel and Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism:
“This is not just the Judges’ Shortlist – it’s also yours; a reflection of the nominations and submissions made by the public this year. Each year we can only decide on the nominations you make, and the submissions we receive. For each finalist we’ve chosen, there are many others doing groundbreaking work we’re looking forward to seeing again next year. I’d like to thank all those who came forward to share their inspiring stories with the Judging Panel, and hope they’ll join in celebrating the winners in November.”
Looking forward to the ceremony is Alison Cryer, Director of Oman Ministry of Tourism, MBR office UK & Ireland:
“The Oman Ministry of Tourism would like to share their congratulations to all those selected by the Judges for the World Responsible Tourism Awards Shortlist this year. Like you, we will now be looking ahead to World Responsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market in November, where we will discover the winners and celebrate them in person.”
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Notes to editors
About the Awards
For more information on the World Responsible Tourism Awards visit www.worldresponsibletourismawards.com
Now in their 11th year, the World Responsible Tourism Awards are headline sponsored by the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism, and were founded in 2004 to celebrate the most inspiring stories in responsible tourism.
The Awards are organised by responsibletravel.com and ICRT (International Center for Responsible Tourism). The Awards ceremony is hosted by World Travel Market during its dedicated World Responsible Tourism Day, which this year takes place on Wednesday 05 November.
The event has the support of prominent mainstream media partners such as Metro, as well as industry broadcasters such as TTG (Scandinavia, Middle East and North Africa), Green Hotelier and Selling Long Haul.
This year, the Awards feature 11 categories covering a variety of topics, which reflect the hottest issues currently debated in the world or responsible and sustainable tourism.
About responsibletravel.com
responsibletravel.com is the world’s leading online travel agent for responsible holidays and a pioneer of responsible tourism. Started in 2001 with backing from Dame Anita Roddick of The Body Shop the site’s mantra is ‘travel like a local’. It sells holidays that are about more than just a brief stay somewhere – instead it is travel that offers a real connection with the people, the landscape, the culture, the food and the environment. It offers nearly 8,000 responsible holidays from over 800 holiday providers which all support communities and conservation. Handpicked local specialists provide authentic holidays for those seeking adventure, culture, or luxury whether travelling with family, joining a small group or looking for tailor-made experiences worldwide, in destinations as diverse as Portugal -http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/portugal, Thailand -http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/thailand/travel-guide/ and Tanzania -http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/tanzania
In addition responsibletravel.com:
– founded and organises The World Responsible Tourism Awards, celebrating 11 years at World Travel Market this year.
– campaigns for positive change in the travel and tourism industry, including releasing a consumer guide on the ethics of elephants in tourism – http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/elephant-conservation/travel-guide
– publishes an ever-increasing range of 2 minute travel guides.
CEO Justin Francis has been included in Courvoisiers The Future 500, Thames and Hudsons 60 Innovators Shaping Our Creative Future and taken his place on the Advisory Board of The International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The company is based in Brighton’s North Laine district, England.
About the Sultanate of Oman:
The Sultanate of Oman’s diverse landscape includes 3165 kilometres of pristine, sandy Indian ocean beaches, magnificent desert expanses, majestic fjords in Musandam in the far north, the striking Hajar Mountains, and the lush green valleys of Dhofar, in the south. Approximately the size of Germany Oman’s diverse natural biodiversity will leave you breathless.
Whether you have a passion for adventure, culture or luxury Oman has something for everyone. From diving and sailing to dolphin and turtle spotting the adventure possibilities are endless. Home of frankincense, Oman’s 6000 years of history includes four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 500 forts and castles, and the modern day Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Royal Opera House.
Oman air has a wide range of international flight connections to Oman’s capital city Muscat including daily non – stop flights from London Heathrow arriving 7 hours later in Muscat with a wide range of connecting flights to Salalah and Musandam.
Oman is committed to developing tourism that supports its local communities and also promotes cultural integrity and the protection of the environment, historic and cultural heritage. For more information visit www.omantourism.gov.om
Contact:
Alex Lyons
0784 2614731 (UK)
awards@responsibletravel.com