The first line-up of shortlisted candidates for the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards, presented by WTM, is revealed today (Tuesday July 24).
More than 70 nominations have been shortlisted for the prestigious awards scheme celebrates the very best of travel and tourism on a global scale, recognising the outstanding successes of destinations, tourist boards, private sector companies and individuals.
The winners will be announced to an audience of more than 500 leading industry figures – including government ministers – during a prestigious awards ceremony at London’s Grade I-listed Tobacco Dock, not far from WTM London’s ExCeL venue on Tuesday November 6
A distinguished panel of independent judges has assessed the first tranche of categories and the contenders have been unveiled.
The awards were co-chaired by Marcelo Risi, UNWTO Chief of Communications, and Nick Pilbeam, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Divisional Director. Expert judges were drawn from top industry organisations including London & Partners, Euromonitor International, public relations body PRCA, Global Wellness Institute, Association of Southern African Travel Agents, and LGBT consultancy Out Now.
Paul Nelson, International Travel & Tourism Awards co-founder, said: “We have been delighted with both the volume and quality of the entries for the International Travel & Tourism Awards.
“Entries have come from countries right across the world – from destinations as diverse as Toronto, Zagreb, Jordan and Northern Ireland – and they demonstrate how tourism is playing a vital role in the economies of different cities and regions.
“Our judges have been greatly impressed by the exceptional quality of entries, and those who are on the shortlist know they have reached a very high standard – they will be among the best in the world.”
The first categories to have shortlists unveiled are listed below, with the second wave of remaining categories to be released soon.
• Best Regional or City Campaign
This category is sponsored by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), the world’s first international tourism organisation focusing on cities.
Advent in Zagreb by Zagreb Tourist Board
After-Rain Ads by DEC BBDO on behalf of Canary Islands Tourism
Come Together Campaign by Marketing Manchester
Live Inspired by Kerala Tourism
The Mud Solider by VisitFlanders
The Views are Different Here Campaign by Tourism Toronto
Visit Greenwich Digital Marketing Campaign by Visit Greenwich
• Best Tourism Marketing Agency
ExtraJordanary – reinvigorating tourism to Jordan by Brighter Group, A Finn Partners Company
MAMMA MIA! The Musical – Tourism Marketing Campaign Jan 2016 – Dec 2017 by Made Tourism Marketing on behalf of Littlestar Services
Ras Al Khaimah – Beyond A Journey by PR MEDIACO
Supporting World Bee Day: Bringing Slovenian api tourism to the world stage by AM+A Marketing and Media Relations
The Unique Inova Approach by Inova Hospitality Management
• Most Innovative Use of Technology Within a Destination
Global Pocket Wifi by Hong Kong uCloudlink Network Technology Ltd
Google Trekker South Africa by South African Tourism and Drive South Africa
Kyiv City Guide by Kyiv City Tourist and Information
Vegas: Alter Your Reality by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Walk On Walk Off – Flexible Tour Pass by Walks and City Connect
Yas Connect by Miral Asset Management
• Best Digital Influencer in the Industry
Castle Hostels Campaign (#CastleHostels) by Family Adventure Project, Budget Traveller and Jugenderberge.de
City Break Travel Blog by in a city near you
Louisiana Road Trip with Baby by Inside the Travel Lab and TTM World – New Orleans & Company / Louisiana Office of Tourism in the UK and Ireland
Vagabrothers by Vagabrothers Productions Ltd
Sustainable Tourism Blog by Viajar Verde
• Best in LGBT Tourism
Geotourist and AARP GLBT History Tour of Capitol Hill by AARP and Geotourist
Israel LGBT Awards by Israel Tourist Office
• Best Food Destination
A Taste of West Cork Food Festival by A Taste of West Cork and Cork County Council
Catalonia European Region of Gastronomy 2016 (CREG’16) by Catalan Tourist Board (CTB)
Northern Ireland – Year of Food and Drink 2016 by FoodNI Ltd
TXOTX! by Gipuzkoa Provincial Council
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About World Travel Market
World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises six leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7 billion of industry deals. The events are:
WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £3.1 billion of travel industry contracts. http://london.wtm.com/. Next event: 5-7 November 2018 – London.
Travel Forward is a new travel technology event co-located with WTM London 2018 and part of the WTM portfolio of events. The inaugural Travel Forward conference, exhibition and buyer programme will take place on 5–7 November 2018 at ExCeL London, showcasing next-generation technology for travel and hospitality. http://travelforward.wtm.com/.
WTM Latin America attracts about 9,000 senior executives and generates about US$374 million of new business. Taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this show attracts a global audience to meet and shape the direction of the travel industry. More than 8,000 unique visitors attend the event to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry news. http://latinamerica.wtm.com/. Next event: 2-4 April 2019 – Sao Paulo.
WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. Nearly 5,000 travel industry professionals attend Africa’s leading inbound and outbound travel and tourism market. WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors. http://africa.wtm.com/.
Next event: 10-12 April 2019 – Cape Town.
Arabian Travel Market is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2018 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, with representation from 141 countries over the four days. The 25th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre. To find out more, please visit: www.arabiantravelmarketwtm.com.
Next event: 28 April-1 May 2019 – Dubai.
About Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face-to-face through data and digital tools at more than 500 events a year, in more than 43 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. Reed’s events are held in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.
About Reed Travel Exhibitions
Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism events organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether they are global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have more than 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.
More information, please contact:
Paul Nelson – WTM Portfolio PR Manager
T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510
Natalia Hartmann – WTM Portfolio PR Executive
E: natalia.hartmann@reedexpo.co.uk
T: +44 (0)20 8439 5535/ M: +44 (0)74 0336 7331