To submit a nomination, go to www.responsibletourismawards.com/nominations
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Carbon emissions, climate change, vanishing wildlife, declining cultures and
languages, polluted oceans... you could be forgiven for thinking that, in
order to minimise your impact on the world around you, you should never go
on holiday again.
The good news is that many people in the travel industry are worried about the
same issues, and are working hard to change things. And, with the launch of
the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, you can give these companies
and individuals valuable recognition for their efforts by making a
nomination and doing your bit to make travel a greener, cleaner, more
responsible business.
The awards, now in their fourth year, recognise organisations and individuals
in the travel industry that have a positive effect on destinations and the
people who live there.
They can do this by offering holidays that have direct benefits for local
communities, the environment, and wildlife and conservation projects. And
while the awards this year will have a category focusing on low-carbon
technology, responsible tourism is about a lot more than cutting down on our
emissions. It’s about making sure that local people gain employment and
financial benefit from tourism, and that local cultures, habitats, wildlife
and traditions are protected and supported.
Since the launch of the awards in 2004, interest has grown hugely. Last year,
nominations almost doubled to 1,200.
Justin Francis, co-founder of the online travel agency responsibletravel.com,
which organises the awards, says: “We are delighted to launch our fourth
annual Responsible Tourism Awards, the biggest of their kind in the world.
“With Times' readers help, we’ll seek out tourism ventures
providing the greatest benefit to local communities while reducing local
cultural and environmental impacts.”
With concerns over airline emissions still growing, Francis believes that
responsible tourism has never been more relevant. “Of course, we all need to
think carefully about how much we fly. But when we do decide to fly, it is
more important than ever that we choose a holiday that is doing its best to
reduce carbon emissions and help local people.”
One of the most encouraging aspects of the awards is their diversity and
inclusiveness: past winners have ranged from small-scale projects in poor,
remote areas to international hotel chains and even airlines — all of which
make concerted, long-term efforts to reduce emissions and bring benefits to
the areas in which they operate. It’s a reflection of how the tourism
industry is now taking these issues seriously.
This year the awards have a new headline sponsor, Virgin Holidays. Its
managing director, Amanda Wills, believes that the importance of
sustainability in tourism has never been greater — several Virgin companies
are financing research to develop sustainable sources of energy.
“We are proud to be associated with awards that provide recognition to
individuals and businesses whose success in pioneering social and
environmental responsibility acts as inspiration to others,” she says.
So if you have been particularly impressed by a travel company or tourism
project that adopts a responsible policy in some way, we want to hear from
you. You can nominate in any one of 13 categories, anywhere in the world.
Your nomination not only rewards people trying to make a positive difference
but also sends the right message out to the travel industry at large, at
home and abroad.
To encourage you to enter, we have two fantastic prizes on offer. The winners
will be chosen from those who have nominated any of the winners in any
category, and are the first to have their names drawn. I-to-i
is offering a fantastic 14-day tour of Uganda, which includes visits to
Bujagali Falls, the Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Ssese islands,
while the Adventure Company is offering an action-packed 19-day tour of
Nepal, with cycling, trekking and white-water rafting.
The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards are run by responsibletravel.com
with The Times, the industry trade show World Travel Market, and
Geographical, the magazine of the Royal Geographical Society.
A panel of 13 judges, which includes leading experts in responsible tourism,
will draw up a longlist from your nominations, interview the finalists and
select the winners in each category. The winners will be announced at the
World Travel Market and revealed in The Times on November 17.
Last year’s joint overall winner was Ol Malo in Samburuland, Kenya, an
eco-lodge that runs a medical trust to provide care to local people. It
aims, in particular, to eradicate trachoma, a major cause of blindness, in
the area.
Julia Francombe, Ol Malo’s founder, says of the award: “It is fantastic to be
recognised by an internationally acclaimed awards scheme, and to be able to
display the award logo — it’s rather like having a Michelin star! The award
has also provoked donor interest in our trust.”
Responsible travel is here to stay, and it’s never been more important to
support it. So log on or pick up your pen to nominate –— and make a
difference.
Win a holiday to Uganda or Nepal
Nominate a winner in the Responsible Tourism Awards and you will be entered
into a prize draw, and could win one of two fantastic holidays.
On the first, offered by i-to-i,
you and a friend will join a 14-day group tour of Uganda, visting the
Bujagali Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will also spend time
in the remote village of Nyakasiru to give English lessons at the local
school, before going on to relax in the beautiful Ssese islands.
The prize includes accommodation and flights. The trip must be taken between
November 2007 and the end of June 2008; insurance is compulsory (and can be
purchased through i-to-i). Extra optional activities are not included in the
tour; January tours are excluded.
The other prize for a lucky winner and a companion is from The
Adventure Company. Starting in Kathmandu, this 19-day tour takes in
cycling, a seven-day trek and white-water rafting on the Seti River, before
finishing with a jungle safari in a wildlife reserve. The prize includes
activities, flights and accommodation, and must be taken by the end of
October 2008.
Award categories
The organisers of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards believe that
all types of tourism, from niche to mainstream, can be operated in a way
that respects and benefits destinations and local people. You can vote for a
company or individual in the following categories:
1. An organisation related to a beach or other marine environment, such
as turtle conservation or a marine ecotourism trip.
2. An organisation related to a mountain environment, such as an
eco-friendly ski resort or a trip that contributes to the welfare of
mountain porters. Award sponsored by Blacks
3. An organisation related to a protected area (eg, national park) such
as a wildlife safari or a rainforest trip that supports conservation and
maintains the rights of indigenous people. Award sponsored by Conservation
International
4. A tour operator that acts responsibly towards the environment and
local people. Award sponsored by The
Adventure Company
5. A hotel, lodge or other accommodation of fewer than 50 rooms that is
run with the environment and needs of local people in mind.
6. A hotel, lodge or other accommodation of more than 50 rooms that is
run with the environment and needs of local people in mind.
7. An organisation that acts to reduce poverty among communities.
8. An organisation or initiative that is developing or promoting
low-carbon transport or technology.
9. A tourism organisation or initiative working to protect and promote
cultural heritage.
10. A group or initiative working for the conservation of endangered
species.
11. A person who has made an outstanding contribution to responsible
tourism. Award sponsored by the Canadian
Tourism Commission
12. An organisation offering volunteering opportunities, such as the
chance to work on conservation or social projects. Award sponsored by Lonely
Planet
13. A resort, village or country that manages tourism well for the
long-term benefit of tourists, conservation and local people. This award is
sponsored by GAP
Adventures
How to nominate
You do not need to put forward a nomination for every category. Please
indicate which category your nomination is for and tell us why you think the
tourism-related organisation is responsible - you can make more than one
nomination if you wish.
To submit a nomination, go to www.responsibletourismawards.com/nominations
You do not need to put forward a nomination for every category. Please
indicate which category your nomination is for and tell us why you think the
tourism-related organisation is responsible - you can make more than one
nomination if you wish.
Alternatively, nominations can be made or by letter or postcard (with your
name, address and phone number) to responsible travel.com, Pavilion House, 6
Old Steine, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1EJ.
Nominations must be received by Monday, July 2, 2007. Entrants who have
nominated one of the 13 winners will go forward to the prize draw for two
incredible holidays: a 14-day tour to Uganda for two people with i-to-i; a
19-day trip to Nepal for two with The Adventure Company. The former to be
taken by June 30, 2008, the latter to be taken by October 31, 2008. Both
offers are subject to availability and unforeseen eventualities.
Winners will be announced in The Times on Saturday, November 17, 2007. No
purchase necessary.
Competition open to UK residents aged 18 or over except employees of News
International, i-to-i, The Adventure Company or associated companies and
businesses.
All entries are subject to full terms and conditions: see timesonline.co.uk/responsiblerules
The judges
Harold Goodwin, Chair of judges, Professor of Responsible Tourism
Management at Leeds Metropolitan University and Director of the
International Centre for Responsible Tourism.
Tricia Barnett, Director of Tourism Concern.
Andy Cooper, Director General, Federation of Tour Operators (FTO).
Justin Francis, Managing Director, responsibletravel.com.
Graeme Gourlay, Publisher, Geographical magazine.
Richard Hammond, Newspaper Columnist and Media Consultant.
Debbie Hindle, Managing Director of BGB Communications.
Sue Hurdle, Director of The Travel Foundation.
Neel Inamdar, Ecotourism Business Advisor, Conservation International.
Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director of the World Travel Market.
Ian Reynolds, former Chief Executive of the Association of British
Travel Agents (ABTA).
Keith Richards, Head of Business Development and Consumer Affairs at
ABTA.
Cath Urquhart, Travel Editor, The Times.
