World Travel Awards goes Green

Green tourism is quickly becoming mainstream and a growing numbers of hospitality businesses are realising the benefits of showcasing their environmentally-friendly credentials. This is the reason why the World Travel Awards (WTA) is introducing green categories to their prestigious award scheme. This will reward those companies who excel in ecologically-friendly practices.

WTA, the premier global accolades for the travel and tourism sector, will announce the “green,” along with other nominees for 2007, at the International Travel Bourse (ITB) in Berlin between 7th and 11th March 2007. The winners will be announced at the gala ceremony in Turks and Caicos later this year.

"Climate change, combined with a booming demand for travel worldwide, is presenting the travel industry with new environmental challenges,” says Manon Han, Vice President of the World Travel Awards.

“As a responsible authority for the travel industry, the World Travel Awards is keen to encourage creativity and leadership that will lead to a sustainable future. The new “green” categories are a new and exciting way for us to do this.”

The additional seven green categories include: World's Leading Green Resort, World's Leading Green Destination, World's Leading Green Tour Operator, World's Leading Green Transport Company, World's Leading Eco-Lodge.

Silverjet, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Thompson and The Banyan Tree are amongst companies up for nomination.

To qualify for a nomination in this category, companies must have accreditation in prestigious benchmarking and certification programs, or comply with a range of prerequisites, such as minimising the environmental impact of tourism and increasing environmental knowledge among staff.

“The introduction of these new categories will ultimately aid the green-conscious travellers, by helping them make a more informed decision on eco-friendly products and services,” added Han.

Note to editors

Established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. With thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 160,000 travel agencies in over 200 countries across the globe, winning a World Travel Award has become one of the highest accolades a travel product can achieve.

www.worldtravelawards.com
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