Green World Travel Awards Announced in Slovakia

At a ceremony on 16 October at AquaCity, the luxurious Slovakian resort in Poprad, the World Travel Green Awards were announced.

90 organisations had been nominated for the global categories of the first Green World Travel Awards.

Awards in full:

• World’s Leading Conservation Company; Shamwari Game Reserve, South Africa
• World’s Leading Eco-friendly Airport: Singapore Changi Airport
• World’s Leading Eco-Lodge: Kumbuk River, Sri Lanka
• World’s Leading Green Cruise Line: Sea Cloud Cruises
• World’s Leading Green Destination: Costa Rica
• World’s Leading Green Hotel: Chateau Mcely, Czech Republic
• World’s Leading Green Resort : AquaCity Poprad, Slovakia
• World’s Leading Green Transport Solution Company: Europcar
• World’s Leading Responsible Tourism Scheme: Quest, England
• World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Scheme: Green Airport Initiative
• Africa’s Leading Conservation Company: Shamwari Game Reserve, South Africa
• Africa’s Leading Green Hotel: Nairobi Serena Hotel, Kenya
• Asia’s Leading Green Hotel: The Orchid Hotel, India
• Australasia’s Leading Green Hotel: Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
• Central America’s Leading Green Hotel: GAIA Hotel & Reserve, Costa Rica
• Europe’s Leading Green Hotel: AquaCity Poprad, Slovakia
• Europe’s Leading Green Hotel Chain: Aldemar Hotels & Spa
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort: North Island, Seychelles
• Middle East’s Leading Green Hotel: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
• North America’s Leading Green Hotel: Plantation Golf Resort & Spa, Florida
• South America’s Leading Green Hotel: Kiaroa Eco-Luxury Resort, Brazil

“The challenges of green tourism are the responsibility of every company, organisation and individual working in travel and tourism today”, said Graham E. Cook, founder and chairman of World Travel Awards. “Unless we play our part now, there is no denying that we will all be held to account by future generations.

“That is why these awards are so crucial to the international travel industry, helping stimulate action that preserves the world, its culture and heritage.” He said that AquaCity is the perfect venue for the awards. “The resort saves around 27 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere each day, compared with a traditional resort burning conventional fossil fuels”, he explained.

“In addition to minimising the carbon footprint of guests, using renewable energy sources also saves millions of euros in conventional energy costs, pushing down holiday prices and offering travellers the unusual combination of affordable, green luxury.”

“Contrary to what some people still believe, green tourism can increase business efficiency, cut energy costs, increase customer and staff satisfaction plus create a feel good factor for both the business and visitors”, he said.

The event is part of World Travel Awards Grand Tour, culminating with the final in December, which this year is being held in Turks & Caicos.

Valere Tjolle