Responsible tourism awards 2012 launched

Nominations are now open for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2012: Responsible Touris NOT Sustainable Tourism says Prof Goodwin

The Awards celebrate the shining stars of responsible tourism – those ventures around the world that make positive contributions to conservation and the economies of local communities.

"Responsible travel will give you a far more richer experience. It’s not about where you go now, it’s more about what you do and how you do it. We often hear that tourism can be destructive but my trip to the Indian Ocean showed me just how many marine parks and national sanctuaries are supported entirely by money from visitors. If we don’t go to these places, they will be destroyed."

The Awards, now in their ninth year have grown to become ‘the Oscars’ of the responsible tourism world, having attracted over 11,000 nominations from members of the public since they launched in 2004. Partners include Metro, World Travel Market, the premier tourism event of the year where the ceremony is held as part of World Responsible Tourism Day, The International Centre for Responsible Tourism, organisers of the Awards judging process, and Geographical Magazine (the magazine of The Royal Geographical Society).

Justin Francis, founder of the Awards and managing director, responsibletravel.com said:

"The tourism industry is polarising between those that actively support communities and conservation and the silent majority who do not. With each passing year tourists, local communities and destination managers are pushing harder for responsible tourism. Our job for the past 8 years with The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards is to find and celebrate the best of the best. The winners are the guiding light for the industry and hotly in demand by tourists."

Amanda Wills, managing director, Virgin Holidays said:

"These awards are an annual opportunity for us to celebrate the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that drives the fantastic and necessary sustainable travel projects from across the world which are nominated every year. Over our six years of sponsorship, they have encouraged us to look closely at what we can do to meet our own responsibility to the planet and the people we touch, and the ways in which we develop and talk about those activities with our customers, stakeholders and industry partners. Virgin Holidays is proud to sponsor the Responsible Tourism Awards once again and we’re looking forward to being inspired, challenged and motivated by the nominees."

Nominations should be made online at http://www.responsibletourismawards.com/nominations or by post to responsibletravel.com, Pavilion House, 6 Old Steine, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1EJ, and include the name and contact details of the nomination, plus up to 200 words on why they should win a Responsible Tourism Award. The category of entry should also be specified.

Professor Harold Goodwin, chairman of the judges and co-founder of Responsible Travel.com has also made his opinion clear as to the difference between Responsible Tourism and Sustainable Tourism see his latest World Travel Market Post.

Valere Tjolle
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