The WTM Portfolio is to host a responsible awards ceremony at its WTM Africa event following the long-running success of The World Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM
The World Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM have been held on the Wednesday of World Travel Market as part of the World Responsible Tourism Day, the largest day of responsible tourism action in the world, for the past 12 years.
2015 will see the concept expanded with the launch of regional responsible tourism awards hosted at WTM Africa with the Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM Africa.
WTM Portfolio Director, Craig Moyes, said: “The World Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM have been a great success at World Travel Market over the past 12 years. The awards play a key role in World Responsible Tourism Day – the largest day of responsible tourism action in the world.
“The examples of responsible tourism best practice by companies of all sizes are a testament to how serious the industry takes responsible tourism and what can be achieved if these examples are shared. I’m delighted that WTM Africa will be hosting The World Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM Africa. Tourism is central to the continent’s economy, which makes it all the more vital that the African travel and tourism industry acts responsibly to preserve and protect its unrivalled natural resources. WTM Africa is the perfect platform to highlight the best practice in the African travel industry.”
Justin Francis, Managing Director of responsibletravel.com which organises the annual World Responsible Tourism Awards says “The World Responsible Tourism Awards have always been global in reach, but together with World Travel Market we’re excited to be bringing our trademark rigour to the next generation of Responsible Tourism Awards programmes.
With our new regional range of Awards, we have the chance for local organisers to lead the search for the most inspirational responsible tourism experiences in their destinations. And you never know, you may see one or two of the regional winners sharing the limelight at our global Awards in London later this year!”
The inaugural African Responsible Tourism Awards have already generated significant participation across Africa, with the judging process already well underway. Heidi Van Der Watt, organiser, comments “The number of nominations for the African Responsible Tourism Awards far outstripped our expectations. A full 112 nominations from 16 countries, truly covering Africa from north-south and east-west were submitted. Our heartfelt thanks to partners on the continent who helped us to get the word out and the nominations rolling in.”
Judging, headed up once again by Harold Goodwin, is now underway to determine the winners of the first African Responsible Tourism Awards. The winners will be announced in a ceremony on 16th April 2015 at World Travel Market Africa, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
