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The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the 15 finalists for its 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The 2019 finalists are organised into the following new categories: Climate Action, Investing in People, Destination Stewardship, Social Impact and Changemakers.

The Changemakers Award will put a special spotlight on fighting the illegal wildlife trade through tourism, an issue that is also a focus of WTTC with its Buenos Aires Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade launched last year.

The WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, now in their fifteenth year, showcase business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of ‘people, planet and profits’ within the global tourism industry.

All 15 finalists illustrate a strong commitment to supporting change, transformation in business practices and consumer behaviour towards a more environmentally conscious sector.

Following a rigorous three-phase judging process, which includes an onsite evaluation, winners of the 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards will be announced during the awards ceremony at the 19th WTTC Global Summit in Seville, Spain from 2nd to 4th April 2019.

WTTC President and Chief Executive, Gloria Guevara commented “this year’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards shine the spotlight on those organisations which are leading the way in sustainable travel and tourism. They reflect WTTC’s Strategic Priorities of Climate Action, Destination Stewardship, Future of Work, and Social Responsibility.

"I am delighted that in this 15th anniversary year, we are particularly highlighting initiatives which are combating the illegal wildlife trade, in line with the WTTC Buenos Aires Declaration which was launched in April 2018.

“As pioneers in the world of travel and tourism I applaud all these finalists on their business philosophies and encourage the wider sector to look to them as leading examples for the future of sustainable travel.”

Awards Lead Judge, Professor Graham Miller, Executive Dean and Professor of Sustainability in Business, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Surrey advised “the shortlisted projects and businesses demonstrate community development, sustainable employment practices, female empowerment, innovative environmental technology and protection of land and marine wildlife as well as positively contributing to the broader Sustainable Development Goals. Their efforts in these areas are a beacon to the rest of the travel sector in signalling the way to a more sustainable world.”

The finalists of the 2019 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which is headline sponsored by AIG Travel for the fourth year are:

Climate Action Award, for organisations undertaking significant and measurable work to reduce the scale and impact of climate change:
• Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
• The Brando, Tetiaroa Private Island, Tahiti
• Tourism Holdings Limited, New Zealand

Investing in People Award, for organisations demonstrating leadership in becoming an exciting, attractive, and equitable employer in the sector:
• Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, India
• Reserva do Ibitipoca, Brazil
• Shanga by Elewana Collection, Tanzania 

Destination Stewardship Award, for organisations helping a place to thrive and bring forward its unique identity for the benefit of its residents and tourists:
• Grupo Rio da Prata, Brazil
• Masungi Georeserve, Philippines
• St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council, St. Kitts and Nevis

Social Impact Award, for organisations working to improve the people and places where they operate:
• Awamaki, Peru
• Intrepid Group, Australia
• Nikoi Island, Indonesia

Changemakers Award, this year focused on organisations fighting the illegal wildlife trade through sustainable tourism:
• Kelompok Peduli Lingkungan Belitung (KPLB), Indonesia
• SEE Turtles, USA
• The Cardamom Tented Camp, Cambodia

The winner of each category will be determined by the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2019 Winners’ Selection Committee, chaired by Fiona Jeffery, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Chair and Founder & Chairman, Just a Drop.

Jeffery stated "the role of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards is to inspire and educate. They identify responsible leadership in our industry and outstanding role models from which best practices can be learnt and built. Our role is to spread this knowledge and encourage a broader appreciation of environmental and ethical governance which helps drive a growing commitment to sustainable tourism practices, so they become part of the DNA of our industry and not the exception.”

The 2019 Awards program has five categories: 

• Social Impact Award - recognises organisations that are working to improve the people and places where they operate. 
• Destination Stewardship Award - recognises destinations which help a place to thrive and bring forward its unique identity for the benefit of its resident and tourists. 
• Climate Action Award - recognises organisations undertaking significant and measurable work to reduce the scale and impacts of climate change. 
• Changemakers Award - recognises organisations that have made real, positive and impactful change in a specific area of focus defined by WTTC. This focus will change each year, and in 2019 will focus on fighting the illegal wildlife trade through sustainable tourism. 
• Investing in People Award - recognises organisations demonstrating leadership in becoming an exciting, attractive and equitable employer in the sector. 

Finalists and winners receive complimentary flights and accommodation and will be recognised during an Awards ceremony which will take place as part of the 2019 WTTC Global Summit.

Click here for more details on the awards and the finalists.

Click here for information on the 2019 WTTC Global Summit in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: An Intrepid Travel cycling tour in Asia (top), Gloria Guevara (middle) and Maui campervans, a Tourism Holdings operation (below).

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15th October 2016 - TripAdvisor bans ticket sales to attractions that allow contact with wild animals

13th November 2015 - Parks Victoria set to welcome new Chief Executive

29th January 2015 - New community partnership to develop small group tourism in Olkola National Park

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