Travel Operators for Tigers will conduct its Wildlife Tourism Awards on 30th September, 2010 at the British High Commission residence in New Delhi.
Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) is a unique campaign. Founded in 2004 by a group of concerned Tour Operators, TOFT has now expanded to become a pioneering International 'collective action' campaign, run by Travel Professionals, aimed at those within the nature travel industry and all visitors to India’s wildlife parks, to advocate, endorse and support more responsible use of wilderness areas in India, and the Indian sub continent. TOFT has set standards in Wildlife Tourism, to help make it a world class wildlife travel destination and to effect wildlife tourism policies that would make tourism a powerful tool for conservationists.
TOFT is launching the HSBC supported TOFT Wildlife Tourism Awards, which aims to be the most prestigious awards in the Indian Wildlife Tourism sector. The Awards act as to beacon to the Global Tourist Industry, highlighting the role that tourism can play in support of tiger conservation; Increased public awareness of the value of responsible tourism as an agent for conservation and habitat renewal; rewarding and encouraging best practice operations; encouraging sustainability in tourism enterprises; promoting community participation, enterprise and initiatives around Tiger Parks.
The categories of the awards include:
The John Wakefield Memorial Award for Most Inspirational Ecolodge of the Year 2010
The Billy Arjun Singh Memorial Award for Best Wildlife Guide of the Year 2010 (also carries INR 15000 prize)
Lodge Naturalist of the Year 2010 (also carries INR 15000 prize)
Visitor Friendly Wildlife Destination of the Year 2010 (also carries a prize INR 50000 worth of kit or equipment to be used in tiger protection/conservation)
Wildlife Promotion Company of the Year 2010
Wildlife Tourism Community Initiative of the year 2010 (also carries a prize of INR 25000)
Wildlife and Tourism Initiative of the Year 2010 (also carries a prize of INR 25000 towards equipment/services for the benefit of the community)
TOFT is also bringing out the first Good Wildlife Guide Booklet for TOFT members. The booklet will contain information about the awards, nominees and judges in addition to other relevant information. The booklet will also have a list of all TOFT members with their contact numbers. The first Good Wildlife Guide Booklet will be launched and distributed at the award ceremony in New Delhi, the copies will also be sent to the potential clients in India and overseas.