The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the judging panel for its 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. Each year, tourism companies and destinations from around the world submit their entries to showcase best practice in Sustainable Tourism in one of the four categories: Global Tourism Business, Conservation, Community Benefit and Destination Stewardship. Applications for the 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards can be submitted online at www.tourismfortomorrow.com.The deadline for applications is on December 10, 2010.
A team of judges, appointed by WTTC and the Chairman of the Judges, will identify the global leaders in Sustainable Tourism following a three-step judging process, including an on-site verification of all shortlisted entries. The winners will be recognised during a special ceremony at the 11th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, to be held from May 17-19, 2011 in Las Vegas, USA.
Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards said, “The judging process is what distinguishes the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards as a global accolade in Sustainable Tourism best practices. Our team of expert judges - representing countries from around the world - carefully review and evaluate each Award nomination based upon internationally recognised sustainable tourism criteria. The judging process then takes it a step further by conducting an on-site finalist evaluation and verification report to document these Sustainable Tourism practices in action before choosing the winner in each category.”
The judges on the Finalist Selection Committee for 2011 are:
- Dr Peter Burns, Director, Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton, UK.
- Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters & Associates, Australia.
- Jena Gardner, President, JG Blackbook of Travel, and President, The Bodhi Tree Foundation, USA.
- Erika Harms, Executive Director, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, USA/Costa Rica.
- Marilú Hernández, President, Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya, Mexico.
- Gail Henry, Sustainable Tourism Coordinator, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Barbados.
- Brian Mullis, CEO, Sustainable Travel International, USA.
- Daniela Papi, Founding Director, PEPY & PEPY Tours, Cambodia.
- Neil Rogers, Director of Marketing, Francis Ford Coppola Resorts and Special Advisor, Visit Sapmi Indigenous Tourism, Sweden.
- Mahen Sanghrajka, Chairman, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, USA/Kenya.
- Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions (P) Ltd, India.
- Shannon Stowell, President, Adventure Travel Trade Association, USA.
The panel's task is to review all applications for each category and select a shortlist of 12 finalists which will then move to the second stage of the judging process: the on-site verification. The panel is selected on a multi-stakeholder approach, in order to provide an opportunity for the private sector, academic institutions, non-profit organisations and government to be represented among our judges.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President and CEO, WTTC said, “It is great to see that the Awards, which have now been under WTTC's stewardship for seven years, have gained international recognition and credibility thanks to the expertise of the judges and the rigorous judging process.”