The winner will deliver an inaugural address at the World Green Tourism Conference and Exhibition at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center from Dec. 5-7.

In partnership with International Council of Tourism Partners, and sponsored by Etihad Airways, the single award recognizes outstanding efforts and achievements in thought leadership and action to encourage green initiatives in travel and tourism.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, hosts of World Green Tourism, have worked with event organizers Streamline Marketing Group and ICTP to select a shortlist of outstanding individuals.

The nominees will be assessed by a distinguished panel of judges chaired by Professor Geoffrey Lipman, formerly in leadership positions at UNWTO, WTTC and IATA, and longtime advocate of sustainable development and the green economy.

He will be joined by Erika Harms, executive director of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council; Laila Yousef Al Hassan, manager of communications and marketing at the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD); Hisham Zaazou, senior assistant minister of tourism in Egypt; and Vijay Poonoosamy, VP international and PR, Etihad Airways.

“There is clearly a lot of outstanding work around the world to establish a more sustainable tourism infrastructure in line with modern green growth demands and expectations, but at the same time it is important to recognize the real pathfinders,” said Lipman.