2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Finalists Announced
February 8, 2010
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced the 12 finalists for the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. Under WTTC’s stewardship since 2003, the prestigious Awards recognise best practice in sustainable tourism in four different categories – Destination Stewardship, Conservation, Community Benefit and Global Tourism Business. Over 160 entries were received this year from over 45 countries.
The 12 finalists were selected by an international team of independent judges (ATN Editor’s note: In 2009, ATTA President Shannon Stowell was named to serve on the ‘finalist selection committee’ for the 2010 awards process - below the finalist list finalist one may view the selection committee, on-site evaluators, and winner selection committee) in each of the four award categories for having successfully demonstrated sustainable tourism practices, including the protection of natural and cultural heritage, social and economic benefits to local people, and environmentally friendly operations.
Destination Stewardship Award
- Botswana Tourism Board – www.botswanatourism.co.bw
- Country of Montenegro, Ministry of Tourism – www.montenegro.travel
- Mount Huangshan Scenic Site, China – www.chinahuangshan.gov.cn
Conservation Award
- Emirates Hotels & Resorts, UAE – www.emirateshotelsresorts.com
- Inkaterra Perú SAC – www.inkaterra.com
- Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania – www.singita.com
Community Benefit Award
- Namibia’s Communal Conservancy Tourism Sector / NACSO -www.nacso.org.na
- Tourindia, India – www.tourindiakerala.com
- Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd, New Zealand – www.whalewatch.co.nz
Global Tourism Business Award
- Accor, France & Global – www.accor.com
- Banyan Tree Holdings, Singapore & Global – www.banyantree.com
- Wilderness Safaris, South Africa & Global – www.wilderness-safaris.com
**Winners will be announced May 26, 2010.
The Judges
Under the direction of the Chairman of Judges, Costas Christ, a judging panel of 15-20 judges, representing diverse professional backgrounds related to Travel & Tourim, and from different regions of the world, carries out the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards judging process. Together these judges make up the finalist selection committee, on-site evaluators, and winner selection committee. All play a critical role in the success of the Awards.
Chairman of Judges
2010 winner selection committee
2010 finalist selection committee
2010 on-site evaluators
Other site visits have also been conducted by Tony Charters, Costas Christ, Marilú Hernández and Michael Singh.
NTA’s 2010 Priority Advocacy Issues Include Focus on Entry/Exit Procedures, Travel Restrictions to Cuba
January 22, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Entry/exit procedures, opening Cuba for travel
and funding for destination marketing organizations and national parks are
among NTA’s eight priority advocacy issues for 2010. Although the
association’s government relations team will monitor all legislative
activity, these eight issues will receive top attention.
“Based on legislation that can either impede or help our members’ business
interests, the NTA Board determines these priority issues to set the focus
of the association’s government advocacy work for the coming year,” said
NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP.
The eight issues adopted by the NTA Board are:
Hotel occupancy tax issues U.S. entry and exit procedures, visa issuance
and the expansion of the Visa Waiver Program Marketing grants for
destination marketing organizations and nonprofit organizations Airline
policies that impact sellers of travel Lifting of U.S. travel restrictions
to Cuba Effective implementation of the Travel Promotion Act and the
creation of a high-level travel/tourism presence National Parks and public
lands access/marketing funds Passage of highway and Federal Aviation
Administration authorization billsThese issues will be discussed with
elected officials during the 2010 Grassroots Symposium, to be held Feb. 8-
10, 2010, in Washington, DC. Featured remarks of the Symposium are by
Congressman Bill Delahunt, (D-Mass), who is chief House sponsor of the
Travel Promotion Act and the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act.
The National Tour Association was established in 1951 as a unified voice to
advocate a friendly regulatory environment in which the newly formed
packaged travel industry could operate. Today, NTA’s government relations
activities include monitoring security issues, as well as state and federal
legislation and regulatory issues affecting the travel and tourism
industry. NTA maintains full-time representation in Washington, D.C., to
serve as the association’s voice on Capitol Hill to create a more positive
travel experience for travelers around the globe.
Cambodia—Paving the Way with More than Asphalt: Archaeological Institute of America Awards Site Preservation Grant to Heritage Watch
December 22, 2009
The Archaeological Institute of America awarded a Site Preservation Grant to Heritage Watch, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Southeast Asia’s cultural heritage, for a project in Cambodia. Heritage Watch will be working with Global Heritage Fund, which began a major development and conservation program at the archaeological site of Banteay Chhmar in 2008. The 12th century temple complex is overrun by jungle growth and plagued by looters. With new road improvements, the site is expected to become a major tourist attraction for those traveling from Thailand to Cambodia’s major archaeological attraction, Angkor Wat, located 165 kilometers to the southeast. Global Heritage Fund and Heritage Watch’s programs aim to ready the site for the increasing tourist numbers while helping members of the local community to support themselves through economic development initiatives that protect the site, rather than destroy it. Heritage Watch will use the award for community tourism development, guide training, and stewardship programs.
The Heritage Watch program is a response to economic development in the area. In an effort to reach the more inaccessible parts of the country, the Asian Development Bank is funding extensive road improvement in remote areas of northeast Cambodia, near the border with Thailand. While this will open up many economic opportunities for the region it endangers local archaeological sites that have seen little tourist activity. In many cases, the expansion of the tourism industry in developing nations does not address the needs of local residents, who see little profit from archaeological sites and thus do not feel compelled to maintain them. Locals sometimes turn to looting sites to support themselves and often there is little concern when site preservation programs instituted from afar fail. As a result, sites are destroyed forever, tourist numbers dwindle, and area residents still lack any means of long-term support.
Heritage Watch’s program at Banteay Chhmar is intended to ensure that the benefits of tourism development are filtered back into the local community and distributed appropriately amongst the resident stakeholders by implementing specialized training in English and guiding tours. Heritage Watch will have outreach programs open to the entire local community to increase awareness of the value of the site both as a part of their heritage and as a source of revenue in order to secure the long term protection of Banteay Chhmar.
About AIA Site Preservation Program and Grants
The AIA Site Preservation Program emphasizes outreach, education and the spread of best practices in site preservation. The Institute also supports preservation projects in Turkey, Easter Island, and Cyprus. In addition to grants, the program includes advocacy to stop the destruction of archaeological sites, informs U.S. Troop of cultural materials they may encounter while deployed, presents outreach activities for children, maintains online resources for the public and professionals, hosts workshops, and gives awards for best practices. All aspects of the program, including the awarding of grants, are made possible through donations to the AIA. To learn more, please visit archaeological.org/sitepreservation.
About Archaeological Institute of America (AIA)
Founded in 1879, The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) is North America’s oldest and largest archaeological organization. Today, the AIA has nearly 200,000 members belonging to 107 local societies in the United States, Canada and overseas. The organization promotes public interest in the cultures and civilizations of the past, supports archaeological research, fosters the sound professional practice of archaeology, and advocates for the preservation of the world’s archaeological heritage. The organization hosts archaeological fairs, lectures and other events throughout North America; publishes Archaeology magazine and the American Journal of Archaeology; awards fellowships and honors; and leads global archaeological travel excursions.
AeroGal Begins First-Ever Ecuador/NYC Air Service
December 4, 2009
Five-Star Service and Amenities with Ecuadorian Flair
NEW YORK, N.Y. – On Monday, December 7, 2009, AeroGal, Ecuador’s premier airline, will begin nonstop daily service between John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 4, to José Joaquin de Olmedo Airport in Guayaquil, “the Pearl of the Pacific.” AeroGal will be the only Ecuadorian airline to fly into New York City. They are also the only Ecuadorian airline to fly to the United States, having initiated a flight to Miami in 2007.
The New York route is expected to serve native Ecuadorians returning to their homeland as well as leisure travelers set on exploring Ecuador, rich in culture and boasting the most biodiversity per square kilometer of any place in the world. Ecuadorians are the largest South American Latino group in New York City and New York State, with the highest concentration at more than 100,000 in Queens County, where JFK is located.
With a premium on first-rate service and comfort, AeroGal is raising the bar for the entire industry and making aviation history in Ecuador by offering the first and only flight to the largest city in the United States. AeroGal is also the first airline in the world to achieve Smart Voyager certification, an environmental program established in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance.
“We are extremely proud to be launching this first-ever daily service between New York and Ecuador,” said Gabriela Sommerfeld, President and CEO of AeroGal. “It is a major development for AeroGal, of course, but also for Ecuadorians, both at home and in the U.S., as well as increasing the number of visitors who are experiencing our wonderful country.”
“JFK IAT Terminal 4 is honored to be selected as AeroGal’s gateway to New York,” said Janice Holden, Chief Commercial Officer of JFK IAT, LLC, which operates Terminal 4, home to nearly 40 international and domestic carriers with an annual passenger volume of more than nine million travelers. “Travel to South America for business and leisure has continued to thrive even in these tough economic times, and we are certain AeroGal will be successful. We look forward to offering AeroGal passengers the most efficient travel experience of any New York air terminal. And, as with all of our airline partners, we strive to provide the best services and amenities to airlines and their passengers. Travelers are now able to take advantage of our extensive upgrades and renovations to the restaurants and shops throughout the terminal.”
The Ecuadorian experience begins the minute passengers board the spacious AeroGal Boeing 767, which seats 210 passengers, 25 in business class and 185 in coach. In-flight service is marked by the friendliness and hospitality so prized by Ecuadorians. Before takeoff, passengers are offered a welcome cocktail: champagne, mimosas or orange juice. During flight, traditional Ecuadorian appetizers – empanadas de morocho and chifles – are complemented by juices, soft drinks and liquors, including Khumir, the country’s famed brand of spirits. Hot three-course meals are served and the menus often highlight regional specialties. Following, coffee, tea and a warm cup of canelazo, a popular fiesta drink, are offered. All beverages are complimentary.
In-flight entertainment includes the latest films available in English and Spanish and children receive coloring books. Each seat comes with a pillow and blanket.
AeroGal also provides a variety of member programs and discounts for frequent flyers. AeroGal is offering a special introductory rate round-trip from New York to Guayaquil. Blackout dates and other restrictions apply. For more information, visit www.aerogal.com.ec
The schedule for the new route is:
Flight #: 701 Flight #: 700
Departs: JFK 11:59 p.m.
Arrives: GYE 6:20 a.m.
Departs: GYE 3:10 p.m.
Arrives: JFK 9:30 p.m.
Sustainable Tourism with Smart Voyager Certification
As part of its commitment to their customers and to Ecuador and sustainable tourism, AeroGal pursued and was the first airline to receive Smart Voyager certification. This voluntary program was developed by the Ecuadorian nonprofit Consevación y Desarrollo in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance. It awards its green seal of approval to operators meeting a set of strict conservation standards for protecting the environment and wildlife as well as the well-being of workers and local communities. Beyond this certification, AeroGal has developed a complete and permanent plan to reduce and mitigate negative impacts on the environment by the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle) and by the treatment and adequate disposal of waste. “We are an airline that cares about the communities it operates in and the skies it flies to,” concluded Sommerfeld.
For more information please visit http://www.aerogal.com.ec/
First ISO Adventure Tourism Working Group Meeting Set for October 23, Adjacent to 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit in Québec, Canada
August 26, 2009
Summit Gains Traction as Organizers Schedule Around ATTA’s Annual Conference
(SEATTLE) – Led by two authoritative standards organizations – Brazil’s Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) and the United Kingdom’s BSI, endorsed by the global Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and backed by a 27-country ISO vote, the newly formed ISO Adventure Tourism Working Group (ISO TC 228) has scheduled its first meeting adjacent to the 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit October 19-22 in Charlevoix, Québec, Canada.
The ISO group’s October 23rd meeting coincides with other specialized tourism entities that are scheduling meetings and events throughout the ATTA’s annual fall Summit. For 2009, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), VAST (Virtuoso Active & Specialty Travel), ABETA – the Adventure and Ecotourism Association of Brazil, and Trusted Adventures, a collection of U.S.-based tour operators, each will collaborate with the ATTA in assembling co-located meetings and activities. Increasingly, the ATTA is fielding special requests for Summit adjacency meetings so that complementary organizations may take advantage of the annual assembly of hundreds of adventure tourism industry professionals.
Created as a forum to discuss and establish standards to key issues that affect tourism industry competitiveness and development in the long term, the ISO TC 228, together with the Brazilian and U.K. standards organizations, invite delegates and experts from all over the world to contribute to this meeting. It is the first time that “Adventure Tourism” is being recognized by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization – www.iso.org), the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards.
Global standardization in the field of adventure tourism is designed to promote good practices and improve the quality, safety and services within the adventure tourism sector. In recent years, many different countries have developed various initiatives to organize and develop standards for adventure tourism. The very existence of the multiplicity of solutions in the global market led to broad industry support for the pursuit of consensus-based International Standards.
Proposed by the national standards bodies (NSBs) of Brazil and the United Kingdom (ABNT & BSI), the new Working Group on Adventure Tourism will focus on developing working plans that lead to three new areas of International Standards including:
- Safety management requirements (including a glossary of terms),
- Leader/guide competence/cies, and
- Minimum information provided to clients.
In addition to Summit delegates, countries forming the TC228 will invite their respective experts and delegates to the inaugural meeting. The overall approach proposed for this new standard has the potential to lead to improved coordination and enhancement of the application of standards for specific activities in each country through the provision of a common, fundamental approach to risk assessment and management. Lead NSBs include: ABNT – the Brazilian Standardization Body, responsible for the development of the Brazilian national standards and responsible for represent Brazil at the international level in regional and global standardization discussions; and BSI – a U.K.-based global independent business services organization providing standard-based solutions in more than 120 countries.
To align expectations from all participants, the ISO TC 228 is beginning to establish the meeting agenda with all the stakeholders For more information about the ISO TC 228 Adventure Tourism Working Group meeting, contact Janaina Zonzin, ABETA Public Relations Coordinator, 55 31 3261 5707, janaina@abeta.com.br.
# # #
About the International Organization for Standardization (ISO): ISO, the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards, is a network of the national standards institutes of 162 countries, one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. ISO is a non-governmental organization that forms a bridge between the public and private sectors. On the one hand, many of its member institutes are part of the governmental structure of their countries, or are mandated by their government. On the other hand, other members have their roots uniquely in the private sector, having been set up by national partnerships of industry associations. Therefore, ISO enables a consensus to be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society.
About the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA): Established in 1990, the ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz) is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, networking, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market. ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive trade conferences, the ATTA also makes possible www.Adventure.Travel, the traveler’s hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and guide to trusted tour operators from around the globe.
OpenTravel Announces 2009-2010 Board of Directors
August 13, 2009
(August 12, 2009) – The OpenTravel Alliance (OpenTravel), the travel industry’s leading distribution specification standards development organization, announced its board of directors for 2009-2010. For the first time, the board includes representatives from the timeshare/vacation rental and tour operators segments.
“The travel distribution world is changing, and OpenTravel is changing along with it. We know emerging travel segments like vacation rental, golf and tour operators are poised to explode their online distribution capabilities,” said Valyn Perini, executive director of OpenTravel. “With representation on the board from companies in the vanguard of these emerging segments, we are well-positioned to provide to these segmentsthe value of standard messaging and interoperability.”
Air Carrier Board Representative
Michelle Aaron, Director Application Development, PSS Replacement, American Airlines
Hotel Company Board Representative
Lisa Fues, Director of Reservations, Inventory and Distribution, Marriott International
Rental Car Company Board Representatives
John Turato, Vice President Technology, Avis Budget Group
James White, Director of Global Automated Marketing, The Hertz Corporation
At-Large Supplier Board Representative
Eric Mason, Vice President Global Product Development, Group RCI/Wyndham Worldwide
Non-Supplier Board Representatives
Greg Berman, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, HBSi, an IBS Group Company
Lew Harasymiw, Director of Interface Solutions, SynXis/Sabre
Stephen Joyce, Chief Executive Officer, RezGo
Kevin Short, Client Industry Executive for Global Travel and Hospitality, EDS
International Board Representative
John Lambe, Chief Technology Office, OpenJaw Technologies
“The travel community is made up of hundreds of players, many of which have not been a part of the e-distribution landscape. I’m excited about the opportunity to help shape distribution standards for the tens of thousands of small businesses that make up the tour and activity segment,” said Stephen Joyce, CEO of RezGo. “The impact standards will have on this emerging segment will be significant, will help drive local economies and open up a world of distribution opportunities for enterprises both large and small. OpenTravel has a big role to play in fostering innovation in this relatively untapped and under-represented segment of the travel community.”
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