(Forimmediaterelease.net) 
More companies than ever before have applied to participate in World Travel Market (WTM) World Responsible Tourism Day (WRTD) – the only global campaign, in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), to inspire and educate the industry to actively help save the planet.
More than one hundred large and small travel and tourism companies have already applied to use the official 2010 WTM WRTD logo ahead of the actual day on Wednesday, November10.
The applications are currently being studied to ensure that they meet WTM World Responsible Tourism Day’s strict criteria. Once approved, successful applicants can use the official WTM WRTD logo for this year on its sales, marketing, letterhead, direct mail, and PR materials, as well as enjoy considerable business, publicity, and profiling benefits.
Regardless of whether they are able to attend the occasion at World Travel Market in London, many plan to mark the day in their own special way with press conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs, presentations, fun runs, family competitions, and picnics.
“The industry faces extremely difficult and challenging times, not only economically, but also on core issues such as sustainability, climate change, conservation, and poverty reduction,” said Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market and a responsible tourism pioneer of over the past 16 years.
“This is one of the reasons why responsible tourism is becoming fundamental to operators and destinations and why WTM World Responsible Tourism Day has captured so much industry attention worldwide.
“Consumers are demonstrating their concern, and I am delighted that the industry is beginning to respond positively.”
Participants will be invited to the highly popular WTM WRTD networking reception on the day at ExCeL London, attended by 300 people. They also receive listings in the WTM catalogue, route planner, and WTM WRTD website.
A program of presentations, debates, and seminars, featuring international responsible tourism experts is planned on WTM Responsible Tourism Day.
This includes a prestigious opening ceremony, hosted by Stephen Sackur, presenter of BBC World’s flagship current affairs program, HARDtalk, and presentation of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, organized by responsibletourism.com.
There are 13 categories and a panel of 13 judges who will decide who are the most committed responsible tourism destinations and dedicated industry professionals.
Among successful WTM World Responsible Tourism Day applicants are:
AFRICA – Africa Inside Out; Cape to Cape Adventure Ltd.; The Dreamcatcher Foundation; Karibu Rwanda Ltd.; Nyore Tourist Village; West Africa Discovery
AMERICAS – Exploring Horizons Ltd.; ICRT Belize; Red de Turismo Responsible; Tropic Journeys in Nature; TrotaMexico; Mayaland Resorts; Consulting 27; ICRT Belize; Pure Brazil by Venturas
ASIA – Agri Tourism India; Community Action Treks; ConCERT; Footprint Vietnam Travel; Grass Routes; Malaysian Discovery; Rimo Expeditions; Selena Travel
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND – Crystal Creek Meadows; Ecotourism Australia
EUROPE/UK – Eco Turkey; La Fundación Ecoagroturismo; GreenStep; Ruka and Phya Ski Resorts, Finland; Travel2help.org, Finland; Viator Travel, Dubrovnik Tourist Board; Villa Pape, Croatia;
Included in the UK are: Travelbound, part of TUI Travel; Traveltalk; Adventure Alternative; CHILLOUT 365 Ltd.; Future Sense; SkiBound; Way Out Experiences Ltd.; Celticos Ltd.
For more information or to apply for a WTM World Responsible Tourism logo, log on to www.wtmwrtd.com . Alternatively, contact the WTM WRTD coordinator, Araminta Sugden, on the WRTD hotline telephone: +44 (0) 1892 535943.
Nicole Collett Press and PR Executive World Travel Market Tel: 020 8910 7836 Fax: 020 8334 0624 Website: www.wtmlondon.com