LONDON – A koala walking tour in Australia, a responsible luxury hotel in India, and a whole town in Ireland dedicated to disability awareness are among the organisations selected for the Shortlist of the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2014, sponsored by the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism. But who will take the top spot?With just 11 categories to be won, as well as the much-coveted top spot of ‘Overall Winner’ 2014, the competition just got real for the finalists announced on the Shortlist today.Following an intense debate on the Judging Day in London in September, an expert panel of 11 Judges from across the industry have finally selected their Shortlist of finalists from around the world, including organisations from Australia, Brazil, South Africa and the UK.
The full World Responsible Tourism Awards 2014 Shortlist:
- Adventure Alternative
- Campo and Parque dos Sonhos
- Casa de las Olas
- Cavan Town & Environs
- Chambal Safari Hotels Pvt Ltd
- Chole Mjini Conservation & Development Co
- Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours
- Festivals of Puebla
- Footsteps Eco Lodge
- Hotel Verde
- ITC Grand Chola
- Jurys Inn Brighton
- Kutch Adventures India
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
- Mdumbi Backpackers
- Native Charming Hotels and Accessible Tourism
- On Track Safaris
- South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA)
- Thomson Airways
- V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
- World Animal Protection
- GLP Films: Basecamp Foundation – Pioneering Sustainable Tourism in Kenya’s Masai Mara
- Travel Oregon: Communities Powered by Travel – John Day River Territory
- WWF – The Guardians
The winners will be announced in a special ceremony as part of the World Responsible Tourism Day celebrations at the World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, in London on Wednesday 05 November before a packed audience of the media, industry and responsible tourism professionals.
Commenting on the Shortlist, Justin Francis, founder of the Awards and managing director of organiser responsibletravel.com, said:
“Represented in this year’s Shortlist are some of the most trendsetting examples of responsible tourism in the world, and more than a few surprises too! From international animal welfare campaigning to serial entrepreneurship for poverty reduction, citizen science to cutting edge green technology – the Shortlist has a lot to say about where responsible tourism is going next.”
Reflecting on the decisions made on the Judging Day was Professor Harold Goodwin, Chair of the Judging Panel and Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism:
“This is not just the Judges’ Shortlist – it’s also yours; a reflection of the nominations and submissions made by the public this year. Each year we can only decide on the nominations you make, and the submissions we receive. For each finalist we’ve chosen, there are many others doing groundbreaking work we’re looking forward to seeing again next year. I’d like to thank all those who came forward to share their inspiring stories with the Judging Panel, and hope they’ll join in celebrating the winners in November.”
Looking forward to the ceremony is Alison Cryer, Director of Oman Ministry of Tourism, MBR office UK & Ireland:
“The Oman Ministry of Tourism would like to share their congratulations to all those selected by the Judges for the World Responsible Tourism Awards Shortlist this year. Like you, we will now be looking ahead to World Responsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market in November, where we will discover the winners and celebrate them in person.”