WTTC announces Finalist Selection Judges for 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

Today, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced the 12 independent finalist selection judges from around the world, for its 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
Every year WTTC recognises innovative leaders in sustainable tourism through its Tourism for Tomorrow Awards - one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry honouring those companies, organisations and destinations that are setting the standard for sustainable tourism best practice.

An international team of judges, appointed by WTTC and led by Costas Christ, Chairman of the Judges and a top expert in sustainable tourism, identify the global leaders in sustainable tourism following a rigorous three-step judging process, which also includes an on-site evaluation of all finalists to review first hand how they are putting sustainable tourism practices into action.

The 12 judges on the Finalist Selection Committee for 2012 are:

• Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters & Associates, Australia
• Jena Gardner, President, JG Blackbook of Travel, and President, The Bodhi Tree Foundation, USA
• Marilú Hernández, President, Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya, Mexico
• Gail Henry, Sustainable Tourism Product Specialist, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Barbados
• Judy Kepher-Gona, CEO, Base Camp Foundation, Kenya
• Graham Miller, Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management, University of Surrey UK
• Kauahi Ngapora, COO, Whale Watch Kaikoura, New Zealand
• 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
• Jalsa Urubshurow, President, Nomadic Expeditions, Mongolia
• Tony Williams, CEO Hospitality, Just Sustainability, United Arab Emirates

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC said: 'We are delighted to have such a high calibre of international judges to select our finalists who will together provide an important perspective based on their diverse cultural backgrounds and professional expertise in the Travel & Tourism industry. WTTC is proud to announce this years' Finalist Selection Committee and eagerly await the announcement of this year's winners at the WTTC Global Summit in Tokyo on 17 April 2012.'

The panel is selected on a multi-stakeholder approach reflective of the global Travel & Tourism industry in order to provide an opportunity for the private sector, academic institutions, non-profit organisations and government to be represented among the judges. The judges will carefully review all Award submissions and select a shortlist of 12 finalists by February 2012, in four award categories, including Conservation, Community Benefit, Destination Stewardship and Global Tourism Business. Following the selection of finalists, the second stage of the judging process gets underway, the on-site evaluation.

In March, the finalists then move into the third and last stage of the judging process - the selection of the winners. A five-member judge winner selection committee meets after a detailed review of the finalist selection committee judges' recommendations, the award applications, and the on-site evaluation report, selecting one winner in each Award category. The winners will be announced on stage during the Awards Ceremony held at WTTC's Global Summit on the evening of 17 April in Tokyo. All winners and finalists will also receive worldwide media exposure.

Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges said, 'Sustainable tourism may be the most significant transformation in the history of modern travel, changing the very way people travel on holiday or for business. We have moved beyond the question of whether sustainable tourism can deliver on its promise to help protect natural and cultural heritage, and support the well being of local communities. The past winners and finalists of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have demonstrated that it can. The real question before us today is just how far sustainable tourism principles and practices will take us toward a greener future, as more of the global Travel & Tourism industry makes sustainability part of their business model.'

WTTC also takes this opportunity to make a further call for entries to all leaders of sustainable tourism. Applications from all over the world can be submitted within one of the four categories: Global Tourism Business, Conservation, Community Benefit and Destination Stewardship. Submit your applications online at www.tourismfortomorrow.com/Apply/ or alternatively contact Anja Eckervogt, WTTC Media Relations Manager, if you wish to apply or get involved by sponsoring the event at anja.eckervogt@wttc.org

Applications must be submitted by 1 December 2011.

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Note to Editors:

• The Awards are organised in association with two Strategic Partners: Travelport and The Travel Corporation's Conservation Foundation. Other sponsors/supporters include: Adventure Travel Trade Association, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine, BEST Education Network, Breaking Travel News, Travel, CNBC, FVW Medien Gruppe, Japan Ecotourism Society, Mercado e Eventos, National Geographic Channel/Sky News, National Geographic Traveler, Newsweek International, Planeterra, Rainforest Alliance, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Saffron Media, Sustainable Travel International, Tony Charters & Associates, Travel Biz Monitor, Travel Daily News, Travelmole, Travel Weekly US, Travesias, TTN Middle East, TW Group, USA TODAY.
• More details about all 2011 winners and finalists can be found on www.tourismfortomorrow.com
• The WTTC Global Summit is designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue among the world's Travel & Tourism industry and government leaders. As the highest profile event in the industry calendar, the Summit provides a unique platform for decision-makers where they can shape the future of one of the world's largest industries - Travel & Tourism.
• The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the industry, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity.
• Travel & Tourism accounts for 258 million jobs globally. At US$6 trillion (9.1% of GDP) the sector is a key driver for investment and economic growth. For more than 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world's leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses. These Members bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, raising awareness of the importance of the industry as an economic generator of prosperity.

Media contact:
WTTC Media Relations Manager: Anja Eckervogt
Tel: (+44) 20 7481 6484
anja.eckervogt@WTTC.org - www.WTTC.org