Community Benefit Award

Sponsored by Spirit of Japan Travel

This award is for a tourism initiative that has effectively demonstrated direct benefits to local people, including capacity building, the transfer of industry skills, and support for community development and enhancement and support for cultural heritage in the area.

Spirit of Japan Travel - Japan's Community-based Ecotourism & Cultural Heritage Tourism Specialist

Spirit of Japan Travel offers a collection of unparalleled private tours within the ancient island country of Japan for travelers to experience and encounter its rich culture and fascinating people. Each and every tour is planned and operated by a local community, only open to one small group at a time to ensure the quality of comfort and service.

Our Promises
1. We'll provide you with outstanding service. - We work hard to make sure you are enjoying the trip and the memories will last a lifetime.
2. We'll make your Japan travel easy and unique. - You can expect unique travel itinerary planned just for you, hassle-free.
3. We'll be responsible to our communities. - Each and every tour is planned and operated by a local community we're part of, to benefit the local people.
4. We'll conserve our environment. - Linking conservation and tourism while contributing to boost Japan's environmental literacy is our goal.
5. We'll offset your carbon footprint. - You will no longer feel guilty if you are climate conscious. We calculate and offset your carbon footprint, every trip, every time.

Conservation Award

Sponsored by Japan Ecotourism Society

Open to any tourism business, organisation or attraction, including lodges, hotels, or tour operators, able to demonstrate that their tourism development and operations have made a tangible contribution to the conservation of nature. This includes, but is not limited to, the protection of wildlife, expanding and restoring natural habitat, and supporting biodiversity conservation.

Japan Ecotourism Society is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote the concept of ecotourism as well as to create and educate eco tourists in Japan. We welcome everyone to become new members and join in our activities.

Ecotourism needs at least five elements, namely, local communities, government, researchers, the tourism industry, and tourists who want to experience the real Japan. Ecotourism is supported by people from various backgrounds. JES defines this partnership as the pentagon of Ecotourism.

To promote ecotourism, JES supports people who work in ecotourism through activities such as organizing symposiums consulting, and providing information. There are many seminars and events that non members can also participate in . Please feel free to join our activities and find out more here

DESTINATION STEWARDSHIP AWARD

sponsored by R Tauck & partners

This award goes to a destination - country, region, state or town - that comprises a network of tourism enterprises and organisations which show dedication to, and success in, maintaining a programme of sustainable tourism management at the destination level, incorporating social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects as well as multi-stakeholder engagement.

R Tauck & Partners (RTP) provides leadership in developing public/private partnerships and increases awareness, advocacy, expertise and funding of sustainable best practices in the global travel industry.

With a combined 60 years of leadership, partners Robin Tauck and Randy Durband connect travel leaders and global associations with governments and conservation entities to promote the positive power of travel; to address critical opportunities for tourism growth in key regions and to protect and enhance the world's fragile and developing tourism destinations for future generations.

An owner and former CEO of Tauck Inc, an 87-year luxury global tour operator in 80 countries, Ms Tauck integrates the values and visions of responsible tourism into corporate and industry strategy; and was recognised by the White House in 2006.

Serving on the WTTC 2020 Climate Change & Best Practices group; RTP also serves on US/ICOMOS and international ICOMOS boards, the advisory bodies to the UNESCO World Heritage Center in Paris.

We believe in a multi-generational view that Travel & Tourism Companies today can engage in new partnerships to successfully protect iconic World Heritage sites, regions and communities; and to strengthen economic opportunity through innovative Destination Stewardship practices.

www.robintauck.com

Global Tourism Business Award

sponsored by CondÉ Nast Traveler

Open to any large company from any sector of Travel & Tourism - cruise lines, hotel groups, airlines, tour operators, etc - with at least 500 full-time employees and operating in more than one country, this award recognises best practices in sustainable tourism at a large company level.

Celebrating 25 years of award-winning travel journalism in 2012, Condé Nast Traveler is the most trusted source of travel inspiration and news for affluent travelers from North America.

The magazine's founding principle of "Truth in Travel" guarantees readers receive unbiased and authoritative advice. Discover our world in the print edition, tablet editions and online at the all-new condenasttraveler.com.