London - 25 January, 2006

Today the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced the 12 finalists for the 2006 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The prestigious Awards represent the highest accolade for best practice in tourism development around the world.

The finalists were selected by an international committee of experts from over 100 applications from more than 35 countries representing the full spectrum of Travel & Tourism enterprises, large, medium, and small. Costas Christ, Judging Chairman for the Awards and an internationally recognized expert on sustainable tourism said, “The committee was extremely impressed by the high quality of entries for these awards. It is inspiring to see the growing number of businesses and organizations around the world committed to the principles of responsible tourism. From small lodges to entire regions, we are seeing role models emerging in all corners of the globe.”

The finalists for each of the four categories are, in alphabetical order:

Destination Award
Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries, Greece
Kerala, India
Sierra Gorda, Mexico

Conservation Award
Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat, South Africa
Campi ya Kanzi, Kenya
Dolphin Watch Pamilacan, Philippines

Investor in People Award
Hotel Punta Islita, Costa Rica
Turtle Island, Fiji
Yachana Lodge, Ecuador

Global Tourism Business Award
Chaa Creek, Belize
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Canada and Worldwide
Intrepid Travel, Australia and Worldwide

During the next phase of the judging process, each finalist will be visited by a WTTC / Tourism for Tomorrow representative who will carry out an on-site verification visit to ensure that the high standards outlined in the award applications are indeed being met in practice. Brian Mullis, President of Sustainable Travel International and a member of the finalist selection committee said, “By combining an on-site inspection visit with a careful review of the information submitted by each award applicant, the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are raising the standard for recognizing best tourism practices globally.” The winners of each category, selected by the Panel of Judges following the on-site verification visits to all finalists, will be announced during a special ceremony at the Gala Dinner of the 6th Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Washington, DC on April 11.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, WTTC said “We are very encouraged by the interest shown in the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and the commitment shown by enterprises around the world to best practice. Travel & Tourism is an important generator of jobs and growth, with enormous potential to provide sustainable livelihoods to communities even in the most remote areas. We are delighted to be honouring the leading examples of where this is really happening. ”

ENDS

For more information please contact Louise Oram, Communications & PR Co-ordinator on + 44 (0) 20 7481 8007 or louise@wttc.org

For information on the Finalists’ Selection Committee click here

About the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognize and promote best practice in tourism development all over the world. The Awards are sponsored by WTTC Members including British Airways, InterContinental Hotels Group, Opodo, Reed Travel Exhibitions and Adventures in Travel Expo. Media sponsors of the Awards are: BBC World, eTurbo News, The Telegraph, Newsweek, National Geographic Adventure and Travel Mole.

About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global business leaders’ forum for Travel & Tourism. Its Members are Chairmen, Chief Executives and Presidents of the world’s most prominent Travel & Tourism organizations. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide. For more information please visit www.wttc.org.

For more information on the Global Travel & Tourism Summit please visit www.globaltraveltourism.com .