WTM London: World Responsible Tourism Awards 2016 Kick Off 20th Year of Ethical Tourism

Tourism businesses, organisations and initiatives around the world are now being invited to submit an entry into the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2016 at WTM London, as the world celebrates 20 years of responsible tourism action.

In their 13th year, the World Responsible Tourism Awards were founded in 2004 to celebrate the most inspiring stories in responsible tourism.

The global search for the world’s most enduring and inspirational examples of responsible tourism in action as kicked off with entries being accepted into five categories spanning issues across the tourism industry.

The announcement of the 2016 winners, at World Travel Market London, will this year be part of the celebrations marking 10 years of World Responsible Tourism Day — the largest event for responsible tourism action globally. Furthermore, this year marks 20 years of the global responsible tourism movement, with the South African government publishing a tourism white paper in 1996 putting responsibility at the centre of its strategy.

New categories for 2016 include the ‘Best responsible tourism campaign’ which aims to celebrate the most successful marketing or advocacy campaigns in encouraging and promoting a more responsible style of travel.

“I am truly excited by what we will discover through the World Responsible Tourism Awards this year. The organisations, initiatives and businesses we uncover each year have the power to shape the future of tourism, to be catalysts for change in an industry which will have a huge impact on global climate and development”, said Justin Francis, founder of the Awards and managing director of organisers Responsible Travel.

Mr Francis encourages any tourism business or organisation around the world, big or small, to submit an entry.

“We want to hear your story”, he added.

To submit an entry into the 2016 World Responsible Tourism Awards go to http://www.responsibletravel.com/awards/sumbmissions

2016 categories:

– Best accommodation for responsible employment
– Best contribution to wildlife conservation
– Best innovation by a tour operator
– Best for poverty reduction and inclusion
– Best responsible tourism campaign

WTM London will run November 7 – 9 and World Responsible Tourism Day will take place on Tuesday November, 8.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is an official media partner of WTM London 2016.