WTTC announces winners of 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

The four winners of World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC's) 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards were announced at the ongoing 10th Global Travel & Tourism Summit at National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China. Of the 12 finalists, Emirates Hotels & Resorts, Whale Watch Kaikoura, Accor and Botswana Tourism Board, were crowned the winners for their successful work in advancing Sustainable Tourism best practices in different parts of the world. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are organised in association with Travelport and the Travel Corporation's Conservation Foundation. Costas Christ, Chairman of the judges, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards said, "We are seeing a new horizon in the global travel and tourism industry where more and more companies and destinations, both large and small are leading the way forward in demonstrating that tourism can be an opportunity for protecting our planet and delivering tangible social and economic benefits at the local, national and international level. We are in a global transformation of the travel and tourism industry as we have known it. With these awards we commend these innovation and successes in sustainable best practices."  Indigenous Maori-owned and locally operated, Whale Watch Kaikoura won the Community Benefit Award for its outstanding achievement in rebuilding the local economy through Community-Based Tourism in Kaikoura on the East Coast of South Island in New Zealand. Whale Watch Kaikoura specialises in giving more than 100,000 visitors annually the opportunity for up close observation of marine life, including rare Sperm Whales, using environmentally-friendly vessels. The company was founded in 1987 by local Maori, to create jobs for the indigenous Ngati Kuri community, and has since grown into a multi-million dollar nature tourism business. "Whale Watch is committed to carefully managing its use of a rare natural resource. We will cherish this Award, as we cherish our values of hospitality to visitors and reverence for the natural world," said Kauahi Ngapora, Chief Operating Officer, Whale Watch Kaikoura.  http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/wttc-announces-winners-of-2010-tourism-for-tomorrow-awards-10452