Top Trends in Responsible Tourism from the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2014
(PRWEB UK) 4 September 2014 -- What does responsible tourism look like in 2014? What are the experiences and destinations at the top of our travellers’ minds? The 200+ Longlist of the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2014, sponsored by the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism, reveals those organisations in the running to win the prestigious search for the most inspiring and enduring responsible experiences in the world.
Here’s a rundown of some of the top trends on our Longlist for 2014:
Year of the Elephant
It’s been a rough year for the elephant, with news last month that in Africa more of these beloved creatures are being killed than being born. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel, with travellers chiming in to suggest a number of different approaches to the protection and preservation of elephants both in the wild and in tourism.
Of those Longlisted for the Best for wildlife conservation and brand new Best animal welfare initiative categories, a number were suggested for their work with elephants around the world - including Intrepid Travel, who’s recent decision to stop offering elephant riding brought them much acclaim. But is this the best approach? And will the work of these organisations be enough, or are there other nominees on the list whose work with wildlife and animals deserve an Award?
Responsible US
The US may not be the first destination on everyone’s lips when you mention responsible tourism, but that could be about to change in 2014. Of all the organisations on our Longlist, the USA was in the top 3 when it came to number of entries, including notable nominations for Arizona, Colorado and Portland in our Best Destination category, and accommodations in Seattle, Tennessee and Chicago all included in Best City Hotel.
Even the short film category boasts a number of nominations centred around US destinations or from US travel vloggers. Could this be the year for the US?
Moment of the museum
London Science Museum, Big Pit National Coal Museum in Wales, Museum Meander in Cape Town. It seems museums have come a long way from the days of dusty relic displays and poorly crafted dioramas, with travellers looking to them as examples of best practice in cultural heritage and accessible tourism in 2014. Could this be the year that one of our most venerated forms of cultural attraction takes the stage?
Alternative Mexico
There’s more to Mexico than Spring Break, Cancun and dodgy burritos, and our Awards nominators know it. Much like the US, Mexico saw an unprecedented number of entries into our Longlist this year - including the Festivals of Puebla, Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa and Fundación En Via. In fact, the state of Puebla is home to a number of entries on this year’s Longlist. But are any of the Mexican offerings enough to take the winning spot?
These are just some of the organisations included on our Longlist this year, but with over 200 innovative approaches to responsible tourism on the list, our Judges will have their work cut out for them when they meet in London for our Judging Day on Wednesday 17 September.
Travellers can share their comments on who should win by leaving their comments on the Awards longlist here: http://www.responsibletravel.com/awards/media/press-release-2014-longlist.htm.
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About the Awards
For more information on the World Responsible Tourism Awards visit http://www.worldresponsibletourismawards.com
Now in their 11th year, the World Responsible Tourism Awards are headline sponsored by the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism, and were founded in 2004 to celebrate the most inspiring stories in responsible tourism.
The Awards are organised by responsibletravel.com and ICRT (International Center for Responsible Tourism). The Awards ceremony is hosted by World Travel Market during its dedicated World Responsible Tourism Day, which this year takes place on Wednesday 05 November.
The event has the support of prominent mainstream media partners such as Metro, as well as industry broadcasters such as TTG (Scandinavia, Middle East and North Africa), Green Hotelier and Selling Long Haul.
This year, the Awards feature 12 categories covering a variety of topics, which reflect the hottest issues currently debated in the world or responsible and sustainable tourism.
About responsibletravel.com:
responsibletravel.com is the world's leading online travel agent for responsible holidays and a pioneer of responsible tourism. Started in 2001 with backing from Dame Anita Roddick of The Body Shop the site's mantra is 'travel like a local'. It sells holidays that are about more than just a brief stay somewhere - instead it is travel that offers a real connection with the people, the landscape, the culture, the food and the environment. It offers nearly 8,000 responsible holidays from over 800 holiday providers which all support communities and conservation. Handpicked local specialists provide authentic holidays for those seeking adventure, culture, or luxury whether travelling with family, joining a small group or looking for tailor-made experiences worldwide, in destinations as diverse as Portugal - http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/portugal, Bhutan -http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/bhutan and Tanzania -http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/tanzania
In addition responsibletravel.com:
- founded and organises The World Responsible Tourism Awards, celebrating 11 years at World Travel Market this year.
- campaigns for positive change in the travel and tourism industry, including releasing a consumer guide on the ethics of elephants in tourism - http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/elephant-conservation/travel-guide
- publishes an ever-increasing range of 2 minute travel guides.
CEO Justin Francis has been included in Courvoisiers The Future 500, Thames and Hudsons 60 Innovators Shaping Our Creative Future and taken his place on the Advisory Board of The International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The company is based in Brighton's North Laine district, England.
About the Sultanate of Oman:
The Sultanate of Oman's diverse landscape includes 3165 kilometres of pristine, sandy Indian ocean beaches, magnificent desert expanses, majestic fjords in Musandam in the far north, the striking Hajar Mountains, and the lush green valleys of Dhofar, in the south. Approximately the size of Germany Oman's diverse natural biodiversity will leave you breathless.
Whether you have a passion for adventure, culture or luxury Oman has something for everyone. From diving and sailing to dolphin and turtle spotting the adventure possibilities are endless. Home of frankincense, Oman's 6000 years of history includes four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 500 forts and castles, and the modern day Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Royal Opera House.
Oman air has a wide range of international flight connections to Oman's capital city Muscat including daily non - stop flights from London Heathrow arriving 7 hours later in Muscat with a wide range of connecting flights to Salalah and Musandam.
Oman is committed to developing tourism that supports its local communities and also promotes cultural integrity and the protection of the environment, historic and cultural heritage. For more information visit http://www.omantourism.gov.om
Contact:
Alex Lyons
0784 2614731 (UK)
awards(at)responsibletravel(dot)com
Sarah Bareham, responsibletravel.com, http://www.responsibletravel.com, +44 1273 829269, [email protected]
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