UNWTO Awards Sustainable Tourism 2019
The 15th UNWTO Awards were given to private or public institutions that contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. Unlike the 2018 edition, the 15th edition of the Awards was divided into three categories: UNWTO Award in Public Policy and Governance, Enterprises, and NGOs. The winners were announced in December 2018 in Madrid.
Among the finalists four projects are worthy to mention, and here you can find more information about all of them: www.unwto.org
Fighting food waste at sea: 4GOODFOOD programme, Costa Crociere S.p.A., Italy (UNWTO Award in Enterprises)
As we are Italian, we are proud to mention the Italian cruise company Costa Crociere
(see: https://www.costacruises.co.uk/sustainability/magazine/tomorrow/4goodfood.html ).
The innovative sustainable tourism project 4GOODFOOD was about waste reduction on the ships: the company aims to reduce food waste by 50% by 2020 in collaboration with the University of Gastronomy, Cittadinanzattiva and ONLUS. The project started already in 2016 with a focus on Italian food heritage dishes and seasonal products. Also, the collaboration with the startup Winnow enabled us to track the exact amount of food waste and see where it could be minimized. Moreover, what was saved, was donated to create 50 Food Gardens in Africa. It is interesting to notice that the company does not only stop at this project: in fact, it is active in promoting slow cruising with more authentic experiences and two ships will be using LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) which is more environmentally friendly.
However, more action is required about local urgent issues such as the Venice lagoon, where cruises should be reduced to save the UNESCO site from flooding.
Love San Sebastián, Live Donostia, San Sebastian Turismo & Convention Bureau, Spain (UNWTO Award in Public Policy and Governance)
We want to mention The second project awarded the one of Love San Sebastian (Spain), as Sara was there last year (also see: https://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/who-we-are).
The mission of the destination is to promote authenticity and sustainable tourism development, following inspirational principles such as putting people at the centre, focusing on the local identity and especially the Basque culture, collaborating between stakeholders, targeting specific tourists, and avoiding mass tourism.
Some of the values the community is based on are:
– Effective and transparent management
– Service-oriented
– Public/private cooperation
– Teamwork
– Respect for people
– Leadership of the tourism sector
The destination is presented in a very appealing way to tourists, with many activities to do. However, there is no information about the Award on the press page (https://www.sansebastianturismo.info/en/find-us-on/san-sebastian-in-the-rankings). Therefore, we suggest updating the website with important news, such as the one from UNWTO, and being more specific about the mission and the values, focusing on the local identity instead of being generalist like many other destinations.
Sustainability Whale Watching Charter, SPET Turismo de Tenerife, S.A., Spain (UNWTO Award in Public Policy and Governance)
The DMO of Tenerife created a quality charter about tourism services that is respected by companies that want to minimize their impact on the marine environment. An example is choosing recyclable materials and managing waste. One company specialised in whale watching is Bonadea, with the crew collecting plastic in the ocean and helping animals in difficulties (see: https://www.webtenerife.co.uk/need-know/tourist-service-companies/activity-companies/bonadea.htm). Unfortunately, the website does not give much information on whale watching, especially on a specific charter for Whale Watching.
Treadright Foundation Heritage Initiative, Treadright Foundation, Switzerland (UNWTO Award in Non-Governmental Organizations)
Another exciting project part of the category NGOs is the one about the Treadright Foundation, which is involved in different projects like helping artisans, wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism. It has supported more than 50 sustainable tourism projects all over the world. This foundation offers carbon offsetting and collaborates with many travel agencies sharing the same values of sustainable tourism. (for more information see: www.treadright.org)
Video 1: from https://www.treadright.org/
In conclusion, one thing that impressed me was that these awarded institutions have been active in sustainable projects and not only doing greenwashing because the mentality of “doing good” is part of their mission. The exciting thing is that this awareness involves small players such as Tenerife DMO and big ones like Costa Crociere, which can cooperate with smaller businesses and startups and involve them in a bigger change.
Mariya
TO DO Award 2019: Responsible Tourism Works!
That’s How Socially Responsible Tourism Works!
Years ago I received the first press release from The Institute for Tourism and Development (Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung) here I am finally ready to share about it. Have you heard about it before?
I am going to let the Institute introduce itself and the TO DO Award “With the international TO DO contest, we have since 1995 awarded initiatives that enable local people’s participation and involvement in decision-making on tourism projects, products, and services. When local people are able to plan and market tourism by themselves, this strengthens local economies and creates new sources of income. In this way, socially responsible tourism boosts people’s self-efficacy and appreciates their cultural identity. Potential participants in the TO DO contest are invited to apply with their tourism projects, products, and services. An expert jury preselects projects which are then checked by experts on location. The award ceremony takes place at ITB in Berlin, the winning projects are widely publicized”.
This year’s awards of the international TO DO contest go to projects in Peru and India. The two award winners particularly stand out in their commitment to socially responsible forms of tourism with ecological, economic and socially sustainable effects.
Award Winner “Awamaki“ (Peru) founded by Kennedy Leavens
In the language of the indigenous Andean population “Awamaki“ means “handmade”. In 2009 the organization “Awamaki“ was founded, marketing handmade textiles and handicraft. Its objective is to support indigenous women as independent entrepreneurs, to market their textiles made from alpaca and sheep wool in a fair manner, and to provide small businesses with access to the global market. Furthermore, “Awamaki” promotes sustainable tourism projects in the communities. The programme is multifaceted; apart from guided trekking tours, various courses are offered. Tourism is meant to generate an additional income and to counter poverty and emigration. “Awamaki“ has come to be regarded as a model for other organizations and regions, showing how tourism can be implemented in a socially responsible manner.
Award Winner “Open Eyes“ (India) founded by Anna Alaman
In 2011, the tourism initiative “Open Eyes“ was founded in Delhi. It is a social enterprise meant to help open the eyes for new perspectives in the country. With “Women in Tourism“, for example, new jobs around tourism are created and the women, including blind women, are being prepared for their new activities. The organization takes care of the financial and organizational matters. The touristic products and services are concentrated in New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, encompassing wellness, round trips within India and guided city tours, e.g. to the markets and neighborhoods of Delhi. Furthermore, Open Eyes supports a café in Agra run by women who became victims of acid attacks. The projects already show effects: The women’s income has increased considerably – by 25 percent and more.
15th UNWTO Awards innovation and sustainability - 2018
Promoting innovation, job creation and sustainability are key considerations for the 15th World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Awards.
The UNWTO Awards recognise the contribution of public and private institutions and NGOs to development of a more competitive, responsible and sustainable tourism sector that works towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda of the United Nations. Initiatives at local, national, regional and international levels are all considered.
Online Application and information
Last year among the finalists I was pleased to see such a diverse and interesting group of projects, organisations and developed ideas, even Italy was represented by Valle dei Cavalieri (finalist on UNWTO Award for Innovation in Enterprises) and IT.A.CÀ – Migrants and Travelers, Festival of Responsible Tourism, Associazione YODA (finalist on UNWTO Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations)
Read my blog post about the 14th UNWTO Awards innovation and sustainability.
Discover the UN press release and apply for the 15th UNWTO Awards innovation and sustainability
http://media.unwto.org/press-release/2018-08-14/15th-unwto-awards-recognize-innovation-and-sustainability-tourism-applicati
UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism 2018
Turismo de Portugal I.P (Portugal), Ecotourism Trust (India), Tryponyu (Indonesia) and SEGGITUR (Spain) are the winners of the 14th Edition of the UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism. Fourteen projects among 128 applicants from 55 countries were selected as finalists of the 14th UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism.
The winning projects, divided into four categories – Public Policy and Governance, Research and Technology, Enterprises, and Non-governmental Organizations – have been announced at the UNWTO Awards Ceremony held tonight in Madrid at the International Tourism Trade Fair in Spain (FITUR).
Among the finalists there are 2 Italian initiatives
Community and Resilience: two villages tackle depopulation, Valle dei Cavalieri (finalist on UNWTO Award for Innovation in Enterprises)
The Valle dei Cavalieri community-based cooperative was created to counter the depopulation of the village of Succiso in Italy, whose population passed from over 1,000 inhabitants in the 1950s to 64 inhabitants some years ago. Thanks to the strong involvement of the community, innovative and authentic tourism attractions were developed resulting in the development of the tourism activity and the enhancement of the unique cultural identity of the village.
IT.A.CÀ – Migrants and Travelers, Festival of Responsible Tourism, Associazione YODA (finalist on UNWTO Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations)
IT.A.CÀ is the first festival in Italy dedicated to responsible tourism involving about 250 organizations working in the fields of responsible tourism. The festival is composed of more than 300 free events such as guided tours and itineraries, workshops, meetings and seminars, 0 km lunches, expositions, and concerts.
The 4 winners of the UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism are:
Tourism training talent (TTT), Turismo de Portugal, Portugal (Public Policy and Governance)
The Tourism training talent (TTT) programme implemented by the national Portuguese tourism organization represents an excellent example of capacity building programme developed to prepare the future generations of tourism workforce. The comprehensive training programme is strategically built around the National Tourism Plan and takes into consideration the future needs of the sector. This project contributes to the improvement of the competitiveness of the sector and to the positioning of Portugal as a leading tourism destination.
Conservation and Livelihoods: Community managed Ecotourism at Mangalajodi, Mangalajodi Ecotourism trust, India (Enterprises)
Mangalajodi, a picturesque village located in northeast India at the borders of a vast wetland, is home to over 200 of birds´ species. Once associated with poaching of birds, the villagers stand today as true defenders of wildlife thanks to a coordinated effort in implementing a solid awareness campaign on the importance of preserving natural species and the benefits associated with wildlife tourism.
Connecting community, local friends, and visitors to a unique experience and happiness, Triponyu.com, Indonesia ( Non-Governmental Organizations)
Triponyu.com is a booking application that offers unique tours of the local communities in the Solo and Central Java area. These offers are not only unique but also contribute to job creation, preserve the community’s heritage, environmental landscape, and the sense of well-being that is felt by locals. The tours are designed and conducted by the locals who are now become active players through this scheme as they receive 93% of revenues that derived from this initiative.
Smart Tourism System (STS), SEGITTUR, Spain (Research and Technology)
Smart Tourism System (STS) is a crucial element in the Smart Destinations project as it allows different data sources to be analyzed, selected according to the destination’s needs, and for information to be gathered, processed, and analyzed, transforming it into knowledge. The STS offers the necessary information for the decision-making process of companies and administrators at the destination.
Source: .unwto.org
Ecotourism Australia members win 1 in 4 Australian Tourism Awards - 2017
Sustainable Tourism World News: I am sharing this info about Australian Tourism Award to highlight that ecotourism is not so niche industry in Australia.
If Ecotourism Australia were a state, it would have come second in Friday night’s 2017 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards tally in Perth, proving that ecotourism is more than just a niche industry in Australia.
“It was fantastic to see nearly 10% of all of our certified operators represented as finalists at the Australian Tourism Awards this year, says Rod Hillman, CEO of Ecotourism Australia.
“Receiving an Australian Tourism Award is the highest honour an Australian tourism business can receive.
“The fact that 21% of all 2017 finalists were Ecotourism Australia certified reflects positively on the high calibre of our members and on the passion and dedication they put into their business every day.
“We’re very proud.”
In total, Ecotourism Australia certified operators took out 24% of all gold awards, 32% of all silver awards and 20% of all bronze awards.
It was a night to be remembered for Advanced Ecotourism certified Tasmanian Walking Company, who were one of two award winners inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame for winning the same category for three consecutive years.
“Winning [the Ecotourism category] brings validation that all our efforts and commitment to running an environmentally responsible operation is heading in the right direction, said Heath Garratt, Tasmanian Walking Company’s General Manager.
“We are aware that we can always do better as an ecotourism operator but being awarded in this category is a great honour.
“Ecotourism can sometimes be a bit of an ambiguous term [but] for us, it’s about having a respect and passion for the places we’re operating in as well as an awareness that we’re actually reliant on these wilderness areas.”
Other ecotourism certified winners include:
Gold:
- Kakadu National Park (NT)
- Parks Victoria (VIC)
- Ocean Rafting (QLD)
- The Maria Island Walk (TAS)
- The Frames (SA)
Silver:
- Calypso Star Charters (SA)
- Murray River Walk (SA)
- Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre (NT)
- Fun Over Fifty (QLD)
- Cobbold Village (QLD)
- Cumberland Charter Yachts (QLD)
- Cicada Lodge (NT)_
- Yondah Beach House
Bronze:
- Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest (NSW)
- Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort (QLD)
- Venture North Australia (NT)
- Nitmiluk Tours (NT)
- Calypso Star Charters (SA)
The other Ecotourism Australia certified finalists were AAT Kings, Aboriginal Cultural Tours SA, Adelaide Zoo, All Seasons Houseboats, Auswalk Walking Holidays, Bedarra Island Resort, Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks, Cape to Cape Explorer Tours Natural Experiences, Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort (World Expeditions), Island Jet Boating, Moonshadow – TQC Cruises, National 5, Paronella Park, Peninsula Hot Springs, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Tasmanian Walking Company, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, TreeTop Challenge and Walk into Luxury.
Italian Responsible Travel Award and Unesco Culture Travel Award
In September 2016 I attended two exciting tourism events: the World Heritage Tourism Expo (Padova) and No Frills (Bergamo). The clue was the celebration for the Italian Responsible Travel Award winners and the UNESCO Culture Tourism Award.
In this article, I am going to focus on my experience in Padova, where I attended the expo as a visitor and helped a friend manage her stand (The Church Palace). It was a pleasant experience, and I could meet colleagues and my favourite potential client target: UNESCO sites, parks, and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
I decided to attend this event also because Cristina, a skalleague (colleague member of Skal International) editor of l’Agenzia di Viaggi, passed away last year. She was the person who founded the award, and I wanted to remember her attending the award ceremony. It always motivates me to see how other people are making efforts and, step by step, changing the world and building pieces of the path I am contributing to.
Let’s see who are the 2016 winners
Italian Responsible Travel Award “Cristina Ambrosini”
Travel agency – Gran Giro – with tour “Monferrrato: sweet cycling between vineyards and castles” (“Monferrato: dolce pedalar tra vigne e castelli”).
Tour operator – Bluewago – with initiative the salt feeding the land (“Il sale che nutre la terra”).
Public authority – Parco Letterario Carlo Levi e Comune di Aliano with project Creative Land (“TerrACretivA” ).
Hospitality – Associazione Locatori Turistici Versilia – oltre Versilia project (“Oltre la Versilia”).
Unesco Culture Travel Award “Cristina Ambrosini”
Travel Agency – Limosa – The Venice lagoon from sustainable perspectives “( “La laguna di Venezia da prospettive sostenibili”); Accepting the award Roberta Manzi, member of Skal International Venezia.
Tour operator – Il Sipario Musicale – “Buenos Aires: musical journey and culture” (“Buenos Aires: viaggio musicale e di cultura”);
Public authority – Philadelphia CVB – Discover Philadelphia, First World Heritage City in the US (“Discover Philadelphia, prima città Patrimonio dell’Umanità negli Usa”);
Hospitality – B&b Like Your Home – Travel in Campania in the b&b runned by special people (“Viaggi in Campania nei b&b gestiti da persone speciali”).
The Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM London
It is finally time to share a bit about the World Travel Market again. Today, I am telling you about the World Responsible Tourism Awards.
The award, founded in 2004, is in its Eleventh edition and is becoming increasingly significant yearly. It has been truly inspirational. I am glad I went to the ceremony; it was exactly what I needed. I want to win the Responsible Tourism Awards in a maximum of three years. Maybe I should also consider five years if I want it with an Italian project, but we will see.
Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com and founder of the awards, says, “The awards rest on a simple principle that all types of tourism, from niche to mainstream, can and should be organized in such a way that preserves respects and benefits destinations and locals” – written as reported on TTG@WTM 6.11.2014.
How does it work? One member of the public can nominate an individual, company, or destination to be considered. The long list is then whittled down into a shortlist that is judged by an expert panel.
The overall winners in 2014 were Campo and Parque dos Sonhos and South African Animal Sanctuary. Both winners demonstrate that it is possible to address the right agenda, to swim against the tide, and to be commercially successful.
This year’s winners are divided into several categories.
In my opinion, the most interesting categories are poverty reduction (1), animal welfare initiatives (2), aviation carbon reduction (3), city hotels (3), engaging people and culture (4), people with disabilities (5), and wildlife conservation (6), but all the categories deserve to be mentioned. Here you are the winners!
1. Best Poverty Reduction: Adventure Alternative (UK).
“Adventure Alternative is more than an expedition company that climbs mountains – it moves them too”.
2. Best Animal Welfare Initiative: World Animal Protection and South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance. World Animal Protection has fought against using wild animals in tourism, working with tour operators to end elephant rides on holidays. South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) has founded sanctuaries where abused animals are kept in protective habitats, free from exploitation, to live everyday, healthy lives.
3. Best aviation program for Carbon Reduction: Thomson Airways.
They provide a replicable and integrated model that could and should be emulated elsewhere,” improving carbon efficiency by 7.4%.
4. Best for Beach Tourism: Chole Mjini Conservation & Development Co Ltd (Zanzibar).
Chole Mjini has enabled running a health centre, kindergarten, learning centre plus provision of education scholarships”. It employs local staff, sources locally and has worked to conservative wildlife.
5. Best City Hotel: Hotel Verde (South Africa). Hotel Verde aspires to be Africa’s Greenest Hotel, and it is clear that they share this commitment with every guest, delegate, and supplier. It is a true example to follow! I am very impressed by this hotel. I have found the perfect example to give to people asking how to be more sustainable.
6. Best Cultural Heritage, Silver Award Winner: Festivals of Puebla (Mexico). In a fast-changing world, these festivals have refuelled local people’s pride in their history”.
7. Best Engaging People and Culture: Kutch Adventures (India).
A highly replicable approach requiring little capital, based on creating encounters founded in respect & responsibility”.
8. Best for people with disabilities, joint gold winners: Campo & Parque dos Sonhos and Cavan Town & Environs.
Campo & Parque dos Sonhos is setting the Brazilian and international bar for accessibility”, “Cavan Town and Environs have gone far beyond ramps and disabled toilets with significant efforts to provide an accessible tourism experience.
9. Best Destination: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town (South Africa). V&A Waterfront has introduced sustainable business practices and even requires its tenants to green their operations.
10. Best wildlife conservation: Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours, Australia.
For over 16 years, Echidna has used its unique method to identify koalas visually without requiring invasive procedures.
11. Best Short Film: Travel Oregon- John Day River Territory (US). Travel Oregon’s film beautifully explains what the place is about: the values of community and why tourism is essential are powerfully conveyed.
12. People’s Choice Award Nam Nern Night Safari (Laos) is your winner. The judge liked Nam Nern Night Safari because it benefits both communities and wildlife.
I am glad I attended the ceremony during the World Travel Market in London, it has been very inspiring to be part of this event, to see how many people are working & inspired by the same passion for sustainability and responsible tourism. I suggest all the students and professionals at the beginning of their career, like me, to attend next year’s event and to get in touch. This event plus meeting the winners, organizers & Justin Francis (the founder of the awards) has been absolutely motivating.