TUI Travel PLC, one of the world?s leading leisure companies, has been shortlisted as a finalist of The?World Travel & Tourism Council?s (WTTC)?2014 Tourism for Tomorrow? Business Award
The awards are one the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry and recognise sustainable tourism achievements among businesses and destinations across the industry.
TUI Travel has been selected as a finalist in the Business Awards. This category represents large tourism businesses with a minimum of 500 full time employees operating in one or more countries, which successfully integrate sustainable tourism best practices into their planning and operations. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are known as the gold-standard of sustainable tourism due to the judging process: an Independent Chairman of Judges, a rigorous three-step judging process involving up to 22 independent expert judges from all around the world, and on-site evaluations of all award finalists which will take place over the next month.
The Plan comprises 20 challenging and measurable commitments, underpinning four over-arching and stretching goals. These are to operate Europe?s most fuel-efficient airlines and reduce carbon on the ground by 20,000 tonnes; to take 10 million customers on ?greener and fairer? holidays; and to be considered a leader in sustainable holidays by colleagues and customers.
Jane Ashton, Director of Group Sustainable Development at TUI Travel commented, ?We are extremely proud that TUI Travel has been chosen as a finalist for the WTTC?s 2014 Tourism for Tomorrow awards, who have been showcasing sustainable tourism best practices for the last 10 years. It is great recognition for all of our hard work over the last decade to pioneer sustainable tourism across our own operations and the wider industry. Our Sustainable Holidays Plan was developed with the aim of making changes at scale – and we remain focussed on creating a more sustainable future for tourism.?
David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC said, ?For ten years, WTTC has led the sustainability debate within the Travel & Tourism industry through our Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. I would like to congratulate all our finalists who are flying the flag for the best in sustainable practices globally.?
Internationally recognised expert on sustainable tourism, Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges said, ?Each year, the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise sustainable tourism best practices in action, helping to transform the industry based upon the principles of environmentally friendly operations, support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage, and direct benefits to the social and economic well-being of local people in travel destinations around the world. This year’s finalists continue to demonstrate that when carefully managed, tourism can be a powerful force for improving livelihoods and protecting our planet for future generations.?
Award applications were received this year from 56 countries, representing all continents. Finalists in six categories were selected, ranging from local destinations to global hotel groups, international airlines, luxury tour operators and small eco-lodges.
Winners and finalists will be recognised during a Gala evening at WTTC?s annual Global Summit, to be held in Hainan, China, on 24 April 2014.