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New Zealand wins top award at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards
New Zealand has won this year’s Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. The country also scooped the Best Destination Award for its national, strategic approach to responsible tourism.
At a ceremony hosted at World Travel Market (WTM), Docklands, London, the Awards were handed out by Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com, organisers and founders of the Awards, and Amanda Wills, managing director of Virgin Holidays, headline sponsor of the Awards.
Additional awards were presented in a range of categories which included Best for Poverty Reduction, Best Volunteering Organisation, Best Personal Contribution, Best Large Hotel and new for 2008 - Best Cruise or Ferry Operator. The winners and highly commended organisations' details are outlined below.
Best Tour Operator, sponsored by The Adventure Company
Winner: Explore, UK
Best Large Hotel / Accommodation (more than 50 rooms), sponsored by Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
Winner: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island, Australia
Best Small Hotel / Accommodation (less than 50 rooms) sponsored by VisitBrighton
Winner: Nkwichi Lodge, Mozambique
Best Low Carbon Transport & Technology sponsored by Maison de la France
Winner: Bycyklen - The Foundation City Bikes in Copenhagen (Denmark)
Best in a Mountain Environment sponsored by Exodus
Winner: Community Action Treks & Community Action Nepal, UK/Nepal
Best in a Marine Environment sponsored by Royal Caribbean
Winner: Ecoventura, Ecuador
Best Cruise or Ferry Operator sponsored by The Passenger Shipping Association
Winner: Holland America Line, USA
Best for Poverty Reduction sponsored by PromPeru
Winner: Gambia is Good Project, The Gambia
Best for Conservation of Endangered Species or Protected Area sponsored by
South Australian Tourism Commission
Best for Conservation of Cultural Heritage sponsored by Jamaica Tourist Board
Winner: Shigar Fort-Palace Restoration Project, Pakistan
Best Volunteering Organisation sponsored by Intrepid Travel
Winner: Camps International, UK
Responsible Tourism Awards, 13 Nov 08
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Best Stand awards presented to six of the best at World Travel Market
Prestige Hotels of the World by Keytel triumphed by winning Best Stand Design at World Travel Market.
Prestige Hotels, which represent 73 luxury hotels in over 17 countries, was praised for their ‘great modern design’ by the judges through the use of plasma screens to illustrate what they do. The judges also cited the clever use of small stand space and said the stand was ‘eye-catching and colourful with good use of lighting’. More importantly, the stand appeared to be buzzing with activity and proactive stand personnel.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand took Best Stand Feature for their ‘great reception area with a wonderful floral display’.
Best Stand for Doing Business went to the Slovenian Tourist Board for creating a ‘wonderful busy business atmosphere’.
Gullivers Travel Associates were awarded Best Stand for Interacting with Travel Agents for their ‘welcoming and colourful stand’, and for handing out small octopuses to complement their theme.
Best Stand Personnel award was won by Kenya Tourist Board for their ‘great use of cultural outfits for the staff’.
The Most Innovative Stand within Technology and Online Travel Region went to Conrad Advertising for their very ‘clever use of small space with very proactive staff’.
World Travel Market, 11 Nov 08
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