The World Travel & Tourism Council has announced the winners of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2016.

The awards, which were presented at a special ceremony during the 16th WTTC Global Summit in Dallas, Texas, USA showcase business leadership in sustainable tourism, celebrating ground breaking and inspiring initiatives across five categories.

Each year a group of independent judges from the private sector, academic institutions, non-profit organisations and government come together to select the finalists and winners of the awards.

The 2016 Winners are:

• Community Award: Expediciones Sierra Norte, Mexico
• Destination Award: Parkstad Limburg, Netherlands
• Environment Award: The Botswana Rhino Conservation Project by Wilderness Safaris, Botswana
• Innovation Award: Carmacal Carbon Calculator by ANVR - The Netherlands Travel Trade Association, Netherlands
• People Award: Youth Career Initiative, United Kingdom

The three-stage judging process is extremely rigorous and includes thorough on-site evaluations of all finalists.

WTTC president David Scowsill said: “The 2016 winners of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are truly inspirational examples of tourism that has a long term vision. 

“In a world of shrinking resources, with increasing pressure on cultural heritage and local traditions, these organisations are living proof that tourism can be a force for good.

“These companies are showing clear leadership in the industry.”

This year it involved 36 judges and over 60 days of work in the field.

Fiona Jeffery, chair of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, said: “This year’s Awards has yet again been an example of extraordinary business leadership in sustainable tourism.

“I would like to thank our team of international judges lead by professor Graham Miller, who are so crucial to the rigor and credibility of the awards.

“The 2016 finalists were of the highest calibre, while praising the winners I would also emphasise that all the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards finalists are pioneers in their field.

“By sharing best practice across tourism businesses, private sector and governments we can ensure that tourism continues to grow responsibly and ethically.”