Now in its twelfth year, Responsible Tourism Day at World Travel Market 2006
is to host the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards for the third year.The Awards, on the World Stage on Wednesday 8 November, kicks off a packed
programme of events tackling key issues affecting the sector.

The Awards celebrate tourism ventures that make a positive contribution to
conservation and the economies of local communities while minimising any
negative impacts of tourism.

 

The Awards are organised by online travel agent responsibletravel.com, in
association with World Travel Market, The Times, and Geographical Magazine -
the magazine of The Royal Geographical Society.

Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director of World Travel Market said: “We are
delighted to be playing host yet again to the Responsible Tourism Awards at
an event that brings together over 202 destinations and 5,000 exhibitors to
celebrate all that is best in the world’s travel and tourism industry. For
the past twelve years World Travel Market has been at the forefront of the
industry by dedicating a specific day to tackle the key issues relating to
responsible tourism. These Awards, which attracted over 700 nominations last
year, are an excellent example of how the sector has captured the
imagination of not only the travel trade but holidaymakers who are becoming
more aware of how their holidays impact on the local community and
environment.”

Justin Francis, co-founder of the online travel agent responsibletravel.com,
organisers of the Awards, said: “We are looking for wonderful holidays run
by passionate tourism organisations who increase the ‘trickle down’ of money into local people’s hands by thinking local when buying services and
produce, and supporting local environmental projects.”

 

Dermot Blastland, Executive Director of First Choice Holidays PLC said:
“First Choice is delighted to be headline sponsor of these Awards for the
3rd consecutive year.  Tourism can be a tremendous force for good, but the
challenges of operating tourism sustainably remain significant.  The Awards
serve to showcase inspiring examples of companies and individuals who have
achieved this tricky balance.  Over the past year we have seen increased
interest and engagement in responsible tourism amongst our own colleagues as
well as across the wider industry: this is no longer the domain of just the
niche market.”
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