WILD Guanabana Founder Omar Samra has secured a prestigious World Travel Market Global Award in recognition of him founding the green travel company, which specialises in designing highly personalised travel experiences.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery presented the award to Samra at today’s (Monday 7 November) WTM VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony.

WTM’s Global Media Network, comprising of key travel industry media around the world, put forward organisations and individuals which have contributed to their region’s travel and tourism industry. Samra and WILD Guanabana were nominated by TTN Middle East. Its Publisher, Kim Thomson, jointly presented the award with Jeffery.

Samra was first inspired to leave to his banking job and do something different when he undertook a two week bike ride around Spain’s Andalucia. Further trips led to Samra’s founding of WILD Guanabana two and a half years ago and it has since gone from strength to strength. Focused on operating in an ethical and sustainable fashion, the operator now offers tailor-made personalised trips exploring wild and amazing destinations. Based in Cairo, the company has a new office in Dubai making it the Middle East’s first tour operator working with a consultancy to limit its carbon emissions. The company also focuses on both its social and environmental responsibilities and last year alone its Right to Climb initiative saw it raise LE900,000 in aid of mental illness in Egypt.

Jeffery said: “Omar Samra’s journey started on a bike and has led to his receiving a coveted Global Award today. In setting up the sustainable and ethical operator WILD Guanabana, he is now giving others the freedom to discover themselves too.”

Every year, World Travel Market Global Awards are presented. The other 2011 winners are: Italy’s Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council, Butlin’s, the Renaissance Moscow Hotel, The Travel Corporation Canada, India-based The Lalit Group, Porto Bay Hotels & Resorts, Spain’s RENFE, Sao Paulo Turismo and the Sandals Foundation.