WTTC independent sustainable tourism judges to select finalists for four award categories
Costas Christ, chairman, international team of judges WTTC
Each year the World Travel & Tourism Council* (WTTC) recognizes innovative pioneers in sustainable tourism, following a three-step judging process including on-site evaluations of all finalists. The Council selected a panel meant to reflect all areas of the global Travel and Tourism industry including the private sector, academic institutions, non-profit organizations and government. This year the chairman of the international team of judges will be Costas Christ.
As part of the process the judges are expected to select a shortlist of 12 finalists by January 21, 2013. During the second stage of the process they will visit the properties and destinations for on-site evaluations.
Tony Charters, principal, Tony Charters & Associates
Gail Henry, sustainable tourism product specialist, Caribbean Tourism Organization
Clara Ines Sanchez Arciniegas, vice minister, Colombia
Mahen Sanghrajka, chief and founder, Big Five Tours & Expeditions
Pegi Vail, professor, Colombia University
Jalsa Urubshurow, CEO, Nomadic Expeditions and Three Camel Lodge
Following the on-site evaluations, the finalists are scheduled to progress into the last stage of the judging process. A separate Winner Selection Committee is expected to meet after a detailed review of the finalist judges’ recommendations, the award applications, and the on-site evaluation report, selecting one winner in each Award category. Organization representatives should announced the winners during the awards ceremony of the WTTC Global Summit on April 9, 2013 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Applications for the award are due by 26 November 2012.
Marilu Hernandez, president, Fundacion Haciendas del Mundo Maya
Judy Kepher-Gona, executive director, Base Camp Foundation
Karma Tshering, chief, Nature Recreation and Ecotourism, Department of Forests and Park Services, Bhutan
Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, managing director, Ibex Expeditions (PVT) Ltd
Graham Miller, head, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey
Tony Williams, director, Hospitality Operations, Qatar Foundation
This year’s judges are Clara Ines Sanchez Arciniegas, vice minister, Sustainable Tourism Development, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Colombia; Gail Henry, sustainable tourism product specialist, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Barbados; Graham Miller, head, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey, United Kingdom; Jalsa Urubshurow, chief executive officer, Nomadic Expeditions and Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia; Judy Kepher-Gona, executive director, Base Camp Foundation, Kenya; Karma Tshering, chief, Nature Recreation and Ecotourism, Department of Forests and Park Services, Bhutan; Mahen Sanghrajka, chief and founder, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, United States and Kenya; Mandip Singh Soin, founder and managing director, Ibex Expeditions (PVT) Ltd, India; Marilu Hernandez, president, Fundacion Haciendas del Mundo Maya, Mexico; Pegi Vail, professor and sustainable tourism documentary film maker, Colombia University, United States; Tony Charters, principal, Tony Charters & Associates, Australia; and Tony Williams, director, Hospitality Operations, Qatar Foundation, Dubai.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), a forum for business leaders in the travel and tourism industry, strives to raise awareness of travel and tourism as one of the world’s largest industries, supporting 255 million jobs and generating 9 per cent of world GDP. The Simon & Baker Travel Review is a Media Sponsor of the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow 2013 Awards.
*Photos courtesy of World Travel & Tourism Council
