WTTC unveils Tourism for Tomorrow judges-30 October, 2007

I wonder if any of our ops are to be nominated this year. SO far the Shark Dive in Beqa is our star.. Wonder who this year...

Stuart

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WTTC unveils Tourism for Tomorrow judges

Judges for the 2008 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have been confirmed by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The Awards, which focus on best practices in sustainable tourism, have gained international recognition for their rigorous three-step judging process.

Judges on the finalist selection committee are:

*Dr Peter Burns, Professor, Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton, UK

*Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters & Associates, Australia

*Nicky Fitzgerald, Senior Director, CC Africa, South Africa

*Erika Harms, Executive Director of Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation, Costa Rica & USA

*Marilu Hernandez, President, Fundacion Hacinedas del Mundo Mayas, Mexico

*Dr Janne J Liburd, Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark & Chair, BEST Education Network

*Brian Mullis, President, Sustainable Travel International, USA

*Mahen Sangkhrajka, President, Big Five Tours and Expeditions, Kenya

*Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions (P) Ltd

*Albert Teo, Managing Director, Borneo Eco Tours, Malaysia

*Jessica Hall Upchurch, Director of Sustainability, Virtuoso, USA

*Michelle White, Director, Environmental Affairs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Canada & Global

The panel will review and select a shortlist of finalists in each of the four award categories to move into the second stage, when on-site inspections will take place.

During the third stage of judging, a final judging panel will choose the winner for each category.

Members of the final judging panel include:

*Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, USA

*Maria Isabel Salvador, Minister of Tourism, Ecuador

*Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, Telegraph Media Group, UK

*Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director, World Travel Market, UK

Chairman of the judges Costas Christ said: "The high calibre of our international judging panel and the rigorous on site inspection process is what distinguishes these prestigious awards, bringing global recognition to the world's best practice examples of sustainable tourism.

"Our goal is to encourage the travel and tourism industry to play a larger role in protecting the cultural and natural heritage of our planet while also delivering tangible local economic benefits."

WTTC unveils Tourism for Tomorrow judges