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	about our sponsors We are delighted to introduce our sponsors, without whom the Responsible Tourism Awards would not be possible. We are very proud to have these sponsors associated with the Awards as it sends out a signal to the industry how seriously responsible tourism is now being taken. A word from Amanda Wills, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays, headline sponsors of the Responsible Tourism Awards: It's now three years since we first joined Responsible Travel to take the privileged position as Headline sponsor of this vital and prestigious event. Naturally we are delighted to take our sponsorship into its third year, and are looking forward to the 2009 Responsible Tourism Awards. The economic distractions and background make it particularly vital that we don't lose focus in this arena. It's crucial both to our industry and most importantly to the future of our planet and its people. The commitment to moving forward with real measurable steps in responsible business practices as well as more ways to engage meaningfully with the overseas communities we work with has to be consistent. That's why I'm looking forward to yet more inspiration from this year's nominees and winners. Those that continue to lead the way for us all, ensuring a collective platform for really addressing the "what" and "how" of our business practices and presenting innovative solutions and experiences for travellers. We continue to see these awards as an outward statement of our continued commitment to sustainable tourism solutions, as new community projects, research and industry partnerships drive our own efforts and progress behind the scenes at Virgin Holidays. Whatever the dominant economic stories at present, sustainable solutions are the key to the long term horizon for us all. We are proud therefore to sponsor the Responsible Tourism Awards 2009. Read more about Virgin Holidays' commitment to responsible tourism our category sponsors read more about our sponsors Tourism Western Australia 2010 sponsor of the Best tour operator for cultural engagement Tourism Western Australia is dedicated to developing, promoting and protecting Western Australia's extraordinary tourism experiences. Western Australia's natural and cultural riches set us apart from other destinations. We have some of the most stunning and diverse natural attractions in the world including Ningaloo Reef, the world's largest fringing reef and the lush forests of the southwest - Australia's only biodiversity hotspot. Shark Bay on Australia's Coral Coast, is ranked alongside the Galápagos Islands as one of the few places on Earth which satisfies all four of the natural criteria for World Heritage listing. Western Australia is also an area rich in cultural heritage, particularly in the north west which has some incredible examples of indigenous rock art dating back circ 30,000 years, including what is thought to be the first ever representation of the human face. One of the best ways to enjoy and interpret these magnificent places is with a traditional custodian of the land. We are working with various partners to ensure sustainable Aboriginal participation in tourism through training and employment initiatives. In the last two years the number of Aboriginal Tourism businesses operating in Western Australia has increased by 68% to 109. We strongly believe tourism plays an important part in protecting our unspoilt, uncrowded landscapes and returning the social and economic benefits back into local communities. This is why Tourism Western Australia is proud to sponsor the Best Tour Operator for Cultural Engagement in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts 2009 sponsor of the Best large accommodation category A leader in the global hospitality industry, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is an extraordinary collection of luxury hotels, which includes iconic landmarks like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec City, Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi and London's The Savoy, reopening in 2009. Fairmont hotels are one-of-a-kind properties where sophisticated travelers can discover culturally rich experiences that are authentic to the destination. Situated in some of the most exclusive and pristine areas in the world Fairmont's portfolio includes 56 distinctive hotels. Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 91 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts was founded on an enduring connection to the land and communities where we do business. In 1990, our Canadian hotels pioneered the Green Partnership program-a comprehensive commitment to minimizing our hotels' impact on the planet, which was accompanied by a guidebook on sustainable best practices in the lodging industry. This green philosophy has grown to become a core value of our company. Beyond highlighting our commitment to the environment, sponsoring these awards is a powerful example of the green revolution that is transforming global business, with one overriding goal: to be good corporate citizens that strive to conduct daily business in a sustainable and respectful manner. It is only by living this promise that we will protect the environment and strive towards sustainable tourism and responsible travel practices. We're truly excited to share the support of so many other industry leaders in encouraging everyone to choose wisely, live respectfully and travel responsibly. Discover Dominica Tourism Authority 2009 sponsor of the Best small accommodation category Dominica - the 'Nature Island of the Caribbean' - boasts a lush and rugged landscape of pristine rainforests, soaring peaks, countless rivers and waterfalls, hot sulphur springs and secluded beaches. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is said to be the only Caribbean island Christopher Columbus would recognise today. The island remains relatively unspoiled, with no international chain hotels or large resorts. Most accommodation is Dominican-owned or run, supporting the island's economy and providing jobs and skills training for local people. It is for this reason the tourism authority is proud to support the small accommodation category in the 2009 Responsible Tourism Awards. Dominica has a long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism for which island businesses and the country as a whole have received various accolades and distinctions. Dominica was the first country in the world to be benchmarked by Green Globe, the worldwide certification programme for the travel and tourism industry; and is home to the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean - Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Widely recognised by scuba divers for the quality of its marine life, Dominica has established three marine reserves along its west coast to preserve and protect its underwater environment. World Expeditions 2009 sponsor of the Best in a mountain environment category Since our Nepalese operations opened in 1975, World Expeditions has pioneered sustainable and responsible travel adventures to the Himalaya and the world's most remote and pristine mountain regions. Today, our passion for the mountains, and giving back to the people who live there, is stronger than ever, and is core to our commitment to responsible travel. World Expeditions set the industry benchmark for our porter protection practices. By supporting this category, we hope to raise awareness among travellers and operators of the importance of caring for our mountain environment and the people who work there. We work with trusted and highly knowledgeable local guides to develop high quality, small-group trekking adventures away from commercial travel routes. Caring for our mountain porters is just as important to us as caring for our travellers. Without healthy porters, our quality programs would not run. Our not-for-profit Community Project Travel programme began in 2005 on the ethos of "travel with a purpose". Examples of what our travellers have achieved: Nepal - Refurbished three schools. Arnhem, Australia - Collected over 10-tonnes of ghost nets from Arnhem Land coastline Peru - Provided safe drinking water and erected a footbridge for the village of Qelqanqa in Peru, enabling kids to safely access their school. Our commitments World Expeditions actively supports and practises the work of the International Porters Protection Group, Porters' Progress UK and International Mountain Explorers Connection Active supporter of the Himalayan Trust Our Responsible Travel Guidebook was recognised by the National Travel Industry as a benchmark document for travellers, and was awarded the 2001 WWF/Australian National Travel Industry's Environmental Achievement Award Excellence in Adventure Tourism Award from the Government of India 2008 Responsible Travel and Tourism Forum Award in Canada Tourism Fiji 2010 sponsor of the Best in a marine environment category Fiji, 'The Soft Coral Capital of the World', is made up of 333 islands surrounded by reefs and diverse underwater terrain. It is rated as one of the world's top ten dive destinations and is a South Pacific marine paradise famous for its white sand, palm fringed beaches, azure lagoons and exceptional reefs. World famous marine biologist Jean-Michel Cousteau says of Fiji: "The unparalleled range of quality dive sites and sheer diversity of life of the reefs is overwhelming." Tourism Fiji is dedicated to promoting and protecting this special, and in parts very fragile, marine environment and has long supported and actively encouraged sustainable tourism. Fiji Tourism's UK and Ireland representative, Jane West emphasises the importance of this work: "As a tourist board it is vital to educate all visitors to be both socially and environmentally responsible for the benefit of, most importantly, the Fijian people and future tourists to their wonderful country." To help project the eco-systems, Tourism Fiji works with partners to conserve Fiji's marine biodiversity by encouraging guests not to remove items, especially coral, from the reefs and requesting they do not purchase souvenir products made from coral or endangered plants or animals. Many of the country's leading resorts offer diving adventures. One of them, Matava, has just a won the Project AWARE Marine Environmental category at the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards. The award rewards vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation to ensure the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations. A former winner of the same award is Dive Tropex Tokoriki, an owner operated PADI 5-star Dive Centre based at the exclusive Tokoriki Island resort . All the staff here have undergone accredited training in reef preservation and species identification and the company operates a strict 'No Touch' policy on all dives and actively promotes good conservation policy. Tourism Fiji is also committed to promoting ventures and activities that are dedicated to responsible, sustainable tourism principles. Many visitors are attracted to the islands by eco-resorts that use natural energy and supply organic fruit and vegetables and to continue attracting these tourists, Fiji's natural resources need to be respected and maintained. Promoting sustainable tourism results in long-term economic, social and environmental benefits and will ensure the islands of Fiji remain as pristine as they are today. Tourism Malaysia 2009 sponsor of the Best cruise or ferry operatoy category Tourism Malaysia is the official tourism organization for Malaysia, dedicated to developing and promoting tourism to the country. We have a proactive approach to promoting eco visitation and are intensively working with the media, consumers and tour operators to encourage eco and responsible travel. Our visitors enjoy a host of natural resources including the stunning Taman Negara Rainforest – the world’s oldest natural rainforest, and a haven for hundreds of species of wildlife, exotic birds, fish and plants. We also benefit from the wild jungles of Malaysian Borneo, and over 9,000 kilometres of coastline. Malaysia also has over 1,600 km squared of mangrove forests with 36 different types of mangrove species - we believe that tourism can be a vehicle for maintaining the country’s biodiversity through returning benefits to local communities and the environment. Supporting environmentally sustainable practices is a key mandate in Tourism Malaysia’s business strategy, working closely with the travel industry across a range of practices. The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa achieved a highly commended award in the Large Hotel Category in previous Responsible Tourism Awards on the basis of significant waste reduction, managing energy usage to reduce wastage, using environmentally-friendly detergents, filtering the resort’s ‘grey water’ through a wetland and working with the local authorities to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes to the island’s limited landfill. Another example of our desire to maintain Asia’s rich wildlife is the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre for Orangutans in Sabah, Borneo. The site is 43 km squared of protected land at the edge of Kebili Sepilok Forest Reserve – Tourism Malaysia ensures that the majority of its FAM and press trips cover this Centre so in turn operators, agents and media can spread the good work and importance this centre achieves. The facility provides medical care for orphaned and confiscated orangutans as well as dozens of other wildlife species. Some of the other animals which end up being treated at the centre include Sun Bears, Gibbons Sumatran Rhinos and the occasional injured elephant. Tourism Malaysia is proud to sponsor the Best cruise or ferry operator award in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. The Quito Visitors Bureau, Ecuador 2009 sponsor of the Best for low carbon transport & technology category The Quito Visitors' Bureau develops and promotes tourism in the capital of Ecuador. We are responsible for working with the local tourism businesses in the city as well as promoting destination Quito on the international stage. As such we are in a unique position of both developing and encouraging sustainable strategies, and making the travel industry and end-consumers aware of them. As one of the Municipality of Quito's many organizations, we are proud to present the work the authorities have carried out in many areas of the city over the last decade. Quito has invested more than any other Latin American capital in cultural heritage safe-guarding, investing some half-a-billion dollars since 2001. The restoration and regeneration of the historic centre - Quito was the first city to be named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 - has generated investment in tourism infrastructure, as well as a great media interest abroad. The development of tourism in the historic centre is set on a sustainable course, and it's the ideal place to explore by foot with no transport involved. The city of Quito has also worked hard over the last decade on expanding and improving its public spaces and parks. The capital now boasts one of the highest per-capita ratios of open space to inhabitant on the continent, and has planted tens of thousands of native trees. The Bureau actively promotes these areas, and places like the Botanical Gardens, as well as the opportunities for sports in the city - such as the weekly 'Cycle Sundays' when 20 miles of roads across the capital are closed to traffic with some 30,000 people participating. Internally, the Visitors' Bureau is currently implementing a 'zero-paper' strategy, with all of the capital's 3,000 tourism establishments audited through software on mobile phones, as opposed to paper, in 2009 and in the future. The Andes region immediately surrounding Quito is highly-biodiverse, and we not only promote responsible tourism to these rural areas, but also work with small businesses to improve their services while minimising their impact. The Bureau signed an agreement with Rainforest Alliance in 2008 to work together in the promotion of best practices in tourism (both environmental and social), an initiative which has been well received by the industry, both at home and abroad. South Australian Tourism Commission 2010 sponsor of the Best for conservation of wildlife and habitat category The South Australian Tourism Commission is the official tourism organisation for the state of South Australia. We actively promote tourism to our destination in the UK and throughout the world, and endeavour to encourage environmentally responsible tourism experiences. South Australia is a premier wildlife destination boasting natural and geographical attractions, where you can see and experience wildlife in the wild. Destinations like Kangaroo Island, the Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges, including Wilpena Pound, are some of the key areas of South Australia that have an abundance of wildlife unique to Australia. Added to this we are home to real Outback and unique Ocean experiences, which means South Australia can offer the quintessential Aussie holiday experience which is much sought after the world around. The protection of South Australia's flora and fauna is a key focus of the State Government with key strategies in place such as the 'No Species Loss' Nature Conservation Strategy. This is a conservation strategy which commenced in 2007 and central to the aim is the concept of biodiversity and maintaining South Australia's land, fresh water and marine ecosystems. The goals include aims to maintain healthy ecosystems, through community ownership & stewardship for biodiversity, ecological knowledge for decision makers and general public alike, understanding the impacts of climate change and adjusting our practices to minimise this. The South Australian Tourism Commission will continue to support and promote responsible tourism practices which conserve the natural attractions, which mean that South Australia can continue to offer such unique and amazing Australian wildlife and Outback experiences to you. Why don’t you come and try for yourself? For more information head to our website: southaustralia.com Jamaica Tourist Board 2010 sponsor of the Best for conservation of cultural heritage category The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica's national tourism agency and is headquartered in the capital city of Kingston. The Board is responsible for the worldwide marketing and promotion of the uniqueness and diversity of destination JAMAICA. The JTB's mandate has been to promote Jamaica as a preferred travel destination; identify new and emerging consumer groups; cultivate new relationships with travel partners and disseminate timely and useful marketing information to its offices and travel partners worldwide. The JTB is the most preferred point of contact for persons travelling to Jamaica. Throughout the years, the JTB has been recognized for its exceptional leadership and outstanding service with accolades from industry and trade partners both regionally and internationally. All of JTB's programmes are based on the policies espoused in the 10-year Masterplan for Sustainable Tourism Development. One of the pillars of this Masterplan is the concept of responsible tourism and the JTB encourages every effort, whether domestic or international to get more tourism entities to function in a responsible fashion. Many of our own hotels and attractions have been recognized for their efforts in this regard. The JTB is proud to sponsor the Best for Conservation of Cultural Heritage in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. PromPeru 2009 sponsor of the Best for poverty reduction category It is a great honour for PromPeru to sponsor the Responsible Tourism Award for "Best for Poverty Reduction". Peru's tourism industry acts as a tool to help combat poverty as it is continuously aiding the improvement of the quality of life of the Peruvian by generating sustainable development and income throughout the country. This helps to consolidate a common identity and strengthen commercial relations between Peru and the rest of the world. The popularity of rural, community and ecotourism aids income and development within the country and has risen over the years due to the demand of visitors wanting unique experiences to connect with the local people. These tourism practises also allow the local communities to further benefit from tourism in a sustainable way. 80% of tourists participating in community tourism have done so only in southern Peru on the popular main tourist circuit. Therefore, PromPeru is working with partners on the development of diverse community activities in all regions of Peru for the direct benefit of smaller communities and the whole country. Communities play a decisive role in developing these tourism initiatives and the aim is to preserve their culture whilst educating tourists and provide them with another source of income, as well as it being a conservation tool for history and the environment. September 2009 saw a ceremony where President of the Republic, Alan García Perez signed the new General Tourism Law in a ceremony at Pachacamac, (an important archaeological site only 25 miles from Lima), in the presence of the head of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Martin Perez. The Peruvian Government has passed this new General Tourism Law declaring the national interest of tourism to aid the development of the country. This law enforces that not only visitors but primarily Peruvian citizens benefit from tourism and tourism will directly influence the economic growth, and stability of the country. Kenya Tourist Board 2009 Sponsor of the Best volunteering organisation category The Kenya Tourist Board has a commitment to Responsible Tourism and environmental and cultural preservation projects have grown extensively over the past decade, spurred by a desire to maintain Africa's rich artistic and ecological treasures. From helping with community aid in remote villages and learning about animal conservation, to viewing and helping preserve ancient African rock art - there are now more options than ever for holidaymakers to explore and get involved. Eco-friendly travel options are an integral part of Kenya's tourism industry with many resorts opting to encourage tourists to take an interest in supporting remote villages, learning about animal conservation, and viewing animals in their natural surroundings. With "safari" coming from the Swahili for "journey", Kenya prides itself on offering an unparalleled travel experience for everyone. World famous for its breathtaking landscapes, Kenya's diverse range of wildlife species and natural habitats are a wonder to behold. From the depths of a coral reef to snow-capped mountains, from lush rainforests to vast trackless expanse of desert, from extinct volcanoes to geothermal springs and from rolling savannahs to freshwater lakes, Kenya's contrasts hold the promise of real adventure. Kenya's 59 National Parks and Reserves make up a land of endless potential for the wildlife enthusiast, while those pushed for time can even have a taster with a one-day safari adventure in Nairobi national park - just 20mins from the capital! The country has also drawn on all of its many historical influences to develop its own unique culture and boasts 42 ethnic groups, countless languages and dialects and one of the most richly diverse social tapestries on earth. A great sporting nation with untapped potential for outdoor activities, there's plenty to satisfy the amateur enthusiast and ultimate thrill seeker alike in Kenya, from golf to bike trekking, from marathon running to big game fishing and from paragliding to world-class diving. Added to this are Kenya's excellent selection of award-winning safari lodges and sophisticated tented camps, plus its fantastic range of both scheduled and charter flights from the UK - there has never been a better time to visit Kenya. Wherever you go and whichever "safari" option you choose, Kenya's charms are sure to inspire. Conservation International 2009 sponsor of the Best destination category Some of the most amazing places on Earth are also the most threatened. Conservation International (CI) is a global leader in biodiversity conservation and has over twenty years of ecotourism experience working in Latin/South America, Africa and Asia/Pacific regions. CI's mission is to conserve the Earth's living heritage, our global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature. With 840 million people travelling each year and over 33,000 protected areas worldwide, ecotourism is a growing source of revenue for the management of protected areas, and the communities living within and around them. CI's ecotourism programmes help forge a direct link between the economic benefits from ecotourism and the protection of biodiversity through ecotourism concessions in protected areas, ecotourism job creation, tourism business development support, and developing constituencies through strong partnerships with protected area managers, the private sector, tourism ministries, community organizations and others. With thoughtful tourism policies, strategic planning, and community involvement, ecotourism development can help ensure sustainable use of natural resources as well as increase benefits for the local communities, who are their stewards. Tourism Ireland 2009 sponsor of the Best personal contribution category Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas. As such, we have entered the responsible tourism market with one major marketing advantage. Ireland is green. This is why people choose to visit us, and that is why we have taken a serious commitment to keeping it that way. We are listening to our visitors' requests to preserve the natural and cultural heritage which is uniquely ours. We are also taking our tourism providers' need for sustainability seriously too. And most crucially, we are all too aware that responsible tourism in Ireland can play a major role in the fight to combat climate change, and we are striving to lessen our impact as urgently as possible. Ireland has a rapidly growing number of responsible tourism products. With low-impact activity breaks such as cycling or walking, kayaking or canoeing, to wildlife and conservation breaks, from whale-watching to environmental photography breaks. However, sustaining our cultural heritage is an equally important feature of our responsible tourism products. Such as language holidays in our Gaelic-speaking regions, or cookery courses overlooking the very lakes where the ingredients are caught. All these are growing sectors in Irish tourism. We are honoured to be sponsoring the Responsible Tourism Award 2009 for Best Personal Contribution. Apart from its many shades of green, Ireland is also famous for its people. It is the welcoming, generous and friendly individuals who make up the face of Irish tourism as a whole. Similarly, it is the wide range of individuals out there working to make a real difference in the world, who make up the face of international responsible tourism. We are delighted not only to applaud them but also to learn from them.