your nominations
We're thrilled to have received over 1900 nominations for our Responsible Tourism Awards 2008 - once again a record result!
Below is just a selection... Don't forget to come back and find out who this year's winners are!
Ecocruz, Bay of Islands, NZ
Nominated in the Best responsible cruise operator category
"Ecocruz operate eco-friendly (and people-friendly) tours in the bay of islands, taking small numbers of passengers (for lower environmental impact) on a sailing boat which also uses alternative energy sources. They take care not to disturb the dolpin and orca populations during trips and educate passengers about the environment and the importance of respecting the species that live in those waters. They support a number of charities and offer information to passengers on those too and they use the boat to do research into sea life, with the aim to protect the area. not sure whether to nominate them for best cruise operator or best in a marine environment, as I think they do well in both."
Judy Claybourne
St Peter's near Broadstairs, Kent
Nominated in the Best destination category
"As a remote location, near the North Sea, St Peter's near Broadstairs brings visitors to their area. For 15 years they have offered village tours and developed world war 1 and 11 tours of their graveyard. They are involved in the Hidden Britain project and recognised by the Wargraves Commission for their sterling work. Over 100 local people are involved annually to make it all happen. They are full of wonderful anecdotes and over the years brought in 15,000 visitors all on a budget of £3,000. Brian Sleighholme is the visualiser who relies on a dedicated team."
Ozanna Duffy
Cradle Mountain Huts
Nominated in the Best in a mountain environment category
"Low environmental impact (composting toilets and wood-fired heating/hot water in the huts; strict rules about sticking to footpaths and protecting natural water supplies, etc when walking) coupled with high standards of professionalism from the guides and good accommodation in the huts (fresh food and bread cooked each evening)."
Fiona Hunter
The Governors' Camp Collection
Nominated in the Best large accommodation category
"They are pioneers of Safari in Africa and over the years have many successful and proven community projects - from schools to putting the world's first biogas plant in a Masai Manyatta - which has so many positives - environment - greenhouse gases from the cattle, a clean cooking fuel, the stopping of wood collection in the area freeing up economic time for the women and preventing eye disease from smokey fires in their manyattas - to an eye clinic restoring vision for many Masais."
Alexandra Millar
DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage
Nominated in the Best volunteering organisation category
"DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage is a registered non-profit organisation located in the Limpopo Province, close to the town of Hoedspruit in South Africa. They focus on the local underprivileged children as the key to protection of the environment lies in education.
It is a sad fact that many of the underprivileged rural schoolchildren have never had the opportunity to see indigenous wildlife which is their heritage. The children of today are going to be nature’s future custodians. The mission of Daktari is to inspire, motivate, develop and educate underprivileged children to care for the environment through the medium of a wildlife orphanage.
It is a unique combination of taking care of nature and wildlife and educating local children. You are welcomed in a family-like atmosphere. Very personal and warm. As a volunteer you can really make a difference."
Hanneke Hogerheijde
Azura Retreat - Mozambique
Nominated in the Best in a marine environment category
"They are a new barefoot luxury resort on the island of Bengurra and setting standards in the region to show how to combine the demands of luxury tourism yet still be completely intergrated and support the local community and environment. The owners are on hand themselves and put the community above commecial gain."
Ingram Casey
Lijiang Xintuo Ecotourism Tours
Nominated in the Best for conservation of cultural heritage category
"This tour company hires local people as guides, gives 10% of their profit to a conservation and community development fund, is employee and community owned, and provides sustainable alternative income source for isolated communities of ethnic minority peoples."
Barbara Jackson
Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Trust / Badi Mayo
Nominated in the Best for conservation of endangered species or protected area category
"The CRT is the longest running chimp rehabilitation project in Africa. They have given many orphaned chimps the opportunity to grow up free and independent in their natural environment. The CRT has a continuing role in protecting and monitoring a large population of chimps. Funding the project is difficult but Badi Mayo, a visitor camp, gives visitors an opportunity to see how the CRT operates and helps to finance the long term welfare of the chimps. The camp has been sensitively built with wildlife conservation at the heart of the initiative.
Local people benefit from CRT by providing significant employment and promoting conservation education. Good community relationships have led to the formation of a school sponsorship scheme. They have built a small village clinic and set up the Horse & Donkey project that helps farmer’s look after their equines better. I have nominated CRT in recognition of the work they do towards protecting wildlife and helping local communities."
Sharon Goodsell
CycleWild cycling tours
Nominated in the Best for low carbon transport & technology category
"This cycle touring company takes keen cyclists to very remote places making very little impact on the environment, staying in local guest houses and picnicking in the wild at lunchtimes. It is a remarkable way to see the beauty of places (I went on their Northern Iceland trip)."
Katharine Kinney
Southern Sea Ventures
Nominated in the Best in a marine environment category
"I was very impressed with their operation in the Fijian Yasawas Islands. Their sensitive relation to the islanders, the company sponsorship of educational opportunities for villagers, and the use of eco-toilet facilities in a sensitive environment all were in marked contrast to other operators I have experienced. They have been offering sea-kayaking tours in Fiji for many years and have developed a sustainable long-term relationship with the Yasawas Islands in particular.
Their operations in many other countries around the world (including Turkey, Panama, Tonga, Australia, Scotland, Norway, High Arctic, Greenland, Antarctica, South Georgia, Croatia, Papua New Guinea, Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka Peninsula) are based on a similar philosophy. A well-deserved award such as this would underscore and reward these efforts."
Cedric Griffiths
