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	with thanks to our partners responsibletravel.com Justin Francis, Managing Director, responsibletravel.com “The Responsible Tourism Awards is now the largest and most prestigious Awards scheme of its kind in the world. More and more destinations, travel ventures (both large and small), tourist boards and travellers around the globe, are signing up to the concept of responsible tourism. Not only is it a more enjoyable and authentic way to travel but it is also the only way forward if travel is to have a sustainable future. Our Awards aim to recognise and encourage the passionate pioneers who are helping to bring about real, positive and lasting change in the tourism industry.” World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market, the world's leading business event for the international travel and tourism industry, which hosts the awards at London ExCeL, said that Wednesday 12 November - when the Responsible Tourism Awards are announced - is a momentous day for travel and tourism, both in the UK and globally. "The presentation of the Awards coincides with WTM's World Responsible Tourism Day, now in its second year and supported by the leading travel associations worldwide. It's a signal that the international industry is undergoing a huge step change, with recognition that action across the whole spectrum of tourism, can and is making a real difference to the world in which we live. "This follows a much bigger and growing change in people's thinking and social conscience; that choosing a holiday is not just about the size of the swimming pool or the charm of the locality, but also about how their presence may impact on the local community, as well as the planet, be it positively or negatively. "There are many excellent examples of work being carried out by some travel companies, as demonstrated by last year's award winners. But there is still so much more to be done and WTM World Responsible Tourism Day is at the forefront of this development, helping to inspire, educate and challenge those who are sadly only paying lip service to the need for responsible tourism." The Telegraph Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, Telegraph Travel "We have reached a point in our development where we can no longer travel without conscience. Even those of us who are the most self-interested of creatures, indifferent to the state of the planet, will have to shape up and start travelling responsibly. Just the sight of the great cathedrals of ice at the two poles melting and collapsing before our eyes should galvanise us into action, and as the evidence continues to mount up it is clear that we no longer have a choice. "For many years I have been travelling to the African bushveld, taking safaris, getting involved in conservation debates and hopefully contributing in some way to the future well-being of Africa’s precious bio-diversity. It is our responsibility to seek out and support those tour operators, lodges, guides and safari operations that are genuinely contributing to worthwhile conservation causes. This requires critical thinking and some research not the least because many of the so-called eco-tourism projects out there are little more than marketing exercises cynically exploiting the new appetite for all things green. "Telegraph Travel is proud to be supporting the Responsible Tourism Awards. The company behind the Awards, responsibletravel.com, is at the forefront of British organisations promoting green travel and its co-founder, Justin Francis, began the company with the backing of Anita Roddick, who was owner of The Body Shop, and brings with him a host of high-profile supporters (Michael Palin, Ben Fogle, Alain de Botton to name a few) who regard green tourism to be essential to the future well-being of the planet and its occupants. "We are calling on our regular readers to support us and to contribute to our drive for more responsible tourism by making their nominations for the 2008 Awards." Geographical Magazine Graeme Gourlay, Publisher, Geographical magazine "Geographical sees the Awards as a cornerstone of its coverage of travel and tourism. Our readers take a critical and intelligent interest in the issues surrounding modern tourism and we feel the awards reflect their core values. The very exciting and continuing growth in the Awards shows how important and relevant these issues have become - it is impossible to discuss travel and tourism without taking this into consideration."