how these Awards make a difference

'We have worked for years to establish and support our charity projects and to ensure we treat the people we employ fairly but this has always been done quietly and without too much publicity. The fact that we have received this award proves to our people that their work and the philosophy of the organisation is recognised externally and the whole team should be proud of themselves because of that.'
Martin West
Community Action Treks

'As a direct result of the Award three places now sell our Souvenir Guide, and so do the three local Visitor Information Centres. On the Friday the Mayor of Broadstairs and St Peter's had a gathering at our Town Hall, inviting many prominent local people to hear about the Award... The next week Thanet Council had a photo session, including us, and we were featured on BBC Radio Kent and Meridian News... As far as direct results go our bookings for our Tours are twice the level they were this time last year mainly because of the publicity. So thank you for the Award!'
Brian Sleightholm
Chairman
St Peter's village tours

'I am very delighted because the GiG project of the Gambia won an award. The Safari Garden Hotel were highly commended. The above mentioned businesses are members of the Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism, as the Chair of the Association I am really overwhelmed that our member's performance in the area of responsible tourism development is gaining such repute in the international arena. You are assured of my support for next award. Bravo to New Zealand for being overall winners.'
Badou Bobb
Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism (ASSET)

'It was lovely to participate in the event. Our achievement has been noticed by the medias here in Copenhagen as well as in the City Hall and by our partners. I think the award somehow has highlighted the neccessity for a City Bike-programme in our city. Once again, thank you for everything!'
Christian Christensen
Bycyklen

'Holland America Line was thrilled to receive a responsible tourism award for best cruise or ferry operator from Virgin Holidays in 2008. We really appreciated the article that featured our environmental operations in your beautiful magazine r.travel. It is encouraging to see our efforts recognized by such a prestigious and well known organization.'
William Morani Jr
Vice President Environmental Management Systems
Holland America Line

'As a small, grassroots organization, we benefit so much from your efforts - gaining widespread recognition and making contacts from all around the world. And, since being recognized by the RT award, we have had a much higher volume of inquiries from responsibletravel.com!'
Bodhi Garrett
Founder - Andaman Discoveries and North Andaman Tsunami Relief

'The whole process has been excellent for us - we have gained some very useful publicity. It was great to meet so many interesting people at the awards and the lunch event was really superb. John Simpson was a great choice and it was very special indeed.'
Jim Walker
Chief Executive - Lake District Estates/ Ullswater Steamers/ Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway