SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARDS

2016

SKÅL INTERNATIONAL

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARDS CEREMON Y
Sunday, 30 October 2016

The fifteen annual Skål Sustainable Tourism Awards has taken place on Sunday 30 October 2016 in the frame of the Opening Ceremony of the 77th Skål World Congress held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
 
The initial awards were presented in 2002 following the United Nations declaration of 2002 as the Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains, to highlight and acknowledge best practices around the globe. The awards were launched to highlight best practices in tourism around the world and also serve the purpose of acquainting the world with this new concept that puts emphasis on the importance of the interaction of the physical, cultural and social environment the traveller's responsibility and the need for active community participation for Sustainability.
 
This year, 42 projects have competed in eight categories and the winners have officially been announced and congratulated on their results by Skål International Vice Presidents, David Fisher and Susanna Saari.  
 
Skål International selects a panel of three distinguished experts in sustainability to evaluate the projects independently. The primary criteria for the evaluation are based on:  
  • Contribution to the conservation of nature
  • Cultural heritage conservation
  • Community involvement and benefits
  • Educational features and benefit
  • Business viability and economic growth
  • Innovation and creativity
  • Marketing value generation (brand enhancement)
  • Health, safety and wellbeing of employees and guests
Skål International sincerely appreciates their time and efforts for the meticulous and laborious work they have conducted:
Three prominent and distinguished judges have independently evaluated the entries received according to leadership criteria in sustainability that encompass tangible, measurable benefits to the environment, enhance business, and the society and communities in which they operate. for the meticulous and laborious work they have conducted.

Skål International sincerely appreciates their time and efforts for the meticulous and laborious work they have conducted.

 

ANDAMAN DISCOVERIES

TOUR OPERATORS AND TRAVEL AGENTS

ANDAMAN DISCOVERIES
Thailand

Award collected by Robert Sohn, President Skål International Asia, on behalf of Andaman Discoveries.

HOTEL VERDE

URBAN ACCOMMODATION

HOTEL VERDE
South Africa

Award collected by Samantha Annandale, CEO & General Manager, Hotel Verde

SIMIEN LODGE

RURAL ACCOMMODATION

SIMIEN LODGE
Ethiopia

Award collected by Mikre Azmeraw, General Manager, and Greta Iori, Sales Manager, Simien Lodge

BIOSPHERE EXPEDITIONS

COUNTRYSIDE AND BIODIVERSITY

BIOSPHERE EXPEDITIONS
United Kingdom

Award collected by Kathy Gill, Strategy Adviser, Biosphere Expeditions

PENNICOTT WILDERNESS JOURNEYS

MARINE AND COASTAL

PENNICOTT WILDERNESS JOURNEYS
Australia

Award collected by David Reed, President, and Alfred Merse, Past President, Skål International Hobart, on behalf of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

AMIGOS DE SIAN KA'AN

COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT PROJECTS

AMIGOS DE SIAN KA'AN
Mexico

Award collected by Gonzalo Merediz Alonso, Executive Director, Amigos de Sian Ka'An, Zendy Celeste Euan Chan, Secretariat of the Community Tourism Network of the Maya Area, Bardo Avelar, President, Skål International Mexico, and Jane Garcia, President, Skål International Cancun.

ASSINIBOINE PARK CONSERVANCY

MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

ASSINIBOINE PARK CONSERVANCY
Canada

Award collected by, John Van Houdt, President, Skål International Winnipeg, on behalf of Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

CAPILANO UNIVERSITY

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND MEDIA

CAPILANO UNIVERSITY
Canada

Award collected by, Jase Williams, Tourism Management Program, Capilano University