WTM Special Report: Tribes Travel, one of the first operatiors set up specifically to promote holidays which benefit local people, wildlife and environment, has walked off with two Responsible Tourism Awards.

The First Choice-sponsored awards organised by responsible travel.com were presented at World Travel Market.

Tribes Travel was the overall winner and also walked off with the best tour operator award.

More than 700 nominations were received from consumers for the awards which also saw UK-based Discovery Initiatives taking the award as best company for conversation of endangered species, while the best use of technology prize went to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) for its commitment to “inspire, inform and enable” people to live more sustainably.

Sustrans, which runs the UK national cycle network, took the ward for best mode of transport or initiative.

Guerba won the best in a mountain enviornment award, gaining recognition for its employment of local guides and porter protection policies in Kilimanjaro and the Inca Trail.

The Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism was voted best for poverty reduction; beach and coffee shop operator Venus Company took the best in a marine environment award; Basecamp Mara in Kenya was best in a protected area/national park and Whitepod, which offers an alternative means to explore the Swiss Alps, took the innovation award.

Responsibletravel.com CEO Justin Francis said: “What makes these awards different is that tourists have nominated tourism ventures that they felt provided an outstanding holiday, that also benefited local people and the destination.”

Report by Phil Davies   

Related News Stories :   New Brussels Airlines UK boss named     KLM launches direct flights to Lima     TUI unveils new multi-million pound ad campaign     MyStays inks signs new agreement with Sabre     Interview: Justin Fleming, chairman, Holiday Places Group     Ryanair to replace most Malev routes