Global travel awards shortlist
T
he shortlist will soon be revealed for the first International Travel & Tourism
Awards, presented by WTM London. The awards, which will take place during WTM London at Tobacco Dock, a short journey from ExCeL London, on Tuesday November 6, will include 13 categories judged by an independent panel of experts and senior figures from each sector. Categories include Best National Tourism Board Campaign/ DMO Campaign; Best Regional/ City Campaign; Best Wellness Destination; Best LGBT Destination; and Most Innovative Use of Technology Within a Destination. Entries are now in and judging will take place on July 5, with the shortlist announced the following week. Judges have been drawn from major bodies including UNWTO, London & Partners, the Global Wellness Institute and the Public Relations and Communications Association. Winners will be revealed at a gathering of more than 500 senior industry figures, including many
government ministers. The ceremony will take place at the Grade I-listed Tobacco Dock, a protected historic monument. The timber-beamed building once housed imported tobacco but is now a world- class venue. Tobacco Dock is easily reached
from WTM London’s ExCeL venue using either the special bus laid on for the event or the Docklands Light Railway.
Paul Nelson, the awards’ co-
founder, said: “This is an exciting new event for us – a chance to reward the best in travel globally. We are delighted with the level of interest in participating in the awards. It also promises to be a great night for celebrating and relaxed networking at an historic venue.”
Annabelle Canwell, senior vice-
president of travel partnerships at National Geographic, said: “We are delighted that WTM has launched these awards which will recognise excellence and sustainability in destination marketing.”
Illegal wildlife trade pledge
T
he illegal wildlife trade is under further attack from the tourism industry with a new pledge to
tackle the problem. The Buenos Aires Declaration on
Travel and Tourism and Illegal Wildlife Trade is an initiative being led by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and sets out specific steps the global travel industry can take. The scheme aims to promote
responsible wildlife-based tourism as well as investing in local communities. Signatories commit to promote
responsible experiences, raise awareness among customers, staff and trade networks and engage with and invest in local communities. Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “WTTC is proud to be undertaking this new initiative, which aims to ensure that our sector is fully engaged in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade. “This challenge has been identified by our members as a priority for our sector. Wildlife tourism is a significant generator of income for communities around the world, particularly in least developed countries, and the illegal wildlife trade puts at risk not only the biodiversity of our world but also the livelihoods of these communities.” During the WTTC’s global summit in Buenos Aires in April, The Travel Corporation (TTC) – which also has a decade-old not-for-profit conservation organisation, the TreadRight Foundation – became an early signatory of the declaration. TTC’s chief executive Brett
Judging takes place on July 5
Tollman said: “It is a privilege for our organisation to be among the first to sign such an important
initiative.The Buenos Aires Declaration has been particularly encouraging to TTC and TreadRight as it identifies specific actions that the sector can take.”
Great American West rebrand F
ive US states have rebranded their cooperative marketing effort under the name The Great
American West.
Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming have jointly marketed themselves as The Real America for the past 27 years but have chosen the new name to better reflect their geography, western heritage and icons such as national
8 wtm insights summer 2018
parks and monuments. “We had been looking for a brand
that directly captures the feeling you get when you visit our states, and we have done that with The Great American West,” said James Hagen, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. The rebranding is the result of four years’ research among international markets.
“We are The Great American West,” said Diane Shober, Wyoming Office of Tourism executive director. “As we work to collectively market our five-state destination, it’s imperative that our name clearly defines who we are while inspiring travellers to learn more and experience the adventures that are found in this region.” Idaho Tourism will rejoin the consortium on July 1, after an absence of four years. The regional cooperative is fully funded by each of the state
Iceberg Lake Trail, Montana
wtm.com
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