If you thought it was time to wrap up and hibernate for the winter, think again! Dust that suitcase off and get packing because the winners of the 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards were announced on Wednesday.
How do I know? I was there – with my Responsible Tourism Awards Project Manager hat on for responsibletravel.com!This is the 3rd year that responsibletravel.com has been organising the Awards and this year we received over 1200 nominations from members of the public for holidays that they felt really made a difference.
With Awards given in 13 categories, from mountain to marine, and protected area to poverty reduction, the winners ranged from major tour operators, Intrepid Travel, joint overall winner, to small community lodges such as Ol Malo Lodge & Trust in Kenya, their fellow joint overall winner.
UK holidays also made a good showing; while green timeshare Trelowarren and the eco-conscious Bedruthan Steps Hotel flew the flag for Cornwall, at the other end of the country Wilderness Scotland were praised for their efforts to ensure that all their trips begin at a train station.
And talking of trains, not only did The Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership scoop Best Transport Initiative, having increased rail use by over 170% in 9 years in Norfolk, but we were able to put a face to the name as Mark Smith, the mysterious Man in Seat 61 stepped up to the stage to accept the Award for the person who has made the greatest contribution to responsible tourism. Creating Seat61.com in his spare time, he has led thousands of us away from the airport and through the maze of European rail travel – and beyond!
So while you leave me to dream about relaxing in Sukau Rainforest Lodge in an ecological paradise, or in the vibrant community-run lodge of Il N’gwesi, you can check out all the Award winners and download a brochure at responsibletravel.com/awards – and plan your own holidays!
And if you’re in the UK reading this on 11 November, don’t forget to pick up a copy of The Times for full coverage of the Award winners.
Katie
If you liked that post, then try these...
What's your 'everyday eco?' by Vicky on April 26th, 2009
I've been thinking a lot lately about how being busy everyday can affect how green you live.
It's all about the greenhouse this year by Vicky on March 7th, 2009
My great uncle Bill used to spend hours in his greenhouse.
Veg Patch Diaries 2008 by Vicky on June 24th, 2008
Although I'm not going to write in any great detail about my veg growing adventures this year I just wanted to do a quick update and let you know (those of you who are interested) that despite not much success last year we haven't given up on the good life yet.
December 18th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
I’ve been to Trelowarren in Cornwall and it totally deserves its Responsible Tourism award. The owner has converted some old buildings into very environmentally-friendly holiday accommodation – both for sale as timeshare and weekly rental. They’ve installed a biomass boiler which produces heat and hot water using wood coppiced from their forests. They’ve got a brilliant restaurant which sources 80% of its raw ingredients from within the 10 square miles of the Lizard. And they are very nice people to deal with.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:43 am
Hello
I am really excited. This will be my first time visiting, good work. Good stuff.
..!
G’night