What is Skål? Who are Skål members?

Skål, founded as an international association in 1934 is the largest organisation of travel and tourism professionals in the world, embracing all sectors of the tourism industry, including hoteliers, travel agents, airlines, tourism media, tourism students etc. Skål with 20,000 members is active in 90 Countries and approximately 500 locations worldwide. More information can be found at www.skal.travel

Skål International is an Affiliate Member of the World Tourism Organization whose mission is to promote the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Skål has adopted the Global Code of Ethics in Tourism, and is also a sponsor to the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from sexual exploitation in tourism, and supports the new project ST-EP (Sustainable Tourism- Eliminating Poverty)

What is the aim of Skål International Ecotourism Awards and when was it first launched?

Skål International following the United Nations declaration of 2002 as the Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains, launched the Ecotourism Awards in the same year, to highlight and acknowledge best practices around the globe.

Skål, as an international organisation of the industry leaders, is a powerful force in the travel and tourism industry to initiate change and encourage the conservation of the environment in order to promote tourism and travel. The awards presented on these grounds, while highlighting best practices in tourism around the world, 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 Ecotourism.

Skål values sustainable development in Tourism as the key to the industry's future success and considers Ecotourism but one area of the various components of sustainable development.

Who is eligible to participate in the Awards and what are the categories?

Companies from the public and private sector as well as NGO’s can submit entries in the following categories :

1. Tour Operators – Travel Agents
2. Accommodation providers of any size and category
3. Transportation
4. General Countryside (Alpine Tourism, Underwater Projects, Beaches, Theme Parks, Scenic Mountains, Rivers, Lakes)
5. Cities – Villages (Community and Government Projects)
6. Educational Programmes – Media
7. Global Corporate Establishments

What are the criteria for winning the Awards?

The primary criteria will be based on the following evaluation points:

1. Contribution to the conservation of nature, environmental considerations
2. Cultural heritage conservation
3. Community involvement and benefits
4. Educational features
5. Business viability
6. Innovation

How to apply for the Awards?

The entry form that can be found at Ecotourism Awards Application Form (pdf) which together with three sets of the following, complementary information is to be sent to the Skål International General Secretariat by 15 July 2010 at the latest:

1. General description not exceeding one page
2. Brochure(s), any published material
3. CD - Maximum five minutes - Preferably a Power Point presentation with illustrations/pictures highlighting ecotourism aspects of the entry. (Entries without a CD will not qualify)
4. *Letter of verification from the local or National Tourism Organisation, from the Government department or local Authority.

*Does not apply to category 7.

All this material should be forwarded to the following address:

Skål International
General Secretariat
Edificio España
Avenida Palma de Mallorca 15-1º
29620 Torremolinos, SPAIN

Who are the judges and how do they make their evaluation?

The names of the previous years' judges can be found on the Skål website. The three independent judges are from important Institutions/Organisations dealing with Eco and Sustainable tourism. A complete set of entries is sent to each judge separately and they are asked to award points reflecting their judgement. All the evaluation points are then totalled by the General Secretariat to determine the winners. For obvious reasons the names of the judges for 2010 will be announced at the Awards ceremony.

When and where does the Awards Presentation Ceremony take place?

Winners are announced at the Annual Skål World Congresses attended by members worldwide and dignitaries from the host country.

The 2010 Award presentation ceremony will take place in Sydney, Australia, on 8 October 2010 during the 71^st Skål World Congress and the winners will be announced by the President of Skål International, Nik Racic.