8th ECOTOURISM AWARDS
2 NOVEMBRE 2009
70th SKÅL WORLD CONGRESS, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Once again, this year the Ecotourism Awards Ceremony was a great success; the 8th Annual Skål International Ecotourism Awards were presented by the President of Skål International, Hulya Aslantas and Director External Communication & Media Karine Coulanges, during the Opening Ceremony of the 70th Skål World Congress held in Budapest, Hungary, on 2nd November 2009 at the Palace of Arts.

Skål, an international association since in 1934 is the largest organisation of travel and tourism professionals in the world. It is the only association which embraces all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, in five Continents, 90 Countries and at over 500 locations, with 20,000 members from hoteliers to travel agents; airline, maritime, waterways, railway and coach transportation companies, tourism media, tourism academies and official tourism promotion bodies, etc.

Skål International is aiming at quality in tourism and 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 and responsible tourism.

To encourage the conservation of the environment and help to promote the development of responsible and sustainable tourism, Skål International initiated an awards program in 2002, during “The Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains” as declared by United Nations.

While the purpose of these awards was to highlight best practices in ecotourism around the world, they were also created with the aim 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 traveler’s responsibility and the need for active community participation for Ecotourism.

In their eight year the awards have received continued support worldwide and this year 49 entries were received originating from 25 Countries; seven from Asia, 11 from the Americas, 15 from Europe, 10 from Africa and six from Oceania.

The Awards show the true implication of Skål International towards the protection of the environment in conjunction with sustainable tourism. Ecotourism, together with other alternative forms of tourism strengthens the local economies and contributes to sustainable development

The applications were evaluated by three independent judges and the scores given by each separately, are added up to find the winners. The primary criteria for the evaluation is based on such points like, contribution to the conservation of nature and cultural heritage, community involvement, educational features, business viability and innovation.

Skål International is grateful for the meticulous work conducted by the three judges,

• Eugenio Yunis, from UNWTO
• Jack Sofier, Swedish Education and Consulting, Portugal
• José Koechlin, Inkaterra, Peru

Johnson Diversey (www.johnsondiversey.com) whose global mission assumes a green position that supports sustainability in terms of Ecology, Efficiency, reduction in energy consumption, Food and Employee safety, is our main sponsor. The products they create and the methods they use are all aimed at making our world a safer and cleaner place.

This year, Iznik Foundation (www.iznik.com.tr) was a cosponsor of the quartz trophies they have specially designed for Skål International. Combining ecology with the unique art of Iznik (Ancient Nicea); the awards are a sign of preservation of natural sources and traditions and with their special characteristics they are specially chosen to emphasize the value of our global riches.

The winners are announced as follows:

1. In the category of Tour Operators and Travel Agents:

FRONTIERS NORTH ADVENTURES, submitted by Frontiers North Adventures, CANADA  www.frontiersnorth.com - click here to view their experience at the Awards

2. In the category of Urban Accommodation:

WE CARE – OPERATION PENGUIN, submitted by Choice Hotel Scandinavia, NORWAY www.choice.no 

3. In the category of Rural Accommodation:

BASECAMP MASAI MARA – KENYA, submitted by Basecamp Explorer Group, NORWAY www.basecampexplorer.com

4. In the category of General Countryside:

SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM, submitted by Daintree Discovery Centre, AUSTRALIA www.daintree-rec.com.au

5. In the category of City and Villages:

GOEDGEDACHT TRUST, submitted by Skål International Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA  www.goedgedachttrust.org.za

6. In the category of Educational Programmes - Media:

MIDLANDS MEANDER EDUCATION PROJECT, submitted by Midlands Meander Association, SOUTH AFRICA www.mmaep.co.za - Click here to view the Awards Presentation

Detailed information about the winners can be found on the Skål International website or by clicking here.

For any further information please contact:
Skål International
General Secretariat
Edificio España
Avenida Palma de Mallorca 15-1º
29620 Torremolinos - SPAIN
Tel: +34 952 38 9111

Previous Winners:

Awards 2008 / Awards 2007 / Awards 2006 / Awards 2005 / Awards 2004 / Awards 2003 / Awards 2002