British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
The British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise organisations in the tourism industry which have made a positive contribution towards their local natural and cultural environment.
“The Kasbah du Toubkal is an extraordinary venture, the product of an imaginative Berber and European partnership. There is a shared belief that the beauty of the Toubkal National Park should be accessible to all who respect it. To this end the Kasbah has been transformed, using traditional methods, from the abandoned home of a Feudal Caïd into an unprecedented haven;
one that provides a variety of accommodation and event possibilities to meet differing requirements.
The Kasbah is a welcoming environment for those seeking a comfortable mountain refuge and for those who wish for superb rooms in a stunning setting. It is also a conference centre for those who are searching for a venue that inspires, one that provides peace in a spectacular and remote location, whilst providing the best of modern equipment.
The Kasbah du Toubkal is not a hotel in the traditional sense; it is more an extension of the hospitality that stems from the home of the Berbers who run it.”
Five tourism projects, including two UK entries, have clinched top honours in the travel industry’s leading responsible tourism awards.
The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise and promote the world's leading examples of best practice in responsible tourism development across several categories.
The winning projects were chosen from five environmental award categories and include:
| Category | Winner | Highly Commended |
|---|---|---|
| Protected Areas & National parks | Bouma National Heritage Park, Fiji Islands | UNESCO-NTA Lao Nam Ha Ecotourism Project, Laos |
| Accommodation | Club Sun N Sand, Kenya | Tiamo Resorts, the Bahamas |
| Tourism Organisation | Tribes Travel | Exodus Travel Ltd Lake District Tourism & Conservation Partnership |
| Built Environment | Greaves Travel Limited in association with Jaisalmer in Jeopardy, India | Kasbah du Toubkal, Morocco |
| Environmental Experience | Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, Canada | Marine Discovery Centre, Queenscliffe, Australia |
| Large-scale Tourism | none | Xcaret, Mexico |
Judged by an independent panel of leading environmental and conservation experts, including David Bellamy, Virginia McKenna, and Sir Crispin Tickell, projects are assessed on the extent to which they benefit and involve the local community and how they protect the natural environment. The impact of visitors on the local environment is also monitored, as well as energy and water sources and the effects of waste.
Talking about the awards, Professor David Bellamy, Chairman of the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Global judging panel, said: “The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are now firmly established as the global showcase for sustainable tourism development. This year’s winners are all excellent examples of the way it is possible to captivate the tourist without overlooking the needs of the environment and local people. Without efforts like these, tourism itself faces a threatened future.”
British Airways Chairman, Lord Marshall said: “Tourism for Tomorrow raises awareness of the world’s role models for sustainable tourism. This year’s winners reflect the encouraging growth of sustainable tourism in the UK and the high standard of entries means that we can expect a deserving Global winner.”
In addition, the judges have selected highly commended runners-up in each category. They include: the Lao Nam Ha Ecotourism Project in Vietnam, Tiamo resorts in The Bahamas, the Kasbah du Toubkal in association with Discover Limited in Morocco, the UK based Exodus Travels, the Lake District Tourism and Conservation Partnership, Xcaret environmental park in Mexico and The Marine Discovery Centre in Queencliffe, Australia.