Skal International Sustainable Tourism Awards winners announced

The sixteenth annual presentation of the Skal International Sustainable Tourism Awards has taken place on Friday 6 October 2017 during the Opening Ceremony of the 78th Skal World Congress held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). 

These awards have enjoyed growing success since their launch in 2002 to highlight best practices in tourism around the world and 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 Sustainability.

This year, they are being officially sponsored by Halterios, a Tourism Management, Branding/Social Responsibility and Marketing Consultancy based in Spain. Halterios' marketing department recently presented to the tourism industry the Stone Paper®, an intelligent, ecological and environmentally responsible product.

47 entries from 28 countries have competed in ten categories.

Skal International is an Affiliate Member of the UNWTO and this year has incorporated a special category to award the sustainable Tourism Destinations on the occasion of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

Three distinguished experts in sustainability have independently evaluated the entries received according to a series of criteria such as nature preservation, carbon offsetting, climate change mitigation, human rights protection, local employment, etc. and Skal International sincerely appreciates their time and efforts for the meticulous and laborious work they have conducted:

Community and Government Projects
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Kenya
Award collected by Anil Nair, Senior Sales Manager, Nijhawan Group

Countryside and Wildlife
Panthera Africa, South Africa
Award collected by Rory Goldhill and Anne Lamb, President and Secretary, Skal International Cape Town

Educational Iinstitutions / Programmes and Media
El Nido Resorts / Ten Knots Development Corporation, Philippines
Award collected by Robert Sohn, President, Skal International Asia

Major Tourist Attractions
Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, Finland
Award collected by Tuija Sandberg, CEO, Kaivosyhtio Arctic Ametisti Oy

Marine
Marine Dynamics Tours, South Africa
Award collected by Brenda du Toit, PR, Marine Dynamics Tours

Rural Accommodation
La Loma Jungle Lodge and Chocolate Farm, Panama 
Award collected by Maximo Herrero, Past President, Skal International Panama

Tourism Destinations
Tourism Central Australia, Australia  
Award collected by Dianne Logan, Managing Director, Your Special

Tour Operators - Travel Agents
Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps, Kenya
Award collected by Julie Dabaly-Scott, International Skal Councillor for Kenya

Transportation
Okeanos Sustainable Sea Transport, Vanuatu
Award collected by Gregoire Moutardier, Managing Director, Okeanos Sustainable Sea Transport

Urban Accommodation
Vineyard Hotel, South Africa
Award collected by Rory Goldhill and Anne Lamb, President and Secretary, Skal International Cape Town