Global CEO Brett Tollman presents two sustainable tourism awards at the Global Travel & Tourism Summit

For Immediate Release

24th, May 2011, Toronto -- For the fourth consecutive year, The Travel Corporation (www.thetravelcorporation.com) and its Conservation Foundation (www.ttcconservationfoundation.com) are the proud Gold Sponsors for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards which was held in Las Vegas on May 17th.  The prestigious awards ceremony was organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) during the twelfth annual Global Travel & Tourism Summit.  The four deserving winners, spanning from across three continents, received the coveted awards, two of which were bestowed by The Travel Corporation’s Global CEO, Brett Tollman.

With over three decades of experience and leadership in the travel & tourism industry, Brett Tollman has held a place on WTTC’s board of directors since the 1990s.  As an avid supporter of sustainable tourism around the globe, he is also one of the founding partners of The Travel Corporation’s Conservation Foundation, their non-profit organization which fosters sustainable tourism and protects culturally & ecologically sensitive areas around the world.  The foundation’s feature projects include Trafalgar Tours (www.trafalgar.com) protection of heritage sites & monuments, Insight Vacations’ (www.insightvacations.com) partnership to preserve historic European battlefields and Uniworld’s (www.uniworld.com) sponsorship aimed at improving the sustainability of river cruising on Egypt’s Nile. In addition, Contiki Holidays (www.contiki.com) has partnered with adventurer & filmmaker Céline Cousteau who for the next three years will help further educate travelers and staff about environmental issues, particularly marine ecosystems.

“Through The Travel Corporation’s Conservation Foundation, our brands will continue to fund this important work and provide additional support through our staff volunteering programs,” said Global CEO, Brett Tollman, “Our sustainable projects are empowering indigenous communities to protect their natural environment & culture, preserving historical sites, minimizing pollution and implementing water & energy conservation to precious waterways.“
 
Now in their seventh year, the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards (www.tourismfortomorrow.com), under the stewardship of the WTTC, recognizes best practices in sustainable tourism within the travel & tourism industry worldwide.  Chosen from 12 finalists and over 180 award entries from more than 60 countries, the four winners who best exemplified successful work in advancing sustainable tourism were Singita Pamushana - Conservation Award, Guludo Beach Lodge - Community Benefit Award, Alpine Pearls - Destination Stewardship Award and Intrepid Travel - Global Tourism Business Award.

The winners underwent a rigorous judging process by an international team of 22 independent judges, led by Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges, WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and a leading expert on sustainable tourism.  Christ is also an awarding-winning travel writer and eco traveller who has explored more than 125 countries.

Costas Christ commented: "We are entering a new era where sustainable tourism principles and practices are no longer represented by a handful of well-meaning companies. Instead, sustainability itself has emerged as an important global initiative for protecting natural environments and assisting the well being of local communities.  Companies such as The Travel Corporation’s continued sponsorship and passionate commitment to help safeguard the cultural heritage and ecosystems of our planet is exemplary.”

---ENDS--

About The Travel Corporation:
The Travel Corporation is a highly successful international travel group with over 25 award winning brands including Trafalgar Tours, Contiki Holidays, Insight Vacations, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Red Carnation Hotels.  The Travel Corporation’s guiding principle is one of providing the most enjoyable, enriching travel experience for its customers across the globe.  www.thetravelcorporation.com

About The Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation:
The Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization which supports work that fosters sustainable tourism and protects culturally and ecologically sensitive areas around the world.  The Conservation Foundation is a joint initiative by leading companies from the Travel Corporation family of brands.  These travel brands act collectively in the spirit of cooperation, individual brands will often champion a cause on behalf of all Foundation members, acting as a Lead Sponsor for a project.

www.ttcconservationfoundation.com

Media Contact :
Marie Anne MacRae
Director of Public Relations
Email: marieanne.macrae@travcorp.ca
Phone: (416) 915-7016