THE SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE AND WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH THE WORLD SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY AWARDS, ELEVATING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM TO NEW HEIGHTS
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (The Alliance) is thrilled to announce a partnership with the World Travel Awards today. |
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THE SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE AND WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH THE WORLD SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY AWARDS, ELEVATING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM TO NEW HEIGHTS
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (The Alliance) is thrilled to announce a partnership with the World Travel Awards today. |
Category: Worldwide - Industry economy
- Sustainability
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2024-01-30
This collaboration aims to oversee a high integrity and clear award submission collection process for the inaugural World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) and to serve as a significant member of the Advisory Board for the WSTHA.
The announcement was made at FITUR in Madrid in anticipation of the WSTHA Ceremony set to take place in Belize on 27th September 2024.
In his role as CEO of The Alliance, Glenn Mandziuk will serve as vice-chair on the Advisory Board, working alongside esteemed authorities, academics, and dignitaries within sustainable tourism.
The board will guide the WSTHA programme to reflect the travel and hospitality ecosystem, including best practice, standards, and the award category list.
Other members of the Advisory Board include Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Belize; Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability, World Travel & Tourism Council; Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic; Patricio Azcárate Díaz de Losada, General Secretary, Responsible Tourism Institute; Fran Brasseux, Executive Director, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Instituteonal Education; and Susan Hooper, Chair, Carbon Gap.
Mandziuk noted, "As we kick off 2024, we are excited to announce this partnership with World Travel Awards to foster the establishment of the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, which strengthens our position and network in leading the industry to Net Positive Hospitality.
The new programme will undoubtedly highlight the hospitality industry’s expertise and collective efforts towards achieving Net Positive.
It's an honour to join the Board, and I eagerly anticipate collaborating with these sustainability experts and leaders as we make a significant impact on capturing the best in class examples of sustainability progress within our industry."
The WSTHA will feature up to 30 award categories covering the broad spectrum of the travel and tourism economy, from community initiatives and eco hotels to food sourcing and clean water.
The winners will be revealed at the WSTHA Gala Ceremony 2024 in Belize, atended by leading figureheads of sustainable tourism. The Alliance, in collaboration with strategic partners, addresses key global challenges affecting the planet, people, and places.
As part of this partnership, The Alliance will establish and execute a process to collect and screen best practices exemplifying Net Positive Hospitality.
These best practices will be used to capture case studies that will foster advancement within the hospitality sector.
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, WSTHA, commented: "We are delighted to partner with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and welcome such a high calibre expert to our Advisory Board. We look forward the Alliance's contributions in steering our programme with the goal of raising the bar for sustainable best practice and leading the net positive future of our industry. We eagerly anticipate welcoming them in Belize for the inaugural WSTHA Gala Ceremony on 27th September 2024.
As the Official Host Destination of WSTHA 2024, Belize is commited to responsible tourism and encourages travellers to engage with its rainforests, reefs, and unique culture sustainably.
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Belize, added: “Sustainability and responsible tourism are at the core of our value system in Belize. We are excited to host the inaugural WSTHA in September 2024, spotlighting our best practices and fostering sustainable interaction with our rainforests, Barrier Reef, and local communities. We are honoured to have a group of sustainability trailblazers join the awards Advisory Board to ensure the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards are a resounding success.”
About the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together engaged hospitality companies and the wider hospitality value chain, along with strategic partners, to address key challenges affecting the planet, people and places around the world.
Through their strategic initiatives and global networks, they develop practical programmes and resources to create a prosperous and responsible hospitality sector that gives back to the destination more than it takes.
Their members represent over 50,000 hotels spanning 270 brands – totalling over 7 million rooms – and include world-leading companies including Accor, Choice Hotels International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, as well as regional brands. Their network also includes other parts of the hospitality value chain, including owners, investors, suppliers, and other partners to further drive joined up action on sustainability, and accelerate the industry on the path to Net Positive Hospitality.
About World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards
World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards serves to recognise, celebrate and reward excellence in sustainable travel and hospitality. By acknowledging organisations pioneering best practice to safeguard our communities and destinations, WSTHA aims to catalyse a net positive future. Launched at COP28 in Dubai, it is the sister programme of World Travel Awards, established in 1993 to acknowledge excellence in travel. Our goal is for every organisation, in every sector of travel, to have a net positive impact.
About the Belize Tourism Board
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is a statutory body within the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The BTB works in conjunction with members of the private sector - including the Belize Hotel Association, Belize Tourism Industry Association, and Belize National Tour Operators Association - and is dedicated to building tourism in the most economically and environmentally sustainable manner. As a part of its responsibilities, the BTB promotes Belize as a premier tourism destination for both in-country and international consumers. Among its outreach to the international travel market, the BTB markets the country's unique attractions to travelers, members of the travel trade industry, and media outlets in key markets. The BTB is also dedicated to developing and implementing tourism programs that will help strengthen and grow the Belizean tourism industry; promote good destination stewardship; and instil high-quality standards for accommodations and travel experiences.
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