Travel Industry Mega and Micro Players Awarded for Sustainability Initiatives at AWFT2023

October 19, 2023, Seville – On the 4^th edition of A World For Travel (AWFT2023) sustainability summit, October 17 to 19, in Seville Spain, an exceptional jury awarded 6 companies for their outstanding efforts in the pursuit of a more sustainable travel industry.

The AWFT Sustainability awards celebrate those outstanding individuals, companies, and organizations whose willingness to think ahead and act responsibly have earned them recognition and an award in one of 6 categories: climate action, environmental impact, technological prowess, economic success, societal development and resilience.

“We were particularly surprised by the dozens of quality nominations received. This proves concretely that many players in the industry are taking action through innovative measures that drive positive change.  It is essential for us, as organizers of the A WORLD FOR TRAVEL to herald such initiatives and amplify their efforts to influence others,” said Christian Delom, the organization’s Secretary General.

The event opened with stirring words from Professor Lee Miles of Bournemouth University who reminded the audience of the importance in recognizing effort and celebrating achievements. Submissions were from every continent, from micro-organizations to global multinationals.  Judging looked at four major elements: purpose and design; implementation; innovation and impact.  Prof Miles lauded the winners in, “turning ideas into impactful actions” and reminded the audience that the industry must move from being purely transactional to transformational. 

The AWFT2023 recipients were presented their awards by Rajan Datar of the BBC:

GBTA –Global Business Travel Association received the CLIMATE CHANGE AWARD for the massive sustainability agenda that the association is putting in front of its global corporate membership, accepted by Catherine Logan, Regional SVP, EMEA and APAC;

RADISSON HOTEL GROUP received the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AWARD for the decades of leadership they have taken in the industry, accepted by Sergio Puntivero.

On this occasion, the ACCOR group received a SPECIAL RECOGNITION from the jury for the important work carried out throughout the chain.

MABRIAN TECHNOLOGIES received the TECHNICAL PROWESS AWARD for the brilliant tools/data and algorithms they develop to ensure fact based decision-making, accepted by Alex Villeyra, COO.

TREES4TRAVEL received the ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT AWARD for the new ZEERO program they have begun which allows a sustainability fund to develop and provides for diversification in offsetting methods voted on by shareholders.  The award was accepted by Co-Founders, Nicos and Elkie Nicholaos.

CREATIVE TOURISM NETWORK received the SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD for their unique programs touching communities and their expansive involvement in the transformation of destinations.  Accepted by Founder, Caroline Couret.

On this occasion, LATAM Airways received a SPECIAL RECOGNITION from the jury for the multiple programs they are running to support their communities from the recycling of uniforms reconstructed into cultural dress to emergency flights offered at no cost to provide food, water, transportation relative to regional crises.

INTREPID received the RESILIENCE AWARD for their industry leadership and tireless efforts with communities around the world accepted by James Thornton, CEO.

USAID (United States Agency for International Development) Project Turizam had multiple submissions which the judges felt were individually interesting but altogether extremely impressive, for that reason USAID’s Project Turizam deserves special recognition for the breadth of activities from community and product development to diversity and infrastructure development.  Accepting from Washington DC – Dr. Karl Wurster, Diplomat/Director, Economic Development, USAID and from Sarajevo, Fedja Begovic, Chief of Party, Project Turizam and Amjad Sawalha, Team Leader.

By implementing these annual awards, the AWFT2023 organizers are helping to take sustainability out of the darkness and shining a spotlight on activities others can replicate.  “Although the industry has a long way to go, through these awards we can see, beacons of hope, where ideas can be actuated that have true impact and exemplify innovation.” – Professor Lee Miles.

 

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