New Zealand overall winner at Responsible Tourism Awards

The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards were announced this week at the World Travel Market in London, with New Zealand being named the overall winner.

In addition, the country was named the Best Destination, owing to its strategic, comprehensive approach to responsible tourism.

The panel of judges congratulated New Zealand for setting an example as to what governments can achieve in partnership with the private sector, to harness the tourism sector for the benefit of a country’s people and the environment.

“If more national governments followed their example, tourism would make a much more positive contribution around the world,” the judges added.

There were 13 more awards handed out, which saw Explore receiving the Best Tour Operator award and First Choice being highly recommended.

The head of sustainable development at TUI Travel, Jane Ashton, was the joint winner of the Best Personal Contribution award, which she shared with the CEO of the Countrystyle Community Tourism network in Jamaica, Diana McIntyre-Pyke.

A new category in the Awards was Best Cruise or Ferry Operator, which was won by Holland America Line.

Kingfisher Bay Resort, on Fraser Island in Australia, received the Best Large Hotel award, and Nkwichi Lodge in Mozambique was named Best Small Hotel.

Thanks to www.travelmole.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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