Corinthia co-sponsors World Tourism Awards at WTM

Jorie Butler Kent, Vice Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent, and Founder and President, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy; Oman Sail; and the City of New Orleans were presented with the 2012 World Tourism Awar

Jorie Butler Kent, Vice Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent, and Founder and President, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy; Oman Sail; and the City of New Orleans were presented with the 2012 World Tourism Awards in a ceremony on November 5, 2012 at World Travel Market, Excel Centre, London.

The World Tourism Awards, celebrating its 15th anniversary, are co-sponsored by American Express, Corinthia Hotels, International Herald Tribune, and Reed Travel Exhibitions. Inaugurated in 1997, the World Tourism Award was established to recognize โ€œthe extraordinary initiatives by individuals, companies, organizations, destinations, and attractions for outstanding accomplishments in the travel industry.โ€

This year, the three award recipients were honored for their dedication to sustainable tourism, preservation of natural and cultural heritage, as well as forging tourism partnerships to overcome challenging times.

Presenting the awards on behalf of the sponsors were Janet Libert, Editor-in-Chief, Executive Travel Magazine, American Express Publishing; Liam Lambert, Chief Operating Officer, Corinthia Hotels; Patrick M. Falconer, Managing Director โ€“ UK, Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa, the New York Times/International Herald Tribune; and Fiona Jeffrey OBE, Chairman, World Travel Market.

The first award honored Jorie Butler Kent, Vice Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent and Founder and President, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, in recognition for โ€œher development of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, and its commitment to sustainable tourism by sponsoring grassroots projects dedicated to preserving natural habitats, protecting wildlife, and promoting the welfare of indigenous communities throughout the world.โ€

The second award honored Oman Sail, in recognition for โ€œits contribution to tourism development through the sport of sailing to teach youth and empower women with valuable, transferable life skills, and instilling confidence, as well as rekindling Omanโ€™s maritime heritage, raising the countryโ€™s global profile as a high-end tourist destination.โ€ Accepting the award on behalf of Omail Sail was HE Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism And Chairwoman Of Oman Sail.

The third award honored the City of New Orleans, in recognition for โ€œits extraordinary success in the transformation and rebirth of the tourism industry post-Katrina and in the wake of the DeepWater Horizon oil spill, spurring new economic growth and jobs, to make tourism New Orleansโ€™ largest industry once again.โ€ Accepting the award on behalf of Hon. Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of the City of New Orlean, was Scott Hutcheson, Senior Advisor to the Mayor for Cultural Economy.

The World Tourism Award itself is an exquisite Baccarat Crystal, โ€œas spectacular as its meteoric namesake, the stunning clear crystal Shooting Star creation by David Tisdale for Baccarat celebrates extraordinary vision and leadership.โ€

PHOTO (From left to right): Liam Lambert, Chief Operating Officer, Corinthia Hotels; Patrick Falconer, Managing Director – United Kingdom, Northern Europe, Middle East And Africa, The New York Times/International Herald Tribune; Jorie Butler Kent, Vice Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent, Founder and President, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy; Scott Hutcheson, Senior Advisor To The Mayor For Cultural Economy, on Behalf Of Hon. Mitch Landrieu, Mayor Of The City Of New Orleans; H. E. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary, Oman Ministry Of Tourism, Chairwoman Of Oman Sail; Fiona Jeffery OBE, Chairman, World Travel Market And Just A Drop; and Janet Libert, Editor-In-Chief, Executive Travel Magazine, American Express Publishing

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...