For twelve consecutive years, the Skal International “Sustainable Development in Tourism” Awards were presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 74th Skal World Congress that, for the first time, is being held aboard a cruise departing from the Big Apple on September 28 and stopping in Boston, Portland, Halifax, St. John, and New England.

The Awards Ceremony was held on September 29, 2013 and conducted by Mr. Nigel Pilkington, Director of Business Affairs of Skal International. The trophies and certificates were presented by the President of Skal International, Mr. Mok Singh, in conjunction with Vice-President Karine Coulanges.

Skal, founded in 1934, is the largest organization of travel and tourism professionals in the world. To encourage the conservation of the environment and help to promote the development of responsible and sustainable tourism, Skal International initiated an awards program in 2002, during “The Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains” as declared by United Nations.

Since the launch of the awards in 2002, they have received strong ongoing support and attracted a high level of participation, with a total of 482 entrants. This year, a total of 26 projects, from 17 countries, have entered the eight different categories. Further information on the projects received:

Complete list of projects
http://skal.org/pdf/projects2013_en.pdf

Projects per countries and categories
http://skal.org/pdf/countries&categories_en.pdf

As usual, Skal International selected the panel of three independent judges from important institutions/organizations or experts in Eco and Sustainable tourism, to make the evaluation of all the projects. The primary criteria for the evaluation is based on such points like, contribution to the conservation of nature and cultural heritage, community involvement, educational features, business viability and innovation.

Skal International wishes to express its gratitude to the three independent judges for accepting to carry on the evaluation and for the meticulous and laborious work conducted by them:

Mr. Ed Roberts
SEALED AIR
Regional Sustainability Director for Europe
www.sealedair.com

Mr. Jack Soifer
International Consultant and Editor
www.jackfeer.wordpress.com

Mr. John Gray
Owner
John Gray’s Sea Canoe
www.johngray-seacanoe.com

As part of the valuable partnership established with Skal, Diversey has generously produced the trophies and certificates presented to the winners. Diversey is a leading global provider of commercial cleaning, sanitation and hygiene solutions. It offers a total solutions approach to building care by combining chemicals, equipment, tools and services to improve customer operational efficiency. With application expertise ranging from kitchen hygiene and laundry to housekeeping, Diversey serves a broad range of industries including health care, retail, hospitality, food service, food and beverage and building service contractors (BSCs).

For third consecutive year, Diversey has presented a Special Recognition Award to one of the projects among the 26 competing in the 2013 edition of the Skal “Sustainable Development in Tourism” Awards. The “SKAL Special Recognition by Diversey” shares its aim with the “Sustainable Development in Tourism Awards” (SDIT), and designed to acknowledge projects which are new and innovative, set up to transform the conventional understanding of sustainability to deliver a most efficient output, closer to the idea of “integrated bottom line” where business and environment, along with safety, risk management, and corporate responsibility is managed.

Daniel Dagget, Ph.D., Director, Product Stewardship and Sustainability attended the 74th Skal World Congress and provided valuable information about significance of sustainability in the tourism industry and presented the outstanding award to the business which excelled in sustainability.

The Diversey Special Recognition Award, handed out by Daniel Dagget went to:

HERITANCE KANDALAMA, SRI LANKA
Submitted by Heritance Kandalama
www.heritancehotels.com

WINNERS OF THE SKAL “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM” AWARDS

In the category of Tour Operators & Travel Agents:

ANDULELA EXPERIENCE (South Africa)
Submitted by Andulela Experience, supported by Skal International Cape Town
www.andulela.com

In the category of Rural Accommodation:

KINONDO KWETU TRUST (Kenya)
Submitted by Kinondo Kwetu/Coromandele Resort
www.kinondo-kwetu.com

In the category of Urban Accommodation:

Q STATION RETREAT (Australia)
Submitted by Mawland Quarantine Station, supported by Skal International Sydney North
www.qstation.com.au

In the category of General Countryside:

ALLTOURNATIVE, ECOARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVENTURES (Mexico)
Submitted by Alltournative, supported by Skal International Riviera Maya
www.alltournative.com

In the category of Educational Programs & Media:

THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM (Thailand)
Submitted by The Code Organization, supported by Skal International Bangkok
www.thecode.org

In the category of Cities & Villages:

LOSINJ – ISLAND OF VITALITY (Croatia)
Submitted by Mali Losinj Tourist Board, supported by Skal International Kvarner
www.tz-malilosinj.hr

In the category of Transportation:

ELECTRIC BOATS (Thailand)
Submitted by Mermaid Cruises & Shipping Company, supported by Skal International Hua Hin & Cha Am
www.huahincruises.com

In the category of Major Tourist Attractions:

THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (United Kingdom)
Submitted by National Trust, supported by Skal International Northern Ireland
www.huahincruises.com