PAWTUCKET – The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council today was named a finalist in The World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2008 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. It is one of 12 organizations selected by an international panel of a dozen experts led by sustainable tourism advocate Costas Christ. The finalists were chosen from a pool of 150 applicants, representing more than 40 countries.
“Travel and tourism is an ever-growing industry,” WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten said in a statement today. “In 2007, it saw a growth rate of 3.9 percent and employment rise to over 231 million jobs worldwide. However, as environmental concerns increase, this industry plays a crucial role in driving the agenda on responsibility.
“On behalf of all WTTC members, we proud to announce this year's finalists and applaud their shared vision for sustainable tourism development.”
The winners and two finalists in each of four categories will be honored this spring during a gala dinner at the 8th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, slated for April 21 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The BVTC is a finalist in the Destination Award category, along with the Rinjani Trek Ecotourism Programme in Indonesia and the Town of Bouctouche in Canada. Finalists in the other categories – the Conservation Award, Investor in People Award and Global Tourism Business Award – include destinations in Australia, Kenya, South Africa, the Honduras, Peru, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Sweden.
“Sustainable tourism practices are ramping up to a new level as the tourism industry moves beyond basic recycling programs and washing sheets and towels every other day,” Christ said. “There is a more sophisticated effort happening now at ‘greening’ tourism operations and delivering tangible returns for conservation and community development.
“The 2008 finalists represent the very best examples among a great pool of exceptional award applicants who are part of the global transformation of tourism now underway.”
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is the state-designated tourism planning and development agency for northern Rhode Island. It works with other local, state, regional and national organizations to develop a coordinated “visitor industry” in the northern Rhode Island communities of Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Pawtucket and Woonsocket. To learn more about the BVTC, its education programs or its river and walking tours, or to obtain information about visiting northern Rhode Island, visit www.blackstonevalleytourismcouncil.com.
The World Travel & Tourism Council is a trade group whose members include the chief executives of more than 100 of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies; Travelport is its strategic partner for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. For additional information about the awards program and each of the 12 finalists, visit www.tourismfortomorrow.com .
