SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM AWARDS

GUIDELINES

What is Skl? Who are Skl members?

Skl, founded as an international association in 1934 is the largest organisation of travel and tourism professionals in the world, embracing all sectors of the tourism industry, including hoteliers, travel agents, airlines, tourism media, tourism students etc. Skl with 20,000 members is active in 90 Countries and approximately 500 locations worldwide. More information can be found at www.skal.travel Skl International is an Affiliate Member of the World Tourism Organization whose mission is to promote the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Skl has adopted the Global Code of Ethics in Tourism, and is also a sponsor to the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from sexual exploitation in tourism, and supports the new project ST-EP (Sustainable Tourism- Eliminating Poverty)

What is the aim of Skl International Sustainable Development in Tourism Awards and when was it first launched?
Skl International following the United Nations declaration of 2002 as the Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains, launched the Ecotourism Awards in the same year, to highlight and acknowledge best practices around the globe. Skl, as an international organisation of the industry leaders, is a powerful force in the travel and tourism industry to initiate change and encourage the conservation of the environment in order to promote tourism and travel. The awards presented on these grounds, while highlighting best practices in tourism around the world, also serve the purpose of acquainting the world with this new concept that puts emphasis on the importance of the interaction of the physical, cultural and social environment the traveller's responsibility and the need for active community participation for Sustainability. Eco and Responsible Tourism are only a small part of Sustainable Tourism. To have a greater impact and recognition in the Sustainable Development domain in tourism, we decided to consider Eco and Responsible Tourism as part of the greater picture of Sustainable Tourism. Therefore, in 2011, these awards were renamed Sustainable Development in Tourism Awards.

Who is eligible to participate in the Awards and what are the categories?
Companies from the public and private sector as well as NGOs can submit entries in the following categories: 1. Tour Operators Travel Agents 2. Urban Accommodation 3. Rural Accommodation 4. Transportation 5. General Countryside (Alpine Tourism, Underwater Projects, Beaches, Theme Parks, Scenic Mountains, Rivers, Lakes) 6. Cities Villages (Community and Government Projects) 7. Educational Programmes Media 8. Major Tourist Attractions

What are the criteria for winning the Awards?

The primary criteria will be based on the following evaluation points: 1. Contribution to the conservation of nature, environmental considerations 2. Cultural heritage conservation 3. Community involvement and benefits 4. Educational features 5. Business viability 6. Innovation

How to apply for the Awards?

Three sets of the following material is to be sent to the Skl International General Secretariat: 1. 2. 3. 4. Descriptive report - General description of the project not exceeding one page. Evaluation points - Short analysis of each of the points indicated on the application form. Brochure(s), any published material. CD (Maximum 5 minutes) - Preferably a Power Point presentation with illustrations/pictures highlighting ecotourism aspects of the entry. (Entries without a CD will not qualify) 5. Letter of verification from the local or National Tourism Organisation, from the Government department or local Authority if the project is not being sent or endorsed through the local Skl Club. 6. Application form

All this material should be forwarded to the following address: Skl International General Secretariat Edificio Espaa Avenida Palma de Mallorca 15-1 29620 Torremolinos SPAIN Tel: 0034-952.389.111

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 31 MAY 2012 Who are the judges and how do they make their evaluation?
The independent judges are from important Institutions/Organisations dealing with Eco and Sustainable tourism. A complete set of entries is sent to each judge separately and they are asked to award points reflecting their judgement. All the evaluation points are then totalled by the General Secretariat to determine the winners.

When and where does the Awards Presentation Ceremony take place?
The winners will be presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 73rd Skl World Congress to be rd held in Incheon, Korea, on Wednesday 3 October 2012.

SKL INTERNATIONAL
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM AWARDS
APPLICATION FORM
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 31 MAY 2012

Name of company applying for the Award Program: ____________________________________________________________ Private Sector Community Government Body NGOs

If submitted through Skl International, please indicate the name of the Skl Club or National Committee: ____________________________________________________________

Name of the Project: ____________________________________________________________ Project/Company Website: _______________________________________ Contact person: ________________________________________________ E-mail: _______________________________________________________

CATEGORIES: (Please tick the appropriate category in which the project is presented. Should it fall under more than one category, please tick the most appropriate one) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Tour Operators Travel Agents Urban Accommodation Rural Accommodation Transportation General Countryside (Alpine tourism, underwater projects, beaches, theme parks, scenic mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.) 6. Cities Villages (Community and Government Projects) 7. Educational Programmes Media 8. Major Tourist Attractions

As the projects will be sent simultaneously to the three independent judges for the evaluation, please prepare three sets of your application containing the following: 1) Descriptive report - General description of the project not exceeding one page. 2) Evaluation points Please give a short analysis of each of the following points as it applies to your project and enclose any additional documents, pictures, acknowledgements, etc. to support your answers, if you deem it necessary: Contribution to the conservation of nature, environmental considerations Cultural heritage conservation Community involvement and benefits Educational features Results already achieved Business viability Innovation Any other highlights

3) Brochure(s) or any published material. 4) CD (Maximum five minutes) Preferably a PowerPoint presentation with illustrations/pictures highlighting the sustainable aspects. Entries without a CD will not qualify. 5) Letter of verification from a local or national Tourism Organisation, from the Government department or local Authority is necessary if the project is not being sent or endorsed through the local Skl Club. 6) Application form (enclosed below)

Please submit your project in triplicate before the deadline of 31 MAY 2012 to: Skl International General Secretariat Avenida Palma de Mallorca, N 15-1 Edificio Espaa 29620 TORREMOLINOS (MALAGA) SPAIN. Tel: (0034) 952.389.111 If you have any query, please contact sandra.vera@skal.org Winners will be presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 73rd Skl World Congress to be held in Incheon, Korea, on Wednesday 3 October 2012.

Signature: _________________