WTTC announces Judges for 2008 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has confirmed the Judges for the 2008 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The Awards, which focus on best practices in sustainable tourism have gained international recognition for their rigorous three-step judging process.

Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and a world-renowned expert in sustainable tourism said, "The high calibre of our international judging panel and the rigorous on site inspection process is what distinguishes these prestigious Awards, bringing global recognition to the world's best practice examples of sustainable tourism. Our goal is to encourage the travel and tourism industry to play a larger role in protecting the cultural and natural heritage of our planet while also delivering tangible local economic benefits."

This year's judges on the Finalist Selection Committee are:

- Dr Peter Burns, Professor, Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton, UK
- Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters & Associates, Australia 
- Nicky Fitzgerald, Senior Director, CC Africa, South Africa
- Erika Harms, Executive Director of Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation, Costa Rica & USA
- Marilú Hernández, President, Fundacion Hacinedas del Mundo Mayas, Mexico 
- Dr Janne J Liburd, Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark & Chair, BEST Education Network
- Brian Mullis, President, Sustainable Travel International, USA 
- Mahen Sangkhrajka, President, Big Five Tours and Expeditions, Kenya 
- Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions (P) Ltd 
- Albert Teo, Managing Director, Borneo Eco Tours, Malaysia 
- Jessica Hall Upchurch, Director of Sustainability, Virtuoso, USA 
- Michelle White, Director, Environmental Affairs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Canada & Global

This internationally acclaimed panel represents the public and private sectors as well as media and academia. Its members will review and select a shortlist of finalists in each of the four award categories to move into the second stage, when on-site inspections will take place. During the third stage of judging, a final judging panel will choose the winner for each category.

Members of the Final Judging Panel include:

- Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, USA 
- María Isabel Salvador, Minister of Tourism, Ecuador 
- Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, Telegraph Media Group, UK 
- Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director, World Travel Market, UK

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