LONDON – WTM 2012 – REPORT: 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.
LONDON – WTM 2012 – REPORT: Jorie Butler Kent, Vice Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent and Founder & President, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy; Oman Sail; and the City of New Orleans were presented with the 2012 World Tourism Awards in a ceremony at World Travel Market, ExCeL Centre, London, on Monday 5th November 2012.
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 Awards was established to recognise “the extraordinary initiatives by individuals, companies, organisations, destinations and attractions for outstanding accomplishments in the travel industry”.
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 – 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 of Abercrombie & Kent and Founder & President of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, in recognition for “her 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.”
The second award honored Oman Sail, in recognition for “its 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 Oman’s maritime heritage, raising the country’s global profile as a high-end tourist destination.” Accepting the Award on behalf of Oman Sail was H.E. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Oman and Chairwoman of Oman Sail.
The third award honored The City of New Orleans, in recognition for “its 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 Orleans’ largest industry once again.” Accepting the Award on behalf of Hon. Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of the City of New Orleans was Scott Hutcheson, Senior Advisor to The Mayor for Cultural Economy.
The World Tourism Award itself is an exquisite Baccarat Crystal, “as spectacular as its meteoric namesake, the stunning clear crystal Shooting Star creation by David Tisdale for Baccarat celebrates extraordinary vision and leadership.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
