London, UK: The Fourth Annual World Tourism Award, co-sponsored by American Express (AMEX), Avis, International Herald Tribune (IHT) and…
London, UK: The Fourth Annual World Tourism Award, co-sponsored by American Express (AMEX), Avis, International Herald Tribune (IHT) and Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), presented at a special ceremony at the Opening Day of World Travel Market 2001 (
The World Tourism Award 2001 presentation took place on stage at the Central Feature Area, Earls Court. Representing the sponsors were Ms. Lorig Yekhpairian, CTC, Vice President, Worldwide Coordination, American Express Travel Related Services; Mr.Gerard Quirk, Vice President, International Sales and Marketing, AVIS; Andrew Thomas, Global Client Director, International Herald Tribune; and Tom Nutley, Managing Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions. Accepting the Awards on behalf of Mexico were Mexico Minister of Tourism, H.E. Ms. Leticia Navarro, and Chief Executive Officer of the Mexico Tourism Board, Mr. Javier Vega Camargo.
The Mexico Tourism Board- MTB (Consejo de Promocion Turistica de Mexico), recently created in September, 2000, as a public and private partnership, was formed by Mexico`s tourism industry and state and federal governments, to promote travel to Mexico. It functions as an executive agency of Mexico`s Ministry of Tourism, with autonomous management and the broad participation of the private sector. The MTB strives to promote tourism through the active involvement of the tourism industry in Mexico and its private sector partners. The group is dedicated to positioning Mexico as a complete travel destination and increasing Mexico`s tourism presence internationally by approaching tourism as a strategic initiative for the country.
Since its inception, the Mexico Tourism Board has recorded a dramatic increase in tourism. In only the first five months of 2001, the country has recorded a 6% increase in the number of visitors over the same period in 2000.
About the World Tourism Award
The annual World Tourism Award, established in 1997 by American Express, International Herald Tribune and Reed Travel Exhibitions, joined by Avis this year, recognizes the extraordinary initiatives by individuals, companies, organizations, destinations and attractions, for outstanding accomplishment in the travel industry.
The 1997 Award recognized World Peace Through Tourism and the honorees were the member countries of MEMTTA (Middle East Mediterranean Travel & Tourism Association): Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Malta, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Turkey.
The 1998 Award was for Outstanding Economic Development Through Tourism and was presented in association with American Tourism Society (ATS) to the new emerging Europe, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
The Third Annual Award in 1999 was presented to the China National Tourism Administration and the Hong Kong Tourist Association in recognition of the Outstanding Impact Of Travel And Tourism On Generating Employment Growth.
The Award, a specially designed Steuben Crystal bridge, PARTNERSHIP, celebrates the bond of a supportive partnership, which like a bridge, spans both time and distance.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
