World Travel Market 2004 is set to play host to the first Responsible Tourism Awards to be presented on Responsible Tourism Day at the travel and tourism�s premier trade event on Wednesday 10 November, 10.30 on the WTM Stage.

Holidaymakers are being asked to reward travel companies that put the environment and local communities first, by nominating them for one of the new Responsible Tourism Awards.

The award scheme recognises companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to �responsible� tourism � that is, projects which make a positive contribution to the conservation and the economies of local communities, while minimising the negative impact tourism can have.

The awards, in nine categories, are organised by online travel agent responsibletravel.com, in association with World Travel Market, The Times, and Geographical Magazine � the magazine of the Royal Geographical Society.

Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director World Travel Market said: �This year World Travel Market is celebrating ten years of involvement with environmental and social issues in tourism. We have already announced that Environmental Awareness Day is being renamed Responsible Tourism Day, in recognition of the awareness of the impact travel and tourism has both on the environment and on local communities. We are therefore delighted to host the Responsible Tourism Awards, which will give recognition to best practice in responsible tourism and showcase this increasingly important aspect of the sector.�

Justin Francis of responsibletravel.com said: �Many of the stunning places we all love to visit on holiday are coming under increasing pressure, both environmentally and socially, from the enormous growth of tourism. By asking holidaymakers to tell us about responsible destinations, tour companies and accommodations, we will be able to celebrate those organisations that are making a very real positive difference to our holiday destinations.�

One winner will be selected from the nominations for each of the nine award categories, which range from awards for specific ecosystems, such as the marine environment and mountain areas, to sectors of the travel industry such as transport and accommodation. There will also be an overall winner who will receive the Responsible Tourism Award for 2004.

The judges hope to receive nominations from all over the world, and stress that suitable projects are just as likely to be found in the UK as in more far-flung destinations.

Nominations must fall into one or more of the following categories:

1. An organisation related to a mountain environment, such as an eco- friendly ski resort or a trip that contributes to the welfare of mountain porters

2. An organisation related to a marine environment, such as a clean beach campaign or a marine ecotourism trip

3. An organisation related to a national park or other protected area, such as a wildlife safari or rainforest trip that maintains the rights of indigenous people

4. An organisation related to the helping the economies of local communities in the developing world, such as a �fair trade travel� initiative

5. The Friends of Conservation special award for an organisation related to the conservation of endangered species

6. A tour operator that acts responsibly towards the environment and local people

7. An hotel, lodge or other accommodation that acts responsibly towards the environment and local people

8. A form of transport that acts responsibly towards the environment

9. A new business initiative that shows particular innovation or entrepreneurship in responsible tourism

The closing date for nominations is 25 September 2004.

Nominations can be made online at www.responsibletravel.com/awards and at www.timesonline.co.uk/travel. Readers of The Times and Geographical Magazine will be able to nominate by filling in a Responsible Tourism Awards Form that will be published in the September issue of Geographical Magazine and in the September travel section of The Times from 4 September

The judging panel is Harold Goodwin, International Centre for Responsible Tourism, University of Greenwich; Cath Urquhart, travel editor, The Times; Nick Smith, editor, Geographical Magazine; Justin Francis, ceo, responsibletravel.com; Sue Hurdle, Travel Foundation; Jonathan Hodrien, Friends of Conservation; Richard Hammond, travel journalist and media consultant and Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director, World Travel Market.

-ends-

9 August 2004

For further information contact Simon Greenbury on tel: +44 (0) 208 441 3773 or email simon@janelarcombecommunications.com

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Reed Travel Exhibitions is part of Reed Exhibitions Ltd. who organise over 430 events in 32 countries, serving 49 different industries in 13 key sectors, attracting over 90,000 exhibiting companies and more than 4 million visitors every year.

2. As a member of the Reed Elsevier plc group, the world-leading business and information provider, Reed Exhibitions is unique in offering integrated market access programmes covering exhibitions, trade publications, direct marketing and the Internet. Reed Elsevier�s business titles are closely linked with Reed�s exhibition activities across both geographic and industrial markets. It also has a growing portfolio of electronic publishing and information services, including LEXIS-NEXIS, the world�s leading provider of on-line information services and management tools.

3. Reed Travel Exhibitions organise 13 events worldwide, including World Travel Market, Arabian Travel Market, C.I.S. Travel Market, EIBTM, British Travel Trade Fair, Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), International Golf Travel Market, Top Resa, Mediterranean Travel Fair, ICCA Exhibition, in association with the ICCA Congress, International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), La Cumbre and Latin American & Caribbean Incentive & Meetings Exhibition (LACIME).

4. For further press information, please visit the Reed Travel Exhibitions� website on www.reedtravelexhibitions.com