The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) has today opened entries for its 2024 programme.
Individuals and organisations across the globe accelerating change and making an impactful contribution in sustainable travel and tourism are invited to enter for free.
21 categories covering the breadth and depth of sustainable travel and tourism have been selected by an Advisory Board of experts to reflect the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net positive framework of People, Planet, Place, Prosperity and Partnerships.
Using a simple set of criteria the entry deadline is 24 May.
Award entries will be analysed and vetted by students of sustainable business from the Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon, with approval of the shortlist by the WSTHA Advisory Board.
Global voting, open to travel and tourism professionals, will run from 14 June to 2 August.
Leaders in sustainable travel will be invited to attend the inaugural WSTHA Gala Ceremony in Belize, the Official Host Destination, on 27 September when the winners will be revealed.
Key Dates:
Awards open for entry 18 March
Entry deadline 24 May
Nominations revealed & global voting beings 14 June
Voting closes 2 August
Gala Ceremony, Belize 27 September
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, WSTHA says: “On behalf of WSTHA, I am delighted to open submissions for our inaugural programme. We welcome entries from across the sustainable travel and hospitality sector, with our goal to recognise and tell the stories of those accelerating change and making a sustainable impact on our planet for the next generation.”
As Official Host Destination of WSTHA 2024, Belize holds responsible tourism at its core and develops projects that encourage travellers to engage with its rainforests, reefs and unique culture in a sustainable manner.
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Belize, says: “We are excited for the next stage in The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, with all 21 categories open for submissions as of today. We encourage individuals, organisations and responsible travel advocates to share their stories and initiatives, highlighting how they are leading the way and making encouraging strides to a better future.”
The WSTHA programme is run in partnership with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance whose donor members and members represent over 50,000 hotels, 7 million rooms globally, 270 brands and 40+ supply chain and strategic partners.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and Vice-Chair, WSTHA Advisory Board, says: “In our quest for a Net Positive future, every organisation making strides in sustainable practices is a beacon of hope. Be it the integration of environmental, social, and governance criteria into financial decisions, or remarkable advancements in energy efficiency, each success story is a step towards an industry that contributes more than it consumes. As we prepare for this year’s Awards programme, I urge all pioneering organisations to make their voices heard and encourage as many submissions as possible. The time to celebrate our collective efforts and inspire change is now. The anticipation for the judging process this summer is palpable.”
The WSTHA Advisory Board comprises leading authorities, academics and dignitaries in driving net positive hospitality. Members include Chris Imbsen, World Travel & Tourism Council; Susan Hooper, Chapter Zero; Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic; Patricio Azcárate Díaz de Losada, Responsible Tourism Institute; Fran Brasseux, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Education; Hon. Anthony Mahler, Belize; Prof. Dr. Willy Legrand, IU International University of Applied Sciences Germany; Isabel Novoa, International Social Tourism Organization; Prof. Graham Miller, Nova School of Business & Economics, Lisbon; Xenia zu Hohenlohe, The Sustainable Markets Initiative.
