World responsible tourism award
1 Dec 10
Kangaroo Valley received a special ‘Highly Commended’ award from International judges for Best Destination at the Responsible Tourism Awards held at the World Travel Market in London.
We are the first Australian community to have ever received recognition in this, the most prestigious awards of their type in the world.
I was fortunate enough to travel to London to the awards, thanks to the generous support of the Kangaroo valley Tourist Association.
So on a very cold, wet and dark day in England, I ventured a little nervously into the ExCel centre in Docklands, where the awards formed the centre piece of the World Travel Market (the largest travel exhibition and conference on the planet).
Sponsored by BBC World, Virgin Holidays and Responsible Travel.com, the ceremony coincided with the United National World Tourist Organization’s World Responsible Tourism Day.
So this really was a BIG day for all those trying to make the world a better place.
This year there were 1765 nominations for the awards. The judging process involved an initial market review undertaken by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism and a long list prepared.
The nominated companies had then to write a submission.
Three referees were also requested to write a statement (Mayor Paul Green, Shoalhaven Tourism Board manager Tom Philips and John Dee of Do Something were our referees).
Then the organisers selected an independent consultant(s) in each country to assess each nominated company.
From this a short list was produced.
Then an expert panel of judges examined the submissions/referees statements and consultants reports and agreed on finalists and winners.
Sometimes if the judges feel that two nominees are very close they award a ‘Highly Commended’ award (which is what Kangaroo Valley received).
So our award is no small achievement.
There were speeches made by Tony Juniper (one of the world’s best known environmentalists and campaigners, previously Director of Friends of the Earth) and throughout the day formal televised interviews by BBC World HARDtalk journalists Stephen Sackur (interviewees included the general secretary of the UNWTO).
So what does all this mean for the Valley?
We can be proud of putting community first and trying to become more self-sufficient.
It recognises all the hard work community members put into the pathway, arts and cultural events, growing and promoting local produce. These are all efforts that both locals use and visitors enjoy.
It also reinforces our desire to maintain our community in its size and style.
It recognises that community should not be overtaken by tourism.
It also recognises the Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association’s efforts to do its share through the promotion of local food and wine, encouraging low carbon business practice, starting the plastic bag free campaign, promoting our heritage and fostering responsible enjoyment of nature.
We are now planning to establish a wildlife corridor to help tackle the impacts of Climate Change.Above all it reconfirms that Kangaroo Valley is a destination that offers a real holiday, not a ‘supermarket experience’.
Tourism has all too often become ‘packaged’ which has lead to some destinations offering a bland experience, a ‘me too’ copy of another competitor.
This can result in a downward spiral of discounting.
It can then also leave a community at the mercy of a disproportionate number of visitors.
In Kangaroo Valley the KVTA encourages a focus on authentic holidays which offer real value and create genuine memories.
The KVTA hopes that this international award can be shared with other community groups for the benefit of maintaining our lovely community and its natural heritage.
Chris Warren