Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) UK Announces 2010 Green Award Winners
Tourism Authority Thailand UK, in association with responsibletravel.com, is pleased to announce that The Sarojin is the Overall Winner of the Thailand Green Awards 2010! The Tourism Authority of Thailand was honoured to be joined by Her Royal Highness Princess of Thailand Ubolratana, who kindly presented the Awards at a prestigious ceremony at the Thailand stand at World Travel Market, Monday 8th November. Declared Overall Winner, and also winner of Best Large Hotel category, was The Sarojin (award collected by Richard Hume) "The Sarojin provides a brilliant example of a luxury resort remaining true to its local community during a crisis. Out of the devastation of the 2004 Tsunami, the Sarojin retained a consistent commitment to the local community by continuing to employ all local staff and staying close to their environmental principles," said Justin Francis, Managing Director of responsibletravel.com and organiser of the Thailand Green Awards Judging process. "The set up of their Khao Lak Community Fund has enabled them to contribute to local healthcare and educational schemes, and provided them with a framework to encourage guests to engage with the community through their 'Glimpse of local life' excursions. They also remain accountable and transparent around energy consumption and carbon reduction practices." Other winners and categories included: Best Small Hotel: Aleenta Resort & Spa - Phuket - Phangnga (award collected by Gill Webb) Best UK Tour Operator for Conservation of Nature and Wildlife in Thailand: Go Differently (award collected by Nikki Bond) Best UK Tour Operator for Local Communities in Thailand: All Points East (award collected by Lesley Schofield) The TAT Green Awards are intended to highlight, and further promote, Thailand's dedication to the conservation of its country's precious natural and cultural resources and support sustainable tourism development in tandem with the growing concern we all have for our planet. "The awards recognise and celebrate TAT's partners in the travel and tourism industry who have made an outstanding contribution to growing Thailand as a sustainable destination" said Joanna Cooke, Consumer Marketing & PR Manager for TAT. "Thailand's continued commitment to responsible tourism remains very inspiring, from local tour operators and hoteliers through to the Princess of Thailand, HRH Ubolratana, who has a passion for a type of tourism that respects communities and environments. Responsibletravel.com is delighted once more to be involved in the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Green Awards, and looks forward to taking part in the growth of Thailand's responsible tourism strategies." said Justin Francis, MD of responsibletravel.com Further information about the Thailand Green Awards can be found at www.responsibletourismawards.com/thailand Contact: Chris Lee, Trade Marketing Manager, Tourism Authority of Thailand, UK and Ireland Tel: 0207 925 2511 chris@tourismthailand.co.uk Joanna Cooke, Consumer Marketing Manager, Tourism Authority of Thailand, UK and Ireland Tel: 0207 925 2511 joanna@tourismthailand.co.uk Find out more about each of the winners at: The Sarojin www.sarojin.com Aleenta Resort & Spa, Phuket - Phangnga www.aleenta.com Go Differently www.godifferently.com All Points East www.allpointseast.com - Ends -
About responsibletravel.com: responsibletravel.com is the world's leading travel agent for responsible holidays. The site offers over 3,500 richer, deeper and more locally distinctive travel experiences that are better for destinations and local communities. Whether you're after an action-packed adventure, a relaxing beach escape or a charming countryside getaway closer to home, there's something to suit all tastes and budgets. Co-founder, Justin Francis had the original idea for the website on his travels through Africa having completed his MSc in Responsible Tourism. He launched the site with backing from Dame Anita Roddick in 2001 and since then has been included in Courvoisier’s The Future 500, Thames and Hudson’s 60 Innovators Shaping Our Creative Future and taken his place on the Advisory Board of The International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University. Based in Brighton, England responsibletravel.com also campaigns for positive change in the travel and tourism industry. About Tourism Authority Thailand The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was established on the 18th March 1960. TAT was the first organization in Thailand to be specifically responsible for the promotion of tourism. TAT supplies information and data on tourist areas to the public, publicizes Thailand with the intention of encouraging both Thai and international tourists to travel in and around Thailand, conducts studies to set development plans for tourist destinations, and co-operates with and supports the production and development of personnel in the field of tourism. Since the inception of the first local office of TAT in Chiang Mai in 1968, there are now 35 regional offices throughout Thailand. TAT has also established many overseas offices the first being in New York, which was opened in 1965. During the past 30 years, TAT has since established 15 more offices in different parts of the world.
