Nominations are currently being sought by the Adventure Travel Trade Association for its inaugural Pioneers of Adventure Travel awards program set to debut at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Seattle October 16, 2005.
The purpose of the new recognition program is to honor past and present pioneers of new routes and destinations, commercial adventure travel enterprises, responsible tourism practices, innovative partnerships, and groundbreaking consumer education and awareness initiatives in the world of adventure travel. Pioneers will be acknowledged for having created, challenged in a positive and productive way, protected, evolved and helped to enhance the overall state of the adventure travel industry.
Nominations may be submitted until October 4, 2005for the following adventure travel categories:
- Tour Operator (Two categories: Domestic and International/Overseas)
- Destination Marketing Organization (includes tourist boards, tourism ministries)
- Lodge and/or Attraction
- Adventure Travel Guide (individual award)
- Specialty/Adventure Travel Agency
- Specialty/Adventure Travel Agent
- Retailer (Travel, Outdoors, Adventure, etc.)
- Media (print or broadcast)
- Manufacturer
Peer-based judging for the awards program includes the ATTA leadership, ATTA Advisory Board and the Adventure Travel World Summit Advisory Committee.
Judges will evaluate nominees on the following measures as: quality of management and leadership; creation of new adventure market niches; industry-galvanizing initiatives; strategic collaboration efforts leading to innovative and lasting partnerships; introduction and advancement of responsible tourism practices (e.g., ecotourism, sustainable tourism, voluntourism); professional support, mentoring and development of others in the industry; setting of “gold bar” customer service standards; execution of business strategy and on-the-ground operations; and legacies left behind for others in the industry build upon.
