• Portugal, Spain, India and Indonesia winners of UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism

    February 4, 2018
    Portugal, Spain, India and Indonesia winners of UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism

    TravelBizNews —

    Madrid : Turismo de Portugal I.P (Portugal), Ecotourism Trust (India), Tryponyu (Indonesia) and SEGGITUR (Spain) are the winners of the 14th Edition of the UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism.

    Fourteen projects among 128 applicants from 55 countries were selected as finalists of the 14th UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism.

    The winning projects, divided into four categories – Public Policy and Governance, Research and Technology, Enterprises, and Non-governmental Organizations –, have been announced at the UNWTO Awards Ceremony held tonight in Madrid at the International Tourism Trade Fair in Spain (FITUR).

    “Today we honour the vision and commitment of individuals, administrations, companies and organizations that every day build a better future by harnessing the potential of tourism. The work of all the finalists of the 14 UNWTO Awards on Innovation is an inspiration to all of us”, underlined UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, in his opening remarks.

    Attended by nearly 500 participants from different countries, the UNWTO Awards Ceremony, co-organized by IFEMA|FITUR, emphasized how the tourism community has embraced sustainable and innovative approaches.

    The UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism are held annually to highlight and promote the work of organizations and individuals around the world that have impacted the tourism sector. Their achievements have served as an inspiration for competitive and sustainable tourism development and the promotion of the values of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals.

    The 14th Edition  of the UNWTO Awards was organized in collaboration with the International Tourism Trade Fair in Spain (IFEMA/FITUR) and supported by other eight organizations.

    List of Awardees of the 14th UNWTO Awards for Innovation (Category – Organization-  Project   -Country )

    Public Policy and Governance 

    Tourism Training Talent (TTT)   -Portugal   – Winner

    Ente de turismo de la ciudad de Buenos Aires  , MiBarrio applied research Project , Argentina – Second Prize

    Management Committee of Longmen Grottoes ,World Cultural Heritage Park  “Internet + Longmen” action plan,  China  -Third Prize

    Enterprises

    Ecotourism Trust  Conservation and Livelihoods: Community , MANGALAJODI  India -Winner

    Valle dei Cavalieri  Community and Resilience: two villages tackle depopulation  Italy  -Second

    Balesin Island Club  Three-Pillar innovation Initiative  Philippines  – Second

    Great Plains Conservation and the Great Plains Conservation Foundation  Conserving and expanding natural habitats ,Botswana and Kenya – Third Prize

    Non-Governmental Organizations

    Triponyu.com   Connecting people through local experiences  Indonesia  – Winner

    Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda,Strengthening community tourism ,México – Second

    The Sumba Hospitality Foundation ,Educating and empowering local communities for Sustainable tourism futures ,Indonesia -Third

    Associazione YODA IT.A.CÁ- Migrants and Travelers, Festival of Responsible Tourism   Italy – Third

    Research and Technology

    SEGITTUR  Smart Tourism System (SIT)  Spain  – Winner

    EarthCheck Building Planning and Design Standard (BPDS)  Australia – Second

    Croatian National Tourism Board eVisitor- Croatian national tourist information system  Croatia – Third

    Jan.18, 2018

    • Connecting you with the world of travel and tourism

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      Asia Pool & Spa Expo , May 10 – 12, 2025 , Guangzhou , China

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      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

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