Leadership Award

The Responsible Travel & Tourism Forum Leadership Award will be presented to a Canadian travel & tourism organization that has demonstrated commitment to socially, economically, and environmentally responsible practices. We recognize that organizations are at different stages of the corporate social responsibility spectrum, and encourage all organizations that have embarked on this journey to consider making a submission. The winner will receive an award and grand prize courtesy of Air Canada.

Who is eligible?
The award is open to any organization that operates in Canada under the following categories:

  • Tour Operators (Inbound or Outbound)
  • Accommodation Providers (Chain and Independent)
  • Destinations (Convention & Visitor Bureaus, Tourist Boards, Tourism Authorities)

Guidelines for Submissions
The recipient of the Responsible Travel & Tourism Forum Leadership Award 2012 will have incorporated any number of the outlined eligibility criteria into its overall business practices, resulting in significant impact to environmental, social, and/or community sustainability within the travel & tourism sector.

All organizations must demonstrate that they have:

  • Developed policies to formalize and articulate the commitment or must have documented best business practices
  • Created programs to implement the policies and/or best practices
  • Involved its stakeholders (employees, suppliers, customers, community, shareholders) in the development and evaluation of the programs
  • Demonstrated accountability by reporting and communicating these initiatives
  • To be considered for the RTTF Leadership Award, candidates need to provide the following details:
  • Contact information including company name, key contact name, mailing address, email address, website, phone and fax numbers
  • A report outlining how your organization meets the eligibility criteria – feel free to include any supporting documents, collateral materials, or appendices
  • Examples and/or case studies of your company or organization’s initiatives

Eligibility Criteria

Environment
Environment comprises the elements that make up our natural surroundings (locally, nationally, and globally): water, air, earth, non-human life (plants, animals, etc.) and the complex relationship and ecological systems therein.

Criteria

  • Contributes to the preservation of habitats in the destinations, regions or areas in which an organization operates
  • Incorporates environmental values into travel and tourism planning and operational decisions
  • Committed to minimizing its negative impact and enhancing a positive contribution in destinations and in its overall operation
  • Consults and involves environmental experts and non-governmental organizations in environmental programs
  • Incorporated a climate change mitigation strategy (carbon footprint and carbon offsets) into its business plan

Social & Community
A socially responsible company defines community as encompassing the overall well being of society as a whole including all those people the business touches both directly and indirectly

Criteria

  • Companies must make an explicit community commitment through:
  • Philanthropy: contributing to the needs of a community without apparent benefit to their business
  • Commercial Initiatives: Partnering with community-based organizations that support the business success of the destination
  • Community Investments: Engaging in long-term strategic community partnerships

Commitment to a community would also be reflected in actions such as donating a percentage of pre-tax profits; giving priority to employment and suppliers that support the economy of the areas in which they operate; incorporating social values into purchasing and contracting decisions of hotels, transportation, excursions, food and beverage, etc.; considering local employment and training needs in human resources strategy; having a board and management team that understands community interests; and conducting social and environmental impact assessments at the travel and tourism planning stage.

 

Nominations for the 2011 RTTF Leadership Awards have now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. Award recipients will be announced in January.