Green Traveler: Responsible Tourism Awards

Green Traveler is a series about travelers making a difference at home or abroad.

Alexander Lyons wrote this guest post about the Responsible Tourism Awards 2011.  He is the manager of the Responsible Tourism Awards as organized by responsibletravel.com.

Lyons is always interested in connecting with organizations that have exciting stories to share in responsible tourism, and can be contacted on alex@responsibletravel.com.

The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2011 are now open for nominations.

Know of an organization leading the way in responsible tourism? Share your knowledge and you could win a holiday for two to Kenya.

The Responsible Tourism Awards are once again inviting you to nominate the shining stars of responsible tourism – the most inspiring stories and dynamic innovations ensuring tourism benefits local people, environments, and biodiversity.

Stayed at a green B&B owned by people who love the land and their community, or heard of a tour operator creating fantastic tourism experiences that get to the heart of destinations?

Do you love holidays that celebrate local traditions and preserve cultural heritage, or get passionate about wildlife and biodiversity? Do you believe that all tourism can be responsible, whether that’s trekking or skiing, rafting the rapids or diving the deep?

If so, you could help choose an Award winner. Help recognize and inspire change in the tourism industry by nominating someone in any of 13 categories, including:

• Best tour operator for local experiences;
• Best accommodation for the environment;
• Best accommodation for local communities;
• Best volunteering organization;
• Best in a marine environment;
• Best destination and
• Best low carbon initiative.

If you nominate a winner you’ll enter a prize draw to win a holiday for two to Kenya.

Nominations can be made online at the official site www.responsibletourismawards.com.

But be quick, nominations close on Friday, June 17, 2011.

Image courtesy of the Responsible Tourism Awards.

This is a Guest Post.