EXPLORING ECOTOURISM

Reflections on Awards
by Ron Mader

AWARD LINKS

Few people give or receive an award that is not 'prestigious.'

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QUESTIONS

How should awards be evaluated?
How green are the green tourism awards?
Are awards a substitute for certification?
Are there award programs that highlight the best websites of indigenous and aboriginal tourism associations or operators? If so, what criteria are used to evaluate the sites?

HEADLINES

Nominations Open for Planeta.com's 2008 Ecotourism Spotlight Award

BACKGROUND

Participants in the Ethical Marketing of Ecotourism Conference and the Ecotourism Certification Workshop emphasized that awards play an important role in establishing a positive reputation for an eco lodge or guide service.

Acknowledging best practices in tourism ecotourism is still evolving. Leaders who attempt to work in an ethical and ecological fashion do so not necessarily for the recognition, but appreciate the kudos given by their peers.

What's interesting is that the award tends to certify the recipient AND the donor. 'How green is that lodge? It won x-award.' 'How green is that organization? It gives the x-award.'

How 'green' are the green tourism awards? It depends who you ask!

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to evaluating award programs. Some request applicants nominate themselves. Others seek out leaders and award them for their accomplishments. Some programs provide a financial incentive to the winner. Others ask that the 'winners' pay for their prize.

Critics point out that some award programs choose the winner based on whether or not the winner is attending a particular trade event or conference.

Here are some true stories from first-hand experiences as a judge, recipient and grantor. Also, we turn the spotlight on other award programs.

JUDGE

In 2001 Conde Nast Traveler (CNT) asked me to be a judge for their annual ecotourism award which as of 2007 is now called the World Savers Awards. It has been a positive experience seeing how the award has become more demanding and competitive.

Tour operators, destinations and hotels nominate themselves by completing a six-page application. CNT then sorts through the nominees and delivers pertinent information on the finalists to the judges. As judges, we receive detailed information including the original application, but have no opportunity to visit the sites first-hand.

Having served as a judge for various eco-related award programs over the past few years, my impression of this particular process is completely positive. I believe that the award-winning establishments had done enough to deserve the Conde Nast kudos and that CNT is to be commended for their coverage and handling of ecotourism.

RECEPIENT

In the past decade, I have won numerous awards for my work and in particular for the Planeta website.

For the major awards, including Mexico's Silver Lens, I had to nominate myself or count on friends to do this on my behalf. I don't like this approach, but it's part of the rules of the game.

A few years ago I won a prestigious award from the Conference of Latin America Geographers in recognition of contributions to enhancing and disseminating knowledge of the geography of Latin America. No cash award, but it was very satisfying to win an award without having to nominate myself.

In 2008 I am reviewing various awards.

GRANTOR

In 2000 Canyon Travel President Emilio Kifuri surprised me with the good news that he wanted to give me a sizeable fund to disburse to worthy pioneers of ecotourism in Mexico.

For background, consult the short history of the Colibri Award.

MORE AWARDS

Government websites that spotlight ecotourism and sustainable travel are eligible to win Planeta.com's Ecotourism Spotlight Award.

Planeta.com's annual Book of the Year Award asks readers what about the must-reads.

AUTHOR

Ron Mader is the Latin America correspondent for Transitions Abroad and host of the award-winning Planeta.com website.

EVALUATING AWARDS

If we wish to see better award programs, we need to evaluate the ones that currently exist. It's helpful to look at other awards -- not just those for ecotourism. Use this worksheet.