Final three chosen for New Frontiers Award 2008
Vietnam, Mozambique and California shortlisted for prestigious
honour recognising the sheer determination of human spirit
Travel and tourism professionals from around the world will gather in Dubai on 6th May at a special awards ceremony to honour the recipient of this year’s New Frontiers Award.
Vietnam, Mozambique and California are the final three destinations deemed by judges to have made an outstanding contribution to tourism development in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The finalists were chosen considering a number of decisive factors such as: their utilisation of aid packages, support from local and national government, tangible efforts of recovery and the sheer determination of human spirit.
Initially ten destinations were selected of which three have made it onto the short-list. The final award winner will receive US$10,000 worth of complimentary exhibition space at Arabian Travel Market 2009 in Dubai.
The panel of judges including Tom Nutley, President, Reed Travel Exhibitions; Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions; Walter Lo Faro, Director of Market Management, Middle East & Indian Ocean, Skal, the International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals and Prem Patel, Senior Director ¬- Marketing, American Express Middle East, have managed to identify three extraordinary efforts.
Tom Nutley said: “The final three destinations have made an indelible impact on tourism development, against all the odds. I’m sure all of the travel trade professionals and special guests will be humbled when they hear the awe inspiring stories on the awards night.”
Vietnam: Despite the ravages and threats of bird flu, Vietnam has been able to continue attracting tourists. This is due in no uncertain way to the action taken by the government, tourist bodies and donors. In 2007 tourists arriving in the country topped four million – up 25% in just two years. It is expected that the country will welcome eight million people by 2010.
California: Fuelled by the Santa Ana winds, the bush fires that swept through the hot, dry state of California destroyed more than 1,600 homes with an estimated material damage of more than $1bn. Among the worst affected areas was around San Diego, where evacuation centres struggled to provide shelter for more than 300,000 people. Despite the disaster, the city continued to accommodate visitors, with many of its main attractions and business centres remaining in operation. Tourism is the third-largest industry in San Diego, with an annual spend of around $8.2 billion.
Mozambique: As one of the poorest countries in the world, but with some of the most spectacular beaches, Mozambique sees tourism as a potential lifesaver and is making all efforts to bolster its popularity. With considerable grant support from both The World Bank and USAID, the government has said that revenue from international tourists rose to over US$144 million dollars last year, a 50% increase in just two years.
