Launch of Responsible Tourism Awards 2008

The New Forest was last year's overall winner. Who will cruise in to win this year?

If you’ve got a favourite ethical getaway that you want to share, it’s time to nominate for the Responsible Tourism Awards 2008. The New Forest was the overall winner at last year’s award, proving that travel doesn’t have to be far flung to meet all your holiday fixes.

Justin Francis, co-founder of Responsible Travel explains that the aim of the Awards is; ‘to recognise and encourage the passionate pioneers who are helping to bring about real, positive and lasting change in the tourism industry.’

‘Not only is [responsible travel] a more enjoyable and authentic way to travel but it is also the only way forward if travel is to have a sustainable future’, says Francis.

Michael Palin offered his support to the awards, saying: ‘Getting to know more about each other remains one of the most important hopes for the peaceful future of the planet. If we are really to understand each other better, then we need to be reminded to travel carefully and thoughtfully, listening to people along the way and respecting the world we are privileged to travel through. The Responsible Tourism Awards are one of the most important ways in which we can understand how to travel better.’

The 13 categories include best destination, best volunteering organisation, best for low carbon transport or technology, and new for this year, best responsible cruise operator.

Make your nominations from now until 16 June 2008. If you nominate a category winner you will be entered into a draw to win a 15 day tour of India.