Fourth Annual RTTF Leadership Award


Two system wide passes on Air Canada will be presented to the winner of the
RTTF Leadership Award at the Luncheon on Thurs. Oct. 14, 2010.

The Responsible Travel & Tourism Forum's Annual Leadership Award will be presented to a Canadian travel and tourism organization that has demonstrated commitment to socially and environmentally responsible practices.

Who is eligible?

The award is open to organizations that operate in Canada in the following categories:

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

Recognizing that organizations are at different stages of the Corporate Social Responsibility spectrum, we encourage all organizations that have embarked on this journey to consider making a submission.

There will only be one award recipient in 2010.

Overall Criteria

The recipient of the RTTF Leadership Award 2010 will have adopted a significant number of the criteria (outlined below) in its business practices.

The RTTF Leadership Award’s key criteria will apply to an organization’s corporate social responsibility practices in the areas of environmental and social/community sustainability within the travel and tourism sector.

DEFINITIONS:

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.

Guidelines for Submission

To be considered for the RTTF Leadership Award, candidates should provide details of their initiatives in any of the five (5) eligibility categories previously noted.

All organizations must 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.

Panel of Judges

Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of five (5) independent judges who are experts in the areas of corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, travel and tourism and travel media.

The winner will be announced at the RTTF Leadership Award Ceremony on October 14, 2010 just prior to the presentation of the award.

Click here to view a list of the judges and their biographies

In your Submission

Provide us with your name or company name; contact information – web address, e-mail, phone and fax numbers, mailing address, etc.

Outline whether your company or organization has a written policy on its environmental initiatives. Is this policy posted on your web site?

Provide examples or case studies of those initiatives.

Deadline for Submissions

Submissions will be accepted until midnight September 15, 2010.

Applications should be e-mailed to: award@rttf.ca

Conference 2010

Prizes

RTTF Award

Previous Winners

Newsletter subscription

  • Subscribe today and receive the RTTFs newsletter with award winning local, Canadian and World environment friendly travel news delivered to your mailbox.

    Subscribe now