London, UK – The Travel Foundation, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Ocean Fund and Museum for African Art, have all been presented with the 2010 World Tourism Awards today in a ceremony at World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry.

The three winners at the thirteenth annual World Tourism Awards – co-sponsored by Reed Travel Exhibitions, American Express, Corinthia Hotels and International Herald Tribune – are being honoured for their dedication to sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage.

The Travel Foundation has been honoured “in recognition of The Travel Foundation’s development of programs to support educate travel industry professionals to integrate sustainability into their business; and create positive change through community-based projects in destinations worldwide, for local economic benefit, and preservation of indigenous traditions and culture and protection of the environment.”

Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Ocean Fund is honored “in recognition of Royal Caribbean Cruises’ establishment of the Ocean Fund which has awarded over $11 million in annual grants supporting nonprofit marine conservation organizations in protecting the world’s oceans through research, education and development of innovative technologies.”

The third award honors the Museum for African Art (New York City), “in recognition of the Museum for African Art’s innovative travel and educational programs focusing on developing unique cultural tourism experiences that explore Africa through its art and the village craftspeople who produce it, and providing them with a sustainable source of income by creating a market for their crafts overseas.”

PHOTO – L to R: Dominic Paul, VP/Managing Director of UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line; Patrick Falconer, Managing Director – United Kingdom, Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa, The New York Times/International Herald Tribune; Sue Hurdle, Chief Executive, The Travel Foundation; Jean-Paul Kyrillos, VP/Publisher, Travel and Leisure, American Express Publishing; Wendy Hartley, Sales Development Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions; Glenn Carroll, Sr VP Sales and Marketing, CHI Hotels and Resorts; Elsie Mccabe Thompson, President, Museum for African Art, New York City; Karen Hoffman, President, The Bradford Group, organizer of the World Tourism Awards

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The third award honors the Museum for African Art (New York City), “in recognition of the Museum for African Art's innovative travel and educational programs focusing on developing unique cultural tourism experiences that explore Africa through its art and the village craftspeople who produce it, and providing them with a sustainable source of income by creating a market for their crafts overseas.
The Travel Foundation, Royal Caribbean Cruises' Ocean Fund and Museum for African Art, have all been presented with the 2010 World Tourism Awards today in a ceremony at World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry.
Royal Caribbean Cruises' Ocean Fund is honored “in recognition of Royal Caribbean Cruises' establishment of the Ocean Fund which has awarded over $11 million in annual grants supporting nonprofit marine conservation organizations in protecting the world's oceans through research, education and development of innovative technologies.