With the aim of promoting responsible travel, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched a travellers' competition. The initiative is part of the 'Travel.Enjoy.Respect' campaign, taking place within the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. A one-month trip across the world visiting sustainable tourism initiatives will be awarded to the winner of the competition.

“Every action counts, and travellers have a strong role to play in building a more sustainable tourism sector, " said Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO. "Imagine the impact of one small action multiplied by millions. We want to inspire all travellers to be the change they want to see in the world.”

Competition entrants are invited to share their travel experiences at www.travelenjoyrespect.org and explain why they should be selected to represent the global responsible traveller.

The journey will start at the UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid with an official 'designation' ceremony with the Secretary-General. It will end at the closing ceremony of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland, where stakeholders from the tourism community and the UN family will unite.

The winners across the world journey will be supported by Explore WorldWide, an adventure travel group offering a wide range of activities and experiences with a commitment to responsible travel and a pinch of Explore spirit. Destinations including Colombia, Germany, Mexico, the United Arab Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah and the Léman region in Switzerland have offered to host the winner and help them discover responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

The competition is one of the main activities of the 'Travel.Enjoy.Respect' campaign that UNWTO launched to raise awareness of the value and contribution that sustainable tourism can make towards development, and to engage tourists in making the sector a catalyst for positive change.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For all media enquiries, please contact Alexander Gray at alexander@prmediaco.com or call  +44 (0)20 3302 5560.

Additional information

UNWTO Media Officer: Rut Gomez Sobrino
E:rgomez@unwto.org
T: (+34) 91 567 81 60

More Info/Sign Up Now: http://www.travelenjoyrespect.org/travellerscompetition/
Travel.Enjoy.Respect Campaign:www.travelenjoyrespect.org
World Tourism Day 2017:http://wtd.unwto.org/
IYSTFD 2017: www.tourism4development.org

About Explore

Adventure travel specialist Explore has 36 years' experience in organising small group, tailor-made and self-guided trips to some of the world's most fascinating destinations. Committed to responsible travel, the company supports many local projects around the world that engage their local communities, provide livelihoods and develop skills.

Every year, Explore organises more than 600 trips in over 120 countries, providing diverse experiences, award-winning tour leaders and a commitment to sustainability.

Dream. Discover. Explore: https://youtu.be/rsGwoiXNUyg