Feynan finalist in Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2015

We are proud to announce that Feynan Ecolodge has been revealed as one of three finalists in the prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2015!

The awards, run by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) are among the highest accolades in the responsible tourism industry. Feynan has been recognised as a finalist in the ‘Community Award’ category, just three months after also being announced as a finalist in National Geographic’s inaugural World Legacy Awards. 

The WTTC announced 15 finalists in 6 categories from 158 applicants from around the world on 19 January. The awards recognise best practice based upon the principles of environmentally friendly operations; support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage; and direct benefits to the social and economic well-being of local people in travel destinations around the world. The winners will be announced at the WTTC’s Global Summit in Madrid on 15-16 April.

Nabil Tarazi, founder and managing director of EcoHotels who manage Feynan Ecolodge said: “It’s fantastic that the World Travel and Tourism Council are recognising Feynan Ecolodge as a world leader in ecotourism. It’s such a huge achievement to be recognised in two prestigious global tourism awards and as Feynan reaches 10 years old in 2015, it’s great that we can celebrate our success and the positive impact that this has had on local communities. I encourage more Jordanians will come and visit this award-winning location right on their doorstep!”

Feynan Ecolodge has been shortlisted as one of three finalists in the ‘Community Award’ category for its work using ecotourism to benefit the local communities who live around the Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan. This is the second time in quick succession that Feynan has been shortlisted for a major international award celebrating its approach to local community development. Both the Tourism for Tomorrow and National Geographic World Legacy Awards highlight the success of Feynan in providing opportunities for income in areas where the local Bedouin communities live a traditional life and are affected by poverty. The winners of both awards will be announced later in 2015. 

Feynan Ecolodge directly benefits over 80 families (400 people) around the Dana Reserve, using policies such as exclusively local staff, a local community transfer scheme for guests at the lodge, purchasing products from local businesses and housing two workshops onsite that employ local women to make candles and leather handicrafts that are used and sold at the lodge. Last year, over 50% of the money spent by tourists at Feynan stayed within the local community. Click on the links to find out more about how we benefit the local communityconservation in Dana Reserve and our environmental footprint

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC said; “It is vital that we learn best practice from each other and raise the sector’s ethics to the highest order. The Awards, now in their 11th year, showcase the companies and organisations who are breaking new ground in sustainable tourism development. This year's finalists demonstrate that, when carefully managed, tourism can be a powerful force for improving livelihoods and protecting our planet for future generations. We want their stories to inspire others in the sector to follow their example. This year, for the first time, the ceremony will be live-streamed so that not only our delegates but the world at large will be able to hear the winners’ stories first hand.”

Find out more about the Tourism for Tomorrow Award and all the finalists here

19/01/2015