Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2007
Yesterday was the 4th annual Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by Virgin Holidays and organised by responsibletravel.com. This inspiring and uplifting event celebrated responsible tourism companies and individuals all around the world who work to improve the lives of local people and minimise impacts on the environment. 
Ethical Wood Furnishings was delighted to be asked to make all the frames for the certificates. Each of the winners, from many different areas of the globe, all left clutching their frames made from reclaimed pier decking from Brighton pier.
The New Forest was the overall winner - a destination which has worked over the last 15 years with visitors, the industry, the community - including commoners and small holders - to look after the environment (the VICE model: Visitor, Industry, Community, Environment) and to benefit all interests as well as providing a model for other destinations to follow.
Each of the winners and highly commended companies and individuals all have a unique and inspirational story of how they've got to the level they are today. You can read their stories and why they won an award on this online magazine here
Many congratulations to all the winners - especially Anthony Climpson who was clearly over the moon with his 3 awards!
The awards ceremony marked the opening of the first World Responsible Tourism day and the well attended number of seminars and lectures that followed marked the tourism industries growing realisation that action needs to be taken now - to ensure better destinations for people to live and better destinations for people to visit.
