TROUT POINT LODGE SELECTED AS FINALIST IN GLOBAL COMPETITION
Jul 28, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TROUT POINT LODGE SELECTED AS FINALIST IN GLOBAL COMPETITION
Wilderness Resort Seeks Votes to Be Named Top Innovator in Geotourism
WASHINGTON (July 15, 2009)—Trout Point Lodge, based in Nova Scotia, was named today as one of 10 finalists from more than 600 entries in the second annual "Geotourism Challenge" sponsored by the National Geographic Society and Ashoka’s Changemakers. The competition, focusing on "Power of Place — Sustaining the Future of Destinations," reaches out to identify individuals and companies worldwide that have introduced the most innovative practices in geotourism: tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.
Entries were received from 81 countries and represented tour operators, guide companies, hoteliers, local businesses, conservation organizations, industry leaders and community organizers.
A distinguished panel of judges — Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement; Keith Bellows, editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine; Erika Harms, executive director of Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation; Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet; Ben Keene, founder of Tribewanted; and Dr. Yang Yuming, vice president of Southwest Forestry University, China — reviewed the entries and selected Trout Point Lodge for revitalizing backwoods area of Acadian Forest through place-based immersion experiences and the Nova Scotia Cooking School.
Trout Point Lodge (http://geotourism.changemakers.com/en-us/node/21375) will now compete among the other finalists to be selected as one of three winners. The public is invited to vote online at www.changemakers.net/geotourismchallenge until Wednesday, Aug. 12. The winners, to be announced Wednesday, Sept. 9, will each receive a cash prize of $5,000.
The Geotourism Challenge is one of the key programs of National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations. For more information on geotourism and destination stewardship, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable.
CONTACT:
Delyse Sylvester
Ashoka’s Changemakers
(250) 352-0616
dsylvester@ashoka.org
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