Tony Potter, board director of Corinthia Hotels, representing Simon Naudi, Corinthia CEO, announced that the Born Free Foundation, Just a Drop, and Skål International will be the 2013 World Tourism Award Honorees. This award is presented annually at the World Travel Market in London by Corinthia Hotels, together with co-sponsors Delta Air Lines, The New York Times Global, and Reed Travel Exhibitions. The announcement was made at the annual Corinthia Hotels Press Breakfast at the Bryant Park Grill in New York City. The three honorees are being recognized for their commitment to conservation, sustainable tourism development, as well as providing opportunities for the travel industry to assist local communities in overcoming challenging times. The award itself, called Inspire, was specially designed and handcrafted on the Mediterranean Island of Malta by Mdina Glass. “I am very pleased that the World Tourism Awards at World Travel Market have commissioned Malta's own Mdina Glass to design and create the official trophy,” says Karmenu Vella, the minister of Tourism of Malta. “We are proud that this exquisitely designed in Malta, Mdina Glass piece, will play a role in honoring such worthy philanthropic initiatives.”
The World Tourism Awards will be presented on opening day of World Travel Market on Monday, Nov. 4, at Excel Centre (London).