Stimulating Innovation and Knowledge in Tourism - UNWTO.Ulysses Annual Prize and Awards

Stimulating Innovation and Knowledge in Tourism - UNWTO.Ulysses Annual Prize and Awards Madrid, 30 May 2008 UNWTO held this week the yearly UNWTO.Ulysses Prize and Award ceremony. These are given in recognition and stimulation of innovative knowledge creation, dissemination and application in tourism. In underscoring the latest advances in the sector, the prize and awards contribute to tourism’s transversal impact effect on governance and society. The Ulysses Prize is conferred upon a distinguished scholar for an outstanding contribution to knowledge in tourism. This year, Professor Pauline J Sheldon from the School of Travel Industry Management at University of Hawaii received the Prize in recognition of her contributions to tourism research and education, as well as tourism knowledge dissemination. Professor Sheldon’s work and studies are focused on the how tourism enterprises, educational institutions, organizations and governments can obtain best results in a sector with both huge potential and enormous challenges. “A lot has been accomplished, but the awakening of tourism is still not complete. We need to act within the framework of developing education, governmental tourism policies and tourism enterprises towards the promotion of values ranging from transparency and innovation, to sustainability and responsibility”, Professor Sheldon said. The UNWTO Ulysses Awards recognize innovative contributions to tourism policy, governance, and other areas of tourism, such as the environment or new technologies. The Awards distinguish public institutions in tourism, tourism enterprises and non-profit institutions which have undertaken ground-braking projects. The 2008 awardees come from six different countries and represent programmes ranging from scholastic issues to governance, sustainable management, and tourism accommodation. This years UNWTO.Ulysses Award winners: The UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Tourism Governance * First Prize Programme Tourism Governance in Valencia. Tourism Valencia Convention Bureau (Spain) * Special Jury Prize Programme The Scholastic Program for Tourism Education. General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (Saudi Arabia) UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Tourism Enterprises * First Prize Programme Intelligent Leisure Solutions and Discover Travel Group. Intelligent Leisure Solutions and Discover Travel Group (Brazil) * Special Jury Prize Programme Culinary Heritage Exchange for Tourism Development. JSC Gero Serviso Garantija, Restaurant Verkiai (Lithuania) UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations * First Prize Programme Sustainable Management Model for Tourism Destinations. Business Foundation European Community -Chile - Eurochile (Chile) * Special Jury Prize Programme Official Classification Programme for Tourist Accommodation in Quebec. Québec Tourism Industry Corporation (Canada) The UNWTO.Ulysses Prize and Awards Ceremony has taken place in the context of UNWTO.Ulysses Annual Conference (May 28-29) under the theme “Education and Knowledge Management: meeting future challenges”. For more information on the conference click here. Contact information: Media Officer: Marcelo Risi T: +34 91-567-8178 /8100 - F: +34 91-567-8218 comm@unwto.org - www.unwto.org