Enterprise Rent-A-Car Teaming With World Travel & Tourism Council to Recognize Best in Sustainable Tourism

News provided by

Sep 19, 2016, 10:30 ET

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprise Rent-A-Car is teaming with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) as a category sponsor of the 2017 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The annual WTTC awards are among the highest accolades in the global travel industry and represent the gold standard in sustainable tourism.

These awards recognize best practices and are based upon the principles of:

environmentally friendly operations;
support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage; and
the social and economic well-being of local people in travel destinations around the world.

For the second consecutive year, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the exclusive sponsor of the WTTC's People Award. This award honors organizations dedicated to the concept of "capacity building" – a long-term investment in the tourism workforce to enhance employee skills, competencies and abilities through local training and education.

"Travel and tourism careers already account for a significant part of our economy, providing an estimated 284 million jobs across the global market," said Greg Stubblefield, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Enterprise Holdings Inc., which owns the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand. "And we are committed to helping build an even more robust and inclusive global talent pipeline through this industry-leading WTTC initiative."

Travel Industry Leadership

Enterprise Holdings' annual revenues place it near the top of the global travel industry, exceeding all other rental car companies, as well as most airlines, cruise lines, hotels, tour operators and online travel agencies. In addition, Enterprise Holdings is the only company in the international car rental industry – and one of a handful in the global travel industry – to complete a sustainability report in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 "Core" Guidelines.

"As the world's largest car rental company, we are in a strong position to help drive sustainable solutions and policies around the globe," noted Stubblefield, who is a member of the WTTC as well as the U.S. Travel Association's CEO Roundtable. He also serves on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which – as the advisory body to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce – provides counsel on current tourism industry concerns, emerging issues and government policies.

"Travel and tourism represents one of the fastest growing segments in the global economy, so it's especially important that the growth of our sector is managed responsibly," Stubblefield added. "The WTTC awards are an opportunity to honor organizations that benefit local communities, support cultural diversity and advance biodiversity conservation, all within a viable and profitable business model."

Furthermore, the WTTC is working closely with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. The WTTC and UNWTO are working together to improve the understanding of the importance of travel and tourism to social and economic development worldwide.

The WTTC's Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognize businesses and organizations whose commitments to sustainability and long-term vision have not only helped to shape international standards for environmentally and socially responsible tourism, but also have demonstrated how tourism can be a force for good. The extensive three-part application process begins with a written submission that is evaluated by an independent judging panel of sustainable tourism experts. Finalists are then visited on-site by experts who verify the claims made in their applications. Winners and finalists will be honored at a special Awards Ceremony during WTTC's 2017 Global Summit April 25-27 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Applications for the 2017 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are now open, and candidates will be able to apply until Nov. 14, 2016. For more information, visit www.wttc.org/tourism-for-tomorrow-awards.

For more information about Enterprise's sustainability initiatives, please visit https://www.enterpriseholdings.com/en/global-leadership/sustainability.html.

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand known for an extensive network of convenient locations, affordable rates and outstanding customer service. It is owned by Enterprise Holdings, which operates the Enterprise brand – as well as the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands – through its integrated global network of regional subsidiaries and independent franchises. Enterprise Holdings and its affiliate, Enterprise Fleet Management, together offer a total transportation solution, including extensive car rental and car-sharing services, truck rental, corporate fleet management and retail car sales. Enterprise Holdings currently is ranked as one of America's Largest Private Companies. If it were publicly traded, Enterprise Holdings would rank on Fortune's list of the 500 largest American public companies. Other transportation services marketed under the Enterprise brand name include Enterprise Fleet Management, Enterprise Car Sales, Enterprise Truck Rental, Enterprise CarShare, Enterprise Rideshare, Zimride by Enterprise, Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise and Enterprise Flex-E-Rent.