Global Travel & Tourism Partnership named a Finalist in World Travel & Tourism Council's 2015 Tourism For Tomorrow Awards

Multicultural educational program introducing students to careers in travel and tourism selected as People Award Finalist

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The Global Travel and Tourism Partnership

Jan 20, 2015, 10:34 ET

LONDON, Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Travel & Tourism Partnership (www.gttp.org) has been named one of three finalists in the People Award category of the World Travel & Tourism Council's 2015 Tourism For Tomorrow Awards. The People Award honors initiatives dedicated to capacity building, training and education to develop a skilled tourism workforce for the future.

The GTTP's mission is to expand travel and tourism-related educational and career opportunities for secondary school students. The program operates in Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, and the UK.

"To be a finalist recognizes the dedication of the Global Travel & Tourism Partnership's 12 country leaders and the hard work of teachers in more than 5,000 secondary schools to introduce students to the travel and tourism industry," said Michel Taride, Group President of Hertz International and Chair of the GTTP's Advisory Board.

"Our sector needs the enthusiasm, intelligence and hard work of the students when they enter the workforce to ensure sustainable tourism development. They will be the ones shaping and re-shaping the industry in the years ahead. The GTTP program opens a window on our industry for many thousands of students who are deciding on careers," he continued.

"GTTP in the 12 countries we serve is led by Directors who have other jobs, typically in academia, government, or non-profits," said Dr. Nancy Needham, executive director of GTTP. "Although each country has different needs and very different conditions, all teachers of the GTTP Passport to the World curriculum play a key role in fostering student appreciation and respect for their own and other's cultures, their heritage, and their environment. Being named a People Award finalist honors all the efforts of our directors and teachers."

The WTTC's 2015 Tourism For Tomorrow Awards are focused upon educating and inspiring travel and tourism businesses and destinations about how to improve the sustainability of the sector. These Awards provide the highest accolade for sustainability in the global travel and tourism industry. Winners will be announced during the 15th WTTC Global Summit, Madrid, Spain on 15/16th April 2015. The Winner Selection Committee is chaired by Fiona Jeffery OBE, Chair of the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

Fiona Jeffery OBE said: "This year's finalists are maximizing social and economic benefits for local people, reducing negative impacts to the environment and supporting the protection of cultural and natural heritage in destinations, wherever they operate, and selecting the winners among them will be a tough job."

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC, said: "It is vital that we learn best practice from each other and raise the sector's ethics to the highest order. The Awards, now in their 11th year, showcase the companies and organizations who are breaking new ground in sustainable tourism development. This year's finalists demonstrate that, when carefully managed, tourism can be a powerful force for improving livelihoods and protecting our planet for future generations. We want their stories to inspire others in the sector to follow their example. This year, for the first time, the ceremony will be live-streamed so that not only our delegates but the world at large will be able to hear the winners' stories first hand."

About The Global Travel & Tourism Partnership

The Global Travel & Tourism Partnership is an industry philanthropic initiative to foster future talent and tackle the global skills shortage. The GTTP educates secondary school students about careers in Travel and Tourism at a time when they are making career and education choices. Demand for the GTTP program is high. GTTP served 36,000 students in 1996, growing to more than 440,000 in 2014, with over one and a half million students trained in total. The program operates in Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, and the UK. The GTTP's Global Partner Advisory Board is comprised of senior executives from Amadeus, American Express, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Delta Airlines, Enterprise Holdings, The Hertz Corporation, HRG, KDS, Lufthansa, Starwood and Travelport.