AquaCity, Slovakia to host European & Green World Travel Awards

UK (SANEPR.com) October 7, 2008 -- Over 150 guests, representing the world’s top achievers in tourism, will attend the World Travel Awards `European and Green Awards Ceremony’, being held for the first time in Slovakia on 15th October, the only European destination that to host a World Travel Award event in 2008.

Slovakia’s AquaCity Resort has been selected to host the event, having been the first ever recipient of the award for `World’s Leading Green Resort’ in 2007 during a ceremony held in the Caribbean. AquaCity’s CEO, environmentalist businessman and visionary, Mr. Jan Telensky, was also presented with a top award for `Travel Industry’s Leading Green Personality’ in 2007.

The World Travel Awards recognise the top achievers in the global travel industry, voted for by travel agents internationally. The Green Awards recognise the contribution tourism organisations are making towards conserving the planet and advancing green tourism.
The Award ceremony, which will host tourism guests from around the world, is being held at AquaCity, the luxurious Slovakian resort in Poprad, one of the greenest places on earth, almost entirely self-powered, using geothermal water and solar energy.

Graham Cooke, founder and President of the World Travel Awards said that World Travel Awards, celebrating its 15th birthday this year, had built its global reputation on helping to encourage quality in every dimension of the customer offering, as well as excellent business performance.

Over 90 nominations have been made in ten overall green categories, including the World’s Leading Conservation Company, Eco-friendly Airport, Eco-Lodge, Green Destination, Green Hotel, Green Resort, Green Tour Operator, Green Transport Solution Company, Responsible Tourism Scheme and Sustainable Tourism Scheme, but also Europe’s top tourism brands, destinations and resorts.

In addition to the Green Awards, the European Awards will be unveiled on the same evening, creating a perfect environment for top business networking among some of the industry’s high calibre professionals. More than 180 nominations from 50 countries have been received for the Europe Awards which recognize excellence for best airlines, airports, hotels, car hire, casino resorts, cruise lines, destinations, spas and tourist board.

“We wanted to combine the events to underline the crucial importance of quality in every aspect of travel,” said Graham Cooke. “Increasingly, responsible tourism is becoming a core part of every category of European travel product. Whether it is energy efficiency, conservation initiatives, waste management, community activities or water conservation, European consumers particularly are beginning to demand greater consideration to green issues as part of an essential travel program. Announcing the winners of the Europe Awards and the Green Awards on the same night was the best way to highlight the massive change in public attitudes.

Mr. Jan Telensky said, “AquaCity is the natural home for the World Travel Green Awards, having been the first winner of the World’s Leading Green Resort. The future of tourism is bound up in its responsibility towards conserving energy, respecting our surroundings and not destroying what the tourists are coming to enjoy when they come on holiday. That is why AquaCity is playing such an important role in demonstrating to the world’s hotels and destinations that they can be green, affordable and profitable”.

For information about AquaCity visit http://www.aquacityresort.com or call 0845 272 0300.

For information about the World Travel Awards visit http://www.worldtravelawards.com or call 0044 20 7925 0000

Press contact: Mary Stuart-Miller, 0044 1403 738844, m.stuart-miller@virgin.net