ETOA – the European tourism association have been awarded the “Golden Experience” award for sustainable tourism, presented at the International Mayor’s Forum in Seville.
The “Golden Experience” award for Sustainable Tourism is granted to a local government agency or institution whose work contributes to creating sustainable destinations and new tools for tourism innovation. ETOA – the European tourism association, was presented the award as the foremost European professional association of the tourism industry and as the sector’s active voice tackling the innovations and challenges posed in the 21st century.
Heading the award presenting group, Juan Espadas, Mayor of Seville said: ‘It is a great honour for Seville to have more than seventy cities from four continents represented here today; our city´s compromise with sustainable growth and the commitment to look at the global challenges we are all facing with determination and responsibility have made us take a step forward and organize this first global forum of local governments, a space to debate and plan the actions that will allow us to be prepared for these challenges. The city of Seville also wants to recognize the efforts made by cities, public and private institutions towards a more sustainable, respectful and welcoming environment from an urban and touristic point of view.’
ETOA’s Country Representative for Spain, Jorge Traver, and Head of Policy and Strategy, Tim Fairhurst, attended the event to accept the award. Tim Fairhurst said: ‘It is a great privilege for ETOA’s work to be recognised by this award at the Mayor’s forum among colleagues from four continents; we are very grateful. That we are in Seville for the ceremony is very special for us as it is one of the growing network of destinations that are ETOA members. How cities remain sustainable – appealing and viable places in which to live, work and visit – is, above all, a matter for their communities and those they elect to govern them.’
