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National Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Recognizing the World's Most Exceptional Destinations: Nominations Now Open for the Inaugural TOURISE Awards
Article content The TOURISE Awards spotlight the world's most impactful destinations, celebrating culture, connection, and innovation in travel. Five categories are open for nominations, with a flagship award selected by an independent jury of global tourism experts. Nominations are open until July 9 and winners will be honored at the TOURISE Summit in Riyadh, taking place from November 11–13, 2025. Article content Article content RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The TOURISE Awards officially launched today as a new global benchmark celebrating excellence in tourism destinations. Created to honor places that are shaping the future of travel, the Awards spotlight destinations delivering meaningful, memorable, and measurable value across the traveler journey. Nominations are now open to individual travelers, industry professionals, and organizations passionate about recognizing the world's most exceptional places. Article content The TOURISE Awards are an extension of the TOURISE platform powered by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism and announced via a virtual press conference on May 22, 2025. Article content In line with the TOURISE ethos, the Awards take a bold stance recognizing destinations with a strong sense of identity, measurable impact, and responsible management. Eligible destinations must have (i) a defined geographic scope (a city, region or site), (ii) a distinct identity and character that stems from culture, landscapes and attractions that shape how the destination is perceived by travelers, and finally (iii) must be backed by a tourism governing body responsible for ensuring a destination is effectively managed. Article content The TOURISE Awards feature five distinct award categories: Best Arts and Culture Destination, Best Adventure Destination, Best Food and Culinary Destination, Best Shopping Destination, and Best Entertainment Destination. In addition, a flagship Best Overall Destination award will recognize the destination that excels across all aspects of the traveler experience — setting a new global benchmark as the most exceptional place to visit. Article content Jean-Philippe Cossé, CEO of TOURISE, said: 'Tourism is not just a key economic engine — it's a powerful connector of cultures, a builder of communities, and a driver of sustainable change. As the industry undergoes a bold transformation, it's more crucial than ever to spotlight the destinations that are leading with vision, purpose, and resilience. The TOURISE Awards are our tribute to those extraordinary places that don't just welcome travelers — they inspire them, challenge the status quo, and push the boundaries of what tourism can achieve. These awards put destinations at the center of the global conversation, celebrating the pioneers who are shaping the future of travel.' Article content The TOURISE Awards will be judged by an independent jury panel comprised of a powerhouse of cross-industry trailblazers from the worlds of travel and tourism, fashion, culinary, art, retail, culture, adventure and entertainment: Article content Filip Boyen, Former CEO, Forbes Travel Guide; Michael Ellis, Former Global Director, Michelin Guides; Fiona Jeffery, Former Chair, World Travel Market; Former Chair Tourism for Tomorrow Awards; Renaud de Lesquen; Former CEO, Givenchy, Former President Dior AM; Lars Nittve, Former Founding Director, Tate Modern; Albert Read, Former Managing Director , Conde Nast; Caroline Rush, Former CEO, British Fashion Council; Omar Samra, UN Goodwill Ambassador, Mountaineer and Polar Explorer Bernold Schroeder, Former CEO, Kempinski; Pan Pacific. Article content Eligible destinations will be evaluated across 10 assessment criteria, grouped into three key areas, which make up the destination experience: offering, value, convenience. Judges will assess how destinations perform across these areas — considering what they offer, how accessible and visitor-friendly they are, the overall value they provide, and most importantly, the quality and impact of the experience. This includes looking at factors such as authenticity, innovation, inclusion, sustainability, accessibility, accommodation variety, and safety, all of which contribute to a destination's ability to deliver a meaningful and memorable journey. Article content The winners of the inaugural TOURISE Awards will be announced at the TOURISE Summit, taking place in Riyadh from November 11 to 13. The Summit will bring together leading voices from across tourism, travel, investment, and innovation — from heads of state and visionary CEOs to creators, disruptors, and global investors. It will serve as a platform to spark bold ideas, build transformative partnerships, and shape new standards for the future of travel. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content
Travel Weekly
29-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
ASTA and Travefy partner on new award for advisors
ASTA and Travefy have partnered to create the ASTA Emerging Leaders Award Program, Presented by Travefy. ASTA members under 45 who have been working in the industry for two or more years are eligible for the new award. It was designed to recognize the industry's future, the Society said in a release. "At Travefy, we've always been committed to empowering travel professionals," said Travefy founder and CEO David Chait. "Whether it's through our itinerary management tools or helping agency scale, our mission is to make the business of travel better, smarter and stronger than when Travefy launched 13 years ago. That's why we wanted to partner with ASTA to help further elevate the travel advisor profession through a new signature award." More new award categories are coming, ASTA said. The Society will host an awards gala on Jan. 22 at Chicago's Palmer House Hotel, where suppliers and advisors will be recognized.
