NEW YORK, May 14, 2007 – Lindblad Expeditions (LEX), a trailblazer in responsible tourism for 50 years, was awarded the 2007 Tourism for Tomorrow Global Tourism Business Award at the 7th Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. The awards are sponsored by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), with more than 700 leaders from around the world in tourism attending the Summit.
Sven-Olof Lindblad, the company’s founder and president, personally accepted the coveted award, presented at a gala May 11 ceremony, for outstanding leadership as a global model for environmental stewardship. “We are very proud to receive this award,” said Lindblad. “As the planet faces serious challenges such as global warming, over-development and massive growth in tourism,” he added, “the tourism industry can be catalytic in driving positive change that embraces dignity and respect as pillars of responsible tourism.”
LEX’s programs, partnerships and initiatives in conservation stewardship – from sustainable food-sourcing to micro-enterprise initiatives for local artisans, – are influential examples of responsible travel practices in fragile destinations around the world.
LEX was selected by an international committee of experts from among 130 applicants in more than 40 countries and seven continents. The committee used “rigorous evaluation standards and detailed criteria” in selecting winners, said Costas Christ, judging chairman.
“We are encouraged by the growing number of participants in the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and the commitment shown by enterprises across the world to responsible tourism development,” said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC’s president. “Providing sustainable livelihood is a long-term goal and we are delighted to honor the world’s leading examples of where this goal is actually being pursued.”
LEX supports a variety of programs and initiatives that aim to protect pristine environments. For example, LEX’s Galápagos Conservation Fund (GCF), launched in 1997, supports the protection of the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve, raising more than $3.5 million to fund conservation in the archipelago, including the eradication of feral pigs from Santiago and the operation of patrol boats in the Marine Reserve.
Lindblad Expeditions has also been working with local conservation partners in other regions where the company operates including in Antarctica with Oceanites, in Alaska with the Alaska Whale Foundation and in Baja California with the Mexican Fund for the Preservation of Nature. All funds raised from Lindblad guests go, 100%, in support of local projects and exceed $1 million annually.
LEX’s Seafood for Thought program carefully selects fish for best capture practices, working with the Marine Stewardship Council (www.msc.org) and the Blue Ocean Institute (www.blueocean.org). In recognition of its exemplary record in sourcing sustainable seafood, the Seafood Choices Alliance named LEX a winner of the 2007 Seafood Champion Award.
About Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions is an expedition travel company providing voyages in Galapagos, Antarctica, Baja California, Alaska, the Arctic, and beyond. Sven Lindblad has received many awards including the U.N. Programme Global 500 Award and most recently, recognition by HRH, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg for his dedication to the conservation and environmental stewardship of the Galapagos archipelago. The company has received numerous awards, including the #1 Small-Ship Cruise Line (Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Value Awards 2006); “The Best Ships in the World” and “The Best Itineraries” (Conde Nast Traveler: Truth in Travel Awards 2006).