GeoTourism Challenge: The Power of Place

The 2009 Geotourism Challenge is on again! Nominate or enroll now.

This year I have recused myself from entering so that I may contribute to the selection process as a Commentator advising entrants on how to incorporate the principles of Universal Design and best practices of Inclusive Tourism:

Featured Commentators:
http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/geotourismchallenge/commentatorsGuidelines from the Geotourism web site:

"Geotourism Challenge 2009: Power of Place - Sustaining the Future of Destinations" Collaborative Competition

The goal of the Geotourism Challenge is to identify and showcase innovators - individuals and organizations - that directly or indirectly support good destination stewardship and the approach known as geotourism.  Geotourism is defined by National Geographic as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place: its environment, heritage, culture, aesthetics, and the well-being of its residents.

Eligibility Criteria

The competition will be open to all types of organizations (charitable organizations, private companies, or public entities) from all countries. We consider all entries that:

• Reflect the theme of the competition: geotourism.
• Entries are invited from organizations in all countries.
• We are looking for innovations that are beyond the idea stage.
• Entries must be submitted in English or in Spanish and be complete in order to be eligible.

Assessment Criteria

The winners of this Changemakers Collaborative Competition will be those entries that best meet the following criteria:

• Innovation: Your entry must describe how your program or activity is new and different. Please be clear and explicit: How is your innovation directly or indirectly advancing tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents? This criterion is mandatory for inclusion in the Geotourism Challenge.
• Social Impact: Your innovation must already be showing results. Your demonstrable success may be local, regional, or global. Regardless of extent, the innovation should show potential to affect the world and not just one place. Describe clearly and precisely how your innovation can be replicated and scaled up.
• Sustainability/Viability: Your innovation must be self-sustaining to be effective. Explain your plan for financial and other bases of support for the long-term. Include not only current financing, but the business plan for the future. Describe as much as you are comfortable disclosing.