London, UK - The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today announced the Judges for the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, WTTC's high-profile sustainable tourism accolade, in association with Travelport and The Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation.

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are presented annually to organisations pioneering responsible tourism management and helping to improve the livelihoods of communities in host destinations through sustainable tourism development. The Awards have gained international recognition thanks to a rigorous judging process, including an on-site verification for all finalists.

Costas Christ, Chairman of the Panel and internationally acclaimed expert in sustainable tourism, said: "The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are truly a global recognition of best practices in sustainable tourism. Not only does our diverse panel of judges represent a high level of Travel & Tourism expertise, but they also represent countries from all around the world."

The judges on the Finalist Selection Committee for 2009 are:

• Dr Peter Burns, Professor, Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton
• Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters & Associates
• Erika Harms, Executive Director of Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation
• Marilú Hernández, President, Fundacion Haciendas del Muno Mayas
• Dr Janne J Liburd, Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark & Chair, BEST Education Network
• Brian Mullis, President, Sustainable Travel International
• Mahen Sangkhrajka, Chairman, Big Five Tourism and Expeditions
• Kaddu Sebunya, Director of Program Design, Africa Wildlife Foundation
• Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director, Ibex Expeditions (P) Ltd
• Jamie Sweeting, Vice President of Environmental Stewardship & Global Chief Environmental Officer, Royal Caribbean International
• Albert Teo, Managing Director, Borneo Eco Tours
• Michelle White, Director of Sustainability, Indigo Books and Music Inc

This internationally acclaimed panel includes representatives of both the public and private sectors, as well as media and academia. Its members will review and select a shortlist of finalists in each of the four Award categories to move to the second stage of the judging process, during which on-site inspections will take place. Following the third stage of judging, a final Panel will choose the winner for each category.

Members of the Winners' Selection Committee are:

• Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
• Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor, Telegraph Media Group
• Fiona Jeffery, Chairman, World Travel Market & Just A Drop

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are endorsed by WTTC Members and other organisations. Sponsors include Travelport and The Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Rothschild Inc. Media partners include BBC World, Breaking Travel News, e-Turbo News, greentravelguides.tv, Meltwater News, National Geographic Adventure, Newsweek, Telegraph Media Group, Travel Weekly UK, USA Today and 4hoteliers. Contributors are Adventure in Travel Expo, BEST Education Network, the Rainforest Alliance, Sustainable Travel International, the World Heritage Alliance, Reed Travel Exhibitions and World Travel Market.