Iranian ecolodges have been nominated for the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s prestigious Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism, according to Ali Ebrahimnejad, director of Kerman’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
“Ecolodges, particularly in the rural regions, have been presented as one of the most environmentally-friendly accommodations for domestic and foreign tourists,” Ebrahimnejad was quoted as saying by the Persian daily Donya-e-Eqtesad. The newspaper is a sister publication of the Financial Tribune that carries a special page on tourism every day.
Ecolodges abide by the principles of sustainable development, a concept that has been receiving a lot of attention from the UNWTO.
According to the UNWTO website, the awards merit distinction in four categories for their contribution to innovative tourism initiatives, which are both competitive and sustainable in character. Nominees shall have been highly inspirational and have made a significant impact on the tourism sector which can be replicated.
The 12th edition of the awards will be held on January 20 in Madrid, in collaboration with the Madrid International Tourism Trade Fair, or FITUR.
