World Nomads Wins Global Youth Travel Awards for Best Responsible Tourism Campaign and Outstanding Contribution to the Un SDGs
Sydney, 24th February 2022 - World Nomads has taken top accolades at the WYSE Travel Confederation’s Global Youth Travel Awards, winning in two categories: Best Responsible Tourism Campaign and Outstanding SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Contribution.
The awards, which celebrate the positive contributions of businesses to the youth, student, and educational travel industry, were named in a virtual awards ceremony on February 15.
“Responsible travel is the heart of what we do at World Nomads and our Footprints Network and ‘Travel Better’ campaign both spoke to our core values,” says Jon Whitby, General Manager, Marketing and Brands at World Nomads.
“The Global Youth Travel Awards are important for spotlighting industry leaders that are influencing the next generation, and it’s a real honor to be recognized for our responsible travel initiatives,” he says.
The Footprints Network (Footprints), which won the Outstanding SDG Contribution, is a micro-giving program that started in 2004. Travelers make a micro-donation to a community development project of their choice when they buy World Nomads travel insurance, allowing them to help change lives in the places they visit. So far, Footprints has enabled over 1.2 million travelers to donate more than $3.3 million towards 250 projects around the world.
“Over the years, we’ve accomplished a lot, funding projects in areas such as education, clean water and sanitation, gender equality, poverty eradication, and more,” says Whitby. “It’s a great way to contribute to the SDGs and demonstrates to our travelers that a small donation can go a long way in creating a positive and lasting impact.”
“Travel Better,” which won the Responsible Tourism campaign, was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic as an effort to get people to re-imagine travel as a force for good as the world was on reset. With an enter-and-win storytelling contest and an engaging landing page that featured responsible travel articles, the ‘Travel Better’ campaign raised brand awareness whilst growing and engaging a community of like-minded travelers. “
“The ultimate goal of the campaign was to get people to make thoughtful and intentional choices about how they travel,” says Whitby. ”’Travel Better’ was a way to get travelers to turn ethos into action and is especially important as we welcome back travel post the pandemic.”
“With the last two years of tourism largely written off due to the pandemic, it is great to see that so many travel organisations have used the time to look at their sustainability practices, diversity policies and marketing strategies so as to be ready for the 'new normal' of travel from now on,” says Dave Chapman, Director General, WYSE Travel Confederation. “The WYSE Travel Confederation congratulates all the Global Youth Travel Awards winners and entrants on their fortitude and resilience in re-inventing their businesses and would also like to congratulate World Nomads for its double awards of Best Responsible Tourism Campaign and Outstanding Contribution to the SDGs.”
For more information on World Nomads’ Footprints program, visit WorldNomads.com
Media contact:
Email: media@worldnomads.com
About World Nomads
World Nomads is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent and adventurous travelers. Our online global travel insurance allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling.