Geotourism Challenge 2009

Think you know a great place that is doing its part to help support sustainable tourism? Now’s your chance to give them a spotlight:

National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations, in conjunction with Ashoka’s Changemakers, is now accepting nominations and official entries for the second annual Geotourism Challenge.

Last year’s challenge was a great success. Three very deserving winners were chosen from 321 entries for their

efforts to promote geotourism, defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.”

This year’s theme, “Power of Place – Sustaining the Future of Destinations,” focuses on efforts to protect, for future generations, those locales that are valued for historical, cultural, or environmental richness. Almost 600 nominations from 95 countries have been submitted so far.

Check out the competition website to browse nominations, comment on formal entries, or submit an entry form.

Not sure about the nuts and bolts? Find out how the competition works after the break…

-The competition is open to destinations, organizations, individual businesses, and individual people – as long at that person, place, or thing embodies the 2009 competition theme.

-Nominations can be made by anyone (self-nominations are welcome too!) but a contestant must formally enter the contest to be considered. Once an entry is listed, anyone can debate, promote, or provide information on the entry.

-Once the entry period concludes on May 20, 2009, a panel of judges will select the finalists, which are then voted on by the online community.

-Winners will receive a cash prize of $5,000, not to mention the honor of spearheading the continuing growth of the geotourism movement.

To learn more, read about last year’s Geotourism Summit, and stay tuned for more Geotourism Challenge 2009 updates from IT…