World Travel & Tourism Council selects Big Five CEO as 2008 awards judge

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has selected Mahen Sanghrajka, CEO of Big Five Tours & Expeditions, as one of the judges for the 2008 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. In the travel and tourism industry, these prestigious awards recognize the best practices in sustainable tourism, which represents travel that is both ecologically and culturally sensitive.

Sanghrajka joins other international leaders in both the private and public sectors as well as members of the media and academia who will take part in the rigorous three-step judging process. Other judges on the Finalist Selection Committee include Marķa Isabel Salvador, Minister of Tourism, Ecuador; Erika Harms, Executive Director of Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation, Costa Rica & USA; Jessica Hall Upchurch, Director of Sustainability, Virtuoso, USA; and Dr Peter Burns, Professor, Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton, UK.

Judges review and select a shortlist of finalists in each of the four award categories to move into the second stage, when on-site inspections will take place. During the third stage of the process, a final judging panel will choose the winner for each category.

"I am honored to join this distinguished panel," said Sanghrajka. "More than three decades ago, we founded Big Five on the same ideals and principles that are behind today's eco-friendly tourism. We have always believed that everyone; from our employees to local communities to the land and animals can and should be part of a win-win scenario. That can happen through sustainable tourism."

Big Five Tours & Expeditions, founded in 1973, is a premium soft adventure tour operator offering luxury travel to Africa, Asia & the South Pacific, Orient, South & Central America, Arctic and the Antarctica.