New Frontiers Award confirms final three destinations

The award will be given to the destination that has made an outstanding contribution to tourism development in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The finalists were selected by industry professionals including global travel and tourism associations and industry experts. Initially ten destinations were selected of which three have made it into the short-list.

Other destinations considered included Peru, Greece, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nicaragua who have also made tremendous strides after suffering from either man-made or natural disasters.

The short-listed destinations were chosen considering a number of decisive factors such as: their utilisation of aid packages, support from local and national government, tangible efforts of recovery and the sheer determination of the human spirit.

An eminent panel of judges including Tom Nutley, Non-Executive President, Reed Travel Exhibitions; Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions; Walter Lo Faro, Director of Market Management, Middle East & Indian Ocean, Skal, the International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals and Prem Patel, Senior Director ¬- Marketing, American Express Middle East, will select the overall winner of the award.

Tom Nutley said:

'It has been a very difficult decision to short-list just the three destinations as all ten have been exceptional in the face of such adversity. However the final three destinations had, above all others, made an indelible impact on tourism development, against all the odds. The way in which some destinations have recovered from overwhelming disasters was humbling and awe inspiring.'

Despite the ravages and threats of bird flu, Vietnam has been able to continue attracting tourists. This is due in no uncertain way to the action taken by the government, tourist bodies and donors. In 2007 tourists arriving in the country topped four million - up 25% in just two years. It is expected that the country will welcome eight million people by 2010.

As one of the poorest countries in the world, but with some of the most spectacular beaches, Mozambique sees tourism as a potential lifesaver and is making all efforts to bolster its popularity. With considerable grant support from both The World Bank and USAID, the government has said that revenue from international tourists rose to over $144m dollars last year, a 50% increase in just two years.

Fuelled by the Santa Ana winds, the bush fires that swept through the hot, dry state of California destroyed more than 1,600 homes with an estimated material damage of more than $1bn. Among the worst affected areas was around San Diego, where evacuation centres struggled to provide shelter for more than 300,000 people. Despite the disaster, the city continued to accommodate visitors, with many of its main attractions and business centres remaining in operation. Tourism is the third-largest industry in San Diego, with an annual spend of around $8.2bn.

The recipient will be announced during a special awards ceremony at the Arabian Travel Market's annual exhibitors' party, which will be held on 6 May 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Dubai. Representatives of the winning destination will be invited to attend the special ceremony and rewarded with $10,000 worth of free exhibition space at Arabian Travel Market 2009 in Dubai.