SINGAPORE, June 29 – WiT (Web in Travel), the leading travel tech news and events platform in the Asia Pacific region, is set to launch a prestigious awards series called the Travel Changemakers Awards. The awards, which will be unveiled at the renowned WiT Singapore conference this year, aim to recognize and honor travel innovators who have leveraged technology to drive positive change and rebuild the industry in a post-pandemic era. The winners of these esteemed awards will be announced during the WiT Singapore event taking place from October 2 to October 4, 2023.
The Travel Changemakers Awards are proudly supported by ATTIA (Asia Travel and Technology Industry Association), an influential association representing companies operating in the travel and tourism sector across the Asia Pacific region. ATTIA’s members include prominent industry players such as Agoda, Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Amadeus, Travelport, and Skyscanner.
The Awards aim to recognize innovators within the Asia Pacific region who have seized the opportunity to introduce new initiatives and programs, transforming not only their own organizations but also the industry as a whole. These individuals and organizations have demonstrated exceptional creativity and resourcefulness by utilizing technology as the driving force behind their transformative endeavors.
There are five distinct categories for the Travel Changemakers Awards including Environmental Awareness & Action: Recognizing programs or activities that promote environmental awareness, Local Community Engagement: Acknowledging initiatives that foster deep engagement with local communities., Hidden Gems: Highlighting programs or activities that unveil hidden gems in travel destinations.
Regenerative Tourism: Celebrating the repurposing of assets or the regeneration of destinations, Diversity & Inclusion: Honoring programs or activities that empower underrepresented segments of the population. The Travel Changemakers Awards welcome nominations from all sectors of the travel industry, including tourism boards, NGOs, NPOs (not-for-profit organizations), social enterprises, public sector enterprises, and private sector organizations.
Eligible submissions should describe programs and activities launched between May 2020 and December 2022. A distinguished panel of experts, carefully curated by WiT and ATTIA, will serve as the jury for the awards. The names of the jury members will be announced at a later date. The deadline for submitting entries is July 31, 2023. The concept for the Travel Changemakers Awards emerged from the Global Travel Tech Thinktank, a collaborative event held during WiT Singapore last year. Industry leaders convened to brainstorm ideas and strategies for a better future in travel.
It became evident that prioritizing environmental sustainability, engaging meaningfully with local communities, discovering hidden gems for travelers, repurposing existing assets, and promoting diversity and inclusion were critical components for rebuilding the industry in a more resilient and inclusive manner. Yeoh Siew Hoon, Founder of WiT, expressed her enthusiasm for honoring those who have taken concrete steps towards rebuilding the industry.
She stated, “It’s time to honor those who actually did it – who turned ideas into action and initiated programs to build back better.” Chris Kerin, Managing Director of ATTIA, shared his excitement about collaborating with WiT and supporting the Travel Changemakers Awards. He emphasized that the awards offer an opportunity to showcase the positive and productive initiatives that have emerged across the industry in the post-pandemic environment.
Kerin highlighted the importance of exchanging ideas, fostering relationships, and engaging in productive discussions to accelerate the industry’s recovery and drive further positive change. The Travel Changemakers Awards represent a significant milestone in recognizing the contributions made by exceptional individuals and organizations within the travel tech industry. ATTIA is proud to partner with WiT to bring this initiative to fruition, aiming to highlight and celebrate the outstanding achievements that have shaped the industry’s transformation.
