NatGeo's World Legacy Awards to recognize travel leaders
A luxury inn built on the furthest reaches of the Canadian maritimes; a former military outpost in California; and a national park in British Columbia that holds a mythical heritage have been shortlisted in The World Legacy Awards, a new initiative by National Geographic.
Launched this year as a way to recognize travel-related outfits “driving the positive transformation of the tourism industry,” editors recently announced finalists who made the cut across five categories: earth changers; sense of place; conserving the natural world; engaging communities; and destination leadership.
In the category ‘Sense of Place,’ Canada took two of the three finalist spots, with destinations spanning extremes of both coasts.
On the West Coast, Gwaii Haanas, a national park reserve located on the southern end of the Haida Gwaii archipelago, was singled out for making the effort to preserve the island’s indigenous roots and providing visitors with an authentic travel experience that speaks to its rich and storied past.
Initiatives include a collaboration with archaeologists to inventory 500 indigenous settlement sites dating back 12,000 years and working with elders to record Haida place names, oral histories and protecting the carving of totem poles.
Likewise, a Watchmen program offers Haida residents the chance to live on cultural sites and experience traditional activities.
At the other end of Canada, Newfoundland's Fogo Island Inn, built on a remote island at the tip of the country’s northeast coast was also recognized for being a collaborative effort between local residents, international artists, designers and architects, and showing off the island’s unique cultural heritage. The inn also offers a program that pairs guests with local hosts who teach them about island life.
Cavallo Island rounds out the three finalists, for successfully transforming what used to be military barracks into a LEED Gold-certified tourism lodge built with salvaged building materials.
Other finalists include The Brando luxury eco-resort in French Polynesia, Nikoi Island resort in Indonesia and Orange County Resorts and Hotels in India.
The winners of The World Legacy Awards will be announced in March, 2015.
For the full list of finalists, visit http://on.natgeo.com/1zufNKP.
