TRAVEL and tourism is the world's largest industry. By 2010, it will create 330 million jobs with demand at US dollar 10 trillion and a contribution of 12.5 per cent to the world GDP. With such fervid growth comes responsibility.

It makes business sense to adopt green practices and implement the principles of Agenda 21 systematised at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio-De-Janeiro. When it comes to internationally recognising good work by the hospitality industry to share its burden of sustainable development, twoawards-instituted by British Airways and Green Globe, a company specialising in developing environmental awareness for the travel and tourism industry-matter most.

The Green Globe, regarded by many as the Golden Globe of eco-tourism, is judged on the thirteen principles of the Agenda 21, which have been defined for the tourism industry by the World Travel & Tourism Council, World Tourism Organization and the Earth Council.

The British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow awards recognise organisations in the tourism industry, which have made a positive contribution towards its local natural and cultural environment. Says Dr Hugh Somerville, head of Environment, British Airways, ``The word about environmentally and socially responsible tourism is spreading and each year sees recognition of more mass tourism projects such as whale watching in South Africa's Cape, Yorkshire Dales. Twenty years ago, who would have said that whale watching would be world-wide mass activity,'' he wondered, in an Internettete-a-tete.

Tourism does not come without its negative side, concedes Somerville. He adds, ``We all know the degradation that can result from some developments. But all of us must work to avoid such irresponsible exploitation. One way is to make the industry cleaner and more efficient in use of water, food and other materials, and energy. With respect to energy, aviation is a principle consumer but has doubled fuel efficiency per passenger per km over the last twenty-five years. With global warming likely to be the environmental issue of the next decade, there will be increasing interest in the fuel we burn.

Aviation contributes around 2.0 per cent of world emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels (and from this and other emissions about one thirtieth of man's contribution to global warming). However, we are growing and the tourism industry as a whole will need to make clear that it is a substantial contribution to both the sustainable and development aspects of the `green oxymoron' (sustainabledevelopment).''

How do these awards benefit the players of the industry, one wonders. ``It helped Ibex in being perceived as a green and environmentally committed operator. Today a lot of tourists want to come back after a holiday feeling that they have not contributed to the general depletion of natural resources. So if you can tell them that in their tour, their impact was at the minimum possible level, there is a great deal of satisfaction -- for them as well as us. The award also gives a certain marketing advantage, too, by bringing us more business,'' says Mandip Singh Soin, managing director of Ibex Expeditions.

The 13 principles of the Agenda 21 which form the criteria for winning or losing the Green Globe are: waste minimisation, reuse and recycling; energy efficiency, conservation and management; management of water resources; waste water management; hazardous substances; transport; land use planning and management; involving staff, customers and communities in environmental issues; design ofenvironmentally sensitive products; partnerships for sustainable development; protection of air quality; noise control and an environmentally sensitive purchasing policy. Three hotels of The Oberoi group have also received Green Globe certificates this year, from the World Travel and Tourism Council. Green Globe commended the Trident Hotel in Udaipur and the deluxe Oberoi Hotels and Resorts in Shimla and Bangalore.

The groups's Cecil, Shimla had also won a `commendation' award from Green Globe last year.

On the national level, the important awards are the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), India Chapter Environment Award based on the fulfillment of the PATA environmental pledge and the National Tourism awards by the Ministry of Tourism in the categories of hotels and lodges; tour operators; national parks and wild life sanctuaries and eco-friendly projects or organisations.

Green Globe Achievement Awards

Green Globe Achievement Awards are presented every year in three categories.Distinction awards are given to those who can demonstrate outstanding environmental performance. Commendation awards are for those who have made a significant improvement. Recognition awards are for industry associates to nominate others making significant environmental progress.

Apply to: Helen Sisman, Senior Research Officer, Green Globe, P.O. Box 396, Linton, Cambridge CBI 6UL, UK. Telephone: 00 44 1223 890 255. Fax: 00 44 1223 890 258

Tourism for tomorrownt Awards

Green Globe Achievement Awards are presented every year in three categories. Distinction awards are given to those who can demonstrate outstanding environmental performance. Commendation awards are for those who have made a significant improvement. Recognition awards are for industry associates to nominate others making significant environmental progress.Apply to: Helen Sisman, Senior Research Officer, Green Globe, P.O. Box 396, Linton, Cambridge CBI 6UL, UK.

Telephone: 00 44 1223 890 255. Fax: 00 44 1223 890 258 ÎAwardsare made on a worldwide basis with one overall global winner and five regional winners.

There are two special awards for mainstream (mass) tourism; a Hotel Siting & Design award in association with the International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI) and a National Park/Protected Areas award given in association with IUCN -The World Conservation Union.

Apply before August 1 to: British Airways Plc, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, Environment Branch, Australia House (HBBG), Waterside, PO Box: 365, Harmondsworth, Middlesex UB7 0GB, UK. Telephone: 00 44 181 738 5816. Fax: 00 44 181 738 9850. Contact person: Caroline Bolton (environmental coordinator).