IFTAJ INTERNATIONAL TOURISM OSCAR

Rewarding excellence, hospitality, and professionalism

A prestigious recognition for countries, cities, organizations, or personalities
that stand out for the promotion, development, and growth of tourism.

The Tourism Oscar, like the "World Travel Awards" or the "Italian Tourism Awards" in Italy, is awarded based on measurable results and concrete impacts that allow the winner to be declared "Best Emerging Destination" or "Excellence in Tourism Innovation."

The award process is divided into several phases: defining the award categories, collecting nominations from industry professionals, evaluating them by a jury, and the award ceremony.

The selection of winners must ensure impartiality and expertise in evaluating the nominations based on criteria of innovation and quality of service offered by the establishments in the interest of the community.

The main points on which the evaluations are based are:

1. Primary Motivation: The candidate must have distinguished themselves over the past year with a radical transformation of their tourism ecosystem, successfully balancing increased traffic with the protection of local heritage. Specifically, this includes the adoption of a specific initiative using new technologies, hospitality, or environmental sustainability plans.

2. Recent Milestones and Successes - Innovation: Project/Service that has improved the visitor experience.
• Sustainability - Reducing environmental impact in high-traffic areas through specific actions (green mobility, waste management, etc.)
• Economic Growth - Increasing average tourist stays and per capita spending, positioning the company as a benchmark for the sector in the country or region.

3. Community Impact and Reputation: The candidate must have achieved a high approval rating in online reputation analyses, distinguishing themselves through hospitality, food and wine offerings, or ongoing information services through the active involvement of local operators who have ensured excellent quality standards.

4. in general: Consistent dedication to making tourism a driver of sustainable and quality development, the name of the candidate is formally proposed as the winner for this category, as an example of excellence and inspiration for the entire tourism industry.

The Jury appointed for this year is composed of:

President: Rita CEDRINI, Anthropologist, University of Palermo
Vice President: Gilberto MARCHESE RAGONA Head of Cabinet, Regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity
Secretary: Giuseppe RITICELLA, President, National Academy C.S.T.M.
Member: Rosa DI STEFANO, Journalist - National Vice President of Federalberghi
Member: Margherita GIAMBALVO, Lawyer - Director of AA.GG. Municipality of Santa Margherita di Belice (Ag)

Regulations

Article 1: The Tourism Oscar Award is awarded annually to an organization, country, city, institution, site, or individual in recognition of their work in promoting, developing, and growing tourism.
All candidates are evaluated by the IFTAJ Board of Directors, composed of tourism journalists and authors, and a special commission.

Article 2: Nomination proposals may be submitted by interested parties or by third parties with knowledge of activities and organizations worthy of attention. They must be completed according to the instructions (see attached outline) and sent with a cover letter to the President of the Jury, with copies to the President and Secretary General of the International Federation.

Article 3: The Committee will review the applications received and select those to be submitted to the IFTAJ Board of Directors.

Article 4: Decisions of the Committee and the Board of Directors are made by majority vote during meetings of both bodies, including electronic voting. In the event of a tie, the President's vote is decisive. A maximum of three Oscars can be awarded in the same year.

Article 5: The country, city, or organization receiving the Oscar during the official ceremony must provide transportation and accommodation for at least three representatives of the International Federation of Tourism Journalists and Authors.

Instructions for the Nomination Proposal