The Steuben Crystal Award Celebrates "the bond of a supportive partnership, which like a bridge, spans both time and distance."

Initiated by The Bradford Group, the annual World Tourism Award was established in 1997 by Reed Travel Exhibitions with American Express, and subsequently joined by International Herald Tribune and Corinthia Hotels. The award is presented to “recognize the extraordinary initiatives by individuals, companies, organizations, destinations and attractions for outstanding accomplishment in the travel industry.”

Past World Tourism Award Recipients

1997 Award: “World Peace Through Tourism”
Honorees: Member countries of MEMTTA (Middle East Mediterranean Travel & Tourism Association): Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Malta, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Turkey.

1998 Award: “Outstanding Economic Development Through Tourism”
Honorees: “The new emerging Europe - Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland”

1999 Award: “Outstanding Impact of Travel And Tourism on Generating Employment Growth”
Honorees: China National Tourism Administration and the Hong Kong Tourist Association

2001 Award: “The newly forged public / private sector partnership and the dramatic increase in tourism.”
Honorees: the Mexico Ministry of Tourism and the Mexico Tourism Board

2002 Award: “Training the Next Generation in Travel & Tourism”
Honorees: The New York Academy of Travel & Tourism, Virtual Enterprises, International™ (career programs within the New York City Department of Education) and the Institute for Virtual Enterprise at Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York.

2003 Award: “In recognition of its leadership role in the rescue and preservation of imperiled works of art and architecture, and its devotion to onsite conservation of monuments and sites worldwide, crossing geographic, cultural, and national boundaries to preserve the world’s diverse and rich heritage for generations to come.”
Honoree: World Monuments Fund

2004 Award: “Its extraordinary vision and pioneering work in opening the door to ‘the world” for travelers with disabilities, the mature and elderly, through educational programs for all sectors of the travel industry on how to cater to the special needs of this lucrative and rapidly expanding niche market.”
Honoree: Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH)

2005 Award: “Their extraordinary vision in forging a historic Asia-Africa Bridge of Tourism, Friendship and Collaboration”, announced at the 3rd IIPT Global Summit on Peace Through Tourism in Pattaya, Thailand, Oct. 2005.
Honorees: Africa Travel Association (ATA) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

2006 Award: In recognition of Travel Guard International’s value-based approach to business and its philanthropic mission to give back to both the global and local communities it serves, and to encourage its employees to both raise/donate money for these global projects through its Make a Mark Foundation.
Honorees: John Noel, President and CEO of Make a Mark Foundation.

2007 Award: The 2007 Award recognized the leaders of the American Tourism Society (ATS): ATS, Alex Harris, CTC Honorary Chairman, and member of the Board of Directors, ATS and Chairman General Tours, and one of the Co-Founders of ATS; Michael Stolowitzky, Immediate Past President & CEO and member of the Board of Directors, ATS; and H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji, of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Chair, Red/Mediterranean Sea Council and Member of the Board of Directors, ATS.

They were recognized for “their extraordinary vision and inspiring leadership in their respective roles as leaders in the American Tourism Society, through which they have fostered the establishment of emerging destinations into the main stream of tourism; supported the training and development of local tourism companies and organizations; and have contributed to tourism becoming a vital factor in the fast-paced growth of employment in local economies.”

2008 Award: The 2008 Award recognized two honorees: the UNESCO World Heritage Center and Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General, Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. The UNESCO World Heritage Center for “its outstanding guidance, support and encouragement to 185 countries around the world by establishing and monitoring 878 World Heritage Sites that will protect and preserve their irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage for the future of all the people of the world.” Dr. Zahi Hawass for his “dynamic and committed leadership, in developing and implementing, innovative management plans to care for and protect Egypt’s world famous ancient attractions, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.”

2009 Award: the 2009 Award recognized three honorees: The first award was presented to Tourism Cares, honoring "its extraordinary work to preserve the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; awarding scholarships to the future tourism workforce and organizing volunteer projects to help restore tourism-related sites;" The second award was presented to Gap Adventures, honoring "its exemplary commitment and vision to 'give back' by creating and supporting Planeterra, matching all donations to this foundation dedicated to sustainable community development worldwide through travel and voluntourism;" The third award was presented to Cyrene, Libya, honoring "Libya's unique approach in establishing an integrated model for North African Archaeological and Heritage Preservation and Management with an emphasis on the education and training of local nationals for employment in the development and maintenance of this site; and for Engineer Saif Shahat's initiatives taken to ensure the protection of Libya's Heritage Sites and the quality of its tourism."