The Big Blog Exchange, Hostelling International’s global blogging contest, has been named as a finalist in the 2013 World Tourism Organisation awards.
The competition ran for the first time last year with the aim of using travel to break down barriers. More than 1,000 entrants from across the globe entered. Then 16 lucky winners got to swap lives and blogs with each other, immersing themselves in the different culture of a far-off country.
The UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism have honoured tourism initiatives that contribute to advance tourism through knowledge and innovation, in line with the principles of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Mikael Hansson, chief executive of Hostelling International said, “We are thrilled to have been nominated by UNWTO for one of the most prestigious international award in tourism. The Big Blog Exchange is not just about innovation but also finding new ways to promote greater understanding of cultures through travel. We truly believe that the power of education can help change the world.”
The Big Blog Exchange is up for the Ulysses Award for Innovation in the Non-Governmental Organisations category against Alqueva Dark Sky Programme, from Portugal, and From Charity to Social Entrepreneurship in Malaysia.
The winners will be unveiled on 22 January during the UNWTO Awards Ceremony in Spain.