(September 20, 2016) – Sustainable Travel International and Mandala Research received a SASI-ONE Merit Award in the market research category for the 2016 study The Role of Sustainability in Travel & Tourism. SASI-ONE Awards (SASI = Shop America Salutes Innovation) recognize prominent leaders in the tourism industry for their vision and commitment to developing shopping and cultural tourism. The award was presented at the annual SASI-ONE Awards Breakfast on Friday, September 9, during the ONE Travel Conference at Le Meridien Delfina in Santa Monica California.
Sustainable Travel International and Mandala Research conducted the 2016 Role of Sustainability in Travel & Tourism research to help the travel and tourism industry better understand how travelers define sustainable tourism and how they incorporate it into their travel decisions and behaviors. The report revealed compelling results, most notably that 60 percent of U.S. travelers (105.3 million) have taken a “sustainable” trip in the last three years. These travelers spend more (on average $600 per trip), stay longer (seven days compared to four days) and bring higher benefits to local communities including job creation, giving-back and volunteering. More details and a full copy of the 2016 Role of Sustainability in Travel & Tourism report can be found at www.mandalaresearch.com.
The SASI-ONE Awards are sponsored by CenterCal Properties in partnership with Shop America Alliance and the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council. The 2016 judges were Jan Kroells, Vice President, Bloomington MN Convention & Visitors Bureau; Rose Hapanowich, Director of Travel & Tourism, Destiny USA and Christine Szalay Strange, Vice President, The Outlet Resource Group. The SASI-ONE Awards are presented annually at the ONE Travel Conference. To view the video award presentation of the 2015-16 SASI-ONE Awards, visit ONETravelConference.com.
The Role of Sustainability in Travel and Tourism research was supported by lead sponsor, Visit California. Additional study sponsors include Travel Oregon, G Adventures, Destination Better, Shop America Alliance, Louisiana Tax Free Shopping, and Wild Rivers Coast Alliance.
For more information regarding the award or study, please contact Kaitlyn Brajcich.
About Sustainable Travel International. Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of people around the world and the environments they rely upon. By leveraging the power of travel and tourism and providing business and government leaders with the guidance, policies and solutions they need, we aim to ensure that the communities they’re engaged in thrive and their environments are healthy for future generations. For more information, visit www.sustainabletravel.org.
About Mandala Research. Mandala Research is one of the leading travel and tourism research companies in the world. The firm has pioneered the “firsts” of many niche studies in the travel industry and offers extensive knowledge of several growing demographics and trends, including African American, LGBT, and U.S. Hispanic, and women travelers; and niche markets such as cultural, arts, and heritage tourism, retail/shopping tourism, wine and culinary tourism. Mandala’s clients include destinations, major travel brands, associations, government agencies, and NGOs and has expertise in brand tracking, brand equity and brand identity research. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 703.820.1041.
ONE Travel Conference for Shopping, Dining and Cultural Tourism is produced annually by Shop America Alliance and the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council. The Conference brings together leaders in the travel industry to focus on The Power of Partnership, speaking with ONE Voice. The 2016 ONE Travel Conference was held at Le Meridien Delfina in Santa Monica California September 7-9. For more information visit ONETravelConference.com or call 707-224-3795.
Shop America Alliance is the travel trade organization representing hundreds of the premier shopping tourism destinations, retailers, shopping centers and outlets in America. Founded in 1998, Shop America Alliance co-produces the annual ONE Travel Conference and SASI-ONE Awards and The Cultural Traveler guidebook, publishes Shop America Magazine and markets more than 100 shopping tours and cultural heritage experiences in 40 cities. For more information, visit shopamericatours.com or call 707-224-3795.
US Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council (USCHT) is a travel trade association with the mission to market U.S. cultural and heritage tourism experiences. USCHT represents leading U.S. tourism destinations, attractions and travel partners engaged in marketing U.S. cultural and heritage to travelers throughout the United States and around the world, co-produces the annual ONE Travel Conference and SASI-ONE Awards and The Cultural Traveler guidebook and sponsors market research on the Cultural and Heritage Traveler. For more information, visit TheCulturalTraveler.com or call 760-703-6020.