Alpine Pearls wins Destination Stewardship Awards during 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards ceremony on 17 May in Las Vegas. Alpine Pearls, a non-profit organisation headquartered in Austria, has demonstrated sustainable tourism management at a regional destination level. To ease heavy traffic congestion in one of Europe's most popular tourism areas - the Alpine communities of Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and France - the 24 member Pearls network has developed an innovative approach to providing sustainable transport between villages, including solar powered electric vehicles, low carbon public transport and free use of bicycles for tourists who leave their cars behind. The network also embraces and promotes Alpine folklore, culture and cuisine. By moving guests around its resorts sustainably, Alpine Pearls is successfully addressing one of the most challenging environmental conundrums faced by travel professionals worldwide.
