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Tourism Concern’s director, Tricia Barnett, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Guild of Travel Writers.

In announcing Tricia’s award, the evening's co-presenter, Guild member Alison Rice, said:

“On a shoestring budget, and relying on volunteers and very few staff, our winner has shone a much-needed light on the murkier corners of our industry.

“For twenty years this person has never been afraid to blow the whistle on irresponsible practices conducted in the name of tourism; has never been afraid to speak up for communities badly affected by tourism development; has never been afraid to fight exploitation in the global travel world.

“It is hard now to believe the hostility this person has faced over the years from many of the major players in the travel industry here and abroad, the very companies and associations who now, quite rightly, proudly boast of their sustainable and socially responsible credentials.

“If it hadn’t been for Tourism Concern and its director’s energy, courage and wise guidance, many wrongs in the tourism world would have remained unexposed. Tricia Barnett has influenced the thinking of governments and tourism companies, and changed for the better the lives of some of the poorest people on earth.”

Everyone at Tourism Concern would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Tricia.

Both awards, plus a number of other tourism and media awards, were presented before an audience of more than 300 top travel industry and media leaders at a gala dinner held on Sunday, 6 November at London's Savoy Hotel.