THE GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM

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2 THE GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM For over two centuries, with its outstanding reputation and utmost renown, THE GERMAN TRA- VEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM is one of the most highly prestigious awards in German-speaking Europe for the best services and products in the tourist industry. Known by many as the Oscar of the Travel Industry, the German prize for innovation and accountability in tourism is heading into the next round. Its most important improvement: the prestigious prize is opening up to allow any and all enterprises of the travel industry in a total of 7 initial categories. Tour operators, touristic destinations, hotels, cruise ship companies, and those who offer travel mobility alongside travel technology enterprises are invited to apply. As innovation pioneers of the entire travel industry, the digital offers are increasingly gaining in significance: from social media and digital services, from Apps or desktop offers in travel preparation to the networking of travelers among themselves or to providing information and guidance of tourists before, during and after their travels. What s more, in 2018, the most innovative projects and initiatives for responsible conduct in the business of tourism will be awarded the special category Accountability in Tourism. Sustainable travel, the protection of the environment and natural resources are as essential for responsible tourism as the respect for local cultures, local fair working conditions as well as the respect and upholding of human rights. THE GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM, THE CATEGORIES: Tour Operators / Travel Agencies Destinations Hotels Cruise Holidays Travel Mobility Travel Technology Accountability in Tourism

3 WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? For THE GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM, any enterprise from the entire travel industry can apply in the appropriate category. Participants include every tour operator, travel agency, tourist office, every hotel, every hotel chain, every operator of cruise ships and all those enterprises to transport passengers be it by plane, train, bus, rental car or on bike. In the category of Travel Technology, new, purely digital companies and start-ups are being approached, as well as the classic providers of the entire travel industry. Also new: third parties can additionally nominate outstanding ideas in all categories. HOW CAN ONE PARTICIPATE? THE GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM is searching for the best new products and services from all areas of the tourist industry. And as the prize has thus far promoted and rewarded the innovative power of travel organizers, the expansion of the prize to include the entire industry is intended to reward creativity in all branches of companies and tourist offices. The travel industry, of course, has hardly escaped the digital revolution. Thus, special attention will be given to the employment of new technologies to the benefit of travelers, in the new Travel Technology category. Examples of potential prize-winning products and services In the category of Tour Operator: For example, new routes and programs that make a destination accessible in a new way, or which open up a destination or sub-region. The new or original processing of information about a destination that inspires travelers to visit the destination or helps to open up the destination. Information services that help travelers plan and support new ways of travel. In the category of Hotels: For example, new and original concepts for hotels, hostels and guesthouses. Projects for individual houses can be submitted as well as new product lines for hotel chains. But also already existing houses or brands can apply with their prize-worthy innovations if they increase the comfort, facilitate or accelerate burdensome processes of checking-in and -out, or the experience of the hotel in a novel way. In the category of Cruise Ships: For example, new routes that deviate from the beaten paths, new service-comfort initiatives, exciting new countryside excursions, original gastronomy concepts, new entertainment concepts, as well as concepts that give passengers a more individualized travel experience. In the coming years, growth in the cruise ship industry will come from target groups who have yet to experience cruise ships as an individual traveler. How are these groups to be creatively approached and inspired to go on cruises?

4 In the category of Travel Mobility: For example, for Airlines: new comfort initiatives, new gastronomy concepts, new entertainment projects, new service initiatives (poignantly, in an era in which the industry is increasingly prone to cost-cutting services), customer loyalty programs that truly reward loyalty, new offerings that offer travelers a variety of choices. For example, for Airports: new concepts that make one s stay more comfortable, be it by shortening waiting times, through offers in waiting times, improved check-in or providing better information for travelers. This category is addressed to all enterprises and service providers who transport travelers to the travel destinations or who are responsible for them: railway companies, car rental companies, construction companies, as well as bicycle rental concepts in metropolitan areas and car-sharing providers. Such services are increasingly important to travelers, especially in times when owning a car has been rendered unnecessary. Who has the best new products and services for better mobility alongside an uncomplicated way of using the offers? In the category of Travel Technology: The use of the Internet, social media and mobile services, i.e., Apps or desktop offers for preparation and coordination, for networking travelers with each other, as well as providing information and assistance to travelers before, during and after the trip: these are the essential engines of innovation for the entire travel industry. That s why we are looking for the best ideas from the digital realm, be it from both classic vendors of the entire travel industry or from new, purely digital companies and start-ups. Products and services that do not directly benefit the traveler or offer him/her added value are not allowed to participate. In the category of Responsibility in Tourism: In this category, the best initiatives from the entire travel sector for sustainable tourism, for environmental protection projects in tourism, local fair working conditions, and respect for human rights will be awarded.

5 WHO IS RESTRICTED FROM PARTICIPATING? Until now, tour operators with individual trips have been able to apply if they are able to present a well-known destination in a new and original way. THE GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM is looking for concepts that go beyond individual trips. The classic group tour to an ordinary destination is no longer focus of the prize. Also important to note: THE GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM is a prize that rewards ideas that benefits travelers, not purely internal-travel-industry projects. A new tool for an airline, for example, that makes it easier for travel agencies to book seats is not a viable candidate for the GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN APPLICATION OR NOMINATION? Please see the terms of participation form. WHEN IS THE DEADLINE? The deadline is 12 January WHO DECIDES UPON THE WINNNERS? A jury of experts from over a dozen experts in the travel industry, travel research, travel PR, marketing and travel journalism will review the submissions. Of course, the jurors are required to abstain from applying with their own companies. WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED? The winners will be announced in the April issue of GEO SAISON [Geo Season], on time for the start of the ITB [the world s leading travel show in Berlin]. On the occasion of the Winners Gala, the prizes will be awarded at the Bertelsmann Berlin branch on Unter den Linden 1.

6 CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION All companies and individuals providing products and services to German travelers are eligible to participate. Applications can come from your own initiative or you can be nominated by a third party. THE GERMAN TRAVEL PRIZE 2018 THE GOLDEN PALM has set itself the goal of promoting new ideas. The submitted products, services or accountability projects must have been introduced in the last 12 months before the application. Submissions must be in operation at the time of the application. Concept papers for future programs, which have not yet proved successful, can unfortunately not be considered. FORMAL CRITERIA 1. A Participation Form must be lled out for each suggestion that is entered (see attachment). 2. The suggestion must be comprehensible to the jury. Necessary to this end are: 2.1 A brief description of the submitted product/service or the responsibility project and its effect 2.2 Proof of its actual use (own information material or press reports) 2.3 The date since when the project/service or the responsibility project has been used. Ideally with written proof. CRITERIA OF THE JURY Innovative content of the product/service Practical effect If applicable, exemplary character for the travel sector In the area of responsibility: responsible treatment of the environment and social structures in destination countries, respect for local differences, promotion of fair working conditions and human rights A presentation of the submitted suggestion that is positive and comprehensible for the jury Contact for questions regarding entries: Helene Windolph Windolph.helene@geo.de Phone:

7 PARTICIPATION FORM CATEGORY Tour operator Destination Hotel Aviation Cruises Logistics COMPETITION PROPOSAL (Brief description of the submitted idea and its effect)... The submitted product/service has been in use since:... Attachment (required) Proof of its use in practice Informational material/press reports Company/Organization:... Street address/post of ce box:... City:... Responsible staff member:... Phone: Date:... Signature:... PLEASE SUBMIT BY POSTAL MAIL OR BY 12 JANUARY 2018 TO: Gruner + Jahr GmbH & Co KG DER DEUTSCHE REISEPREIS Hamburg goldene-palme@geo.de