Sun&Blue Awards 2024 open for entries

Within the framework of Sun&Blue Congress, international congress of Tourism and Blue Economy that celebrates its second edition from 20 to 22 November at the Palace of Exhibitions and Congresses 'Cabo de Gata - City of Almeria', the Sun&Blue Awards 2024 are held with the aim of identifying, assessing and recognizing the best projects and experiences that apply criteria of Tourism and Blue Economy and its implementation in companies, organizations and public and private institutions.

The prizes are awarded by a Jury composed of some members of the Advisory Board and the Technical Committee of Sun&Blue Congress, as well as leading professionals from sectors related to tourism and sustainability, both public and private.

Calendar of participation

• June 1, opening of registrations.
• September 30, end of submission of candidatures.
• October 16, announcement of finalists.
• November 21, awards ceremony.

Categories

1. Blue Destination 2024

Description: blue destination manager that promotes practices for sustainable development, benefiting both the local community and visitors (DMO), which may be a program, project or action implemented.

Target audience: destinations and public institutions.

2. Sustainability in Gastronomy 2024

Description: will be awarded to those chefs or restaurants that stand out for their gastronomic innovation based on sustainable seafood products and their commitment to sustainability.

Target: restaurants and chefs.

3.     Blue 2024 Sports Event

Description: sporting event related to the sea or aquatic environment that promotes sustainable tourism, local economy or education and awareness for the conservation of marine ecosystems.

Target audience: event promoters.

4.     Port Decarbonization, Innovation and Sustainability 2024

Description: recognizes the best port management initiative that improves in the field of decarbonization of port operations and actions that drive innovation and sustainability in ports.

Addressed to: companies or port authorities.

5.     Sustainable Cruise Experience 2024

Description: Cruise line or port that has implemented innovative practices to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability in the cruise industry.

Target audience: cruise lines and ports.

6.     Hotel Sustainability 2024

Description: Best practices in the hotel industry that promote the conservation of marine and coastal resources and have a positive impact on the territory.

Target audience: hotel companies.

7.     Resilience 2024

Description: Best public management strategy, governance initiative or specific solution to address the challenges presented by climate change in relation to blue tourism and that strengthen the long-term resilience of the destination, promoting its prosperity in harmony with the environment (Blue Island).

Target audience: destinations and public institutions.

8.     Innovation in Water Resources Management 2024

Description: recognizes best practices and innovations in the management and conservation of water resources in tourist destinations.

Addressed to: companies and public institutions.

9.     Blue Entrepreneurship 2024

Description: startups or emerging companies that significantly contribute to the advancement of the blue economy with innovative solutions applying emerging technologies such as digital twins, VR/AR, and other technological innovations that transform blue tourism.

Target audience: startups and emerging companies.

10.  Innovation in Artificial Intelligence 2024

Description: recognizes the best application of AI in the blue tourism sector, improving the efficiency, personalization and sustainability of tourism experiences.

Addressed to: companies and startups.

11.  Blue Data Spaces 2024

Description: best initiative in the use and management of data spaces for the blue economy, highlighting its application in sustainability and operational efficiency.

Target audience: companies and public institutions.

12.  Cooperation for Blue Tourism 2024

Description: awards the association or institution that develops projects or initiatives in cooperation with other entities that advance research or implementation of best practices in sustainable blue tourism.

Aimed at: associations, NGOs, universities and research centers.

How to participate

Those wishing to submit applications must complete this electronic form. Likewise, they must attach a dossier of the project through the template provided to present their project in sufficient detail and allow its evaluation by the jury. It is also included the possibility (optional) to provide a video explaining the project up to 1 minute long. Special consideration will be given to those elements provided that highlight the sustainable nature of the initiative and its positive impact.

To be eligible for any of the prizes in this contest, the participant must be a legally constituted company, organization or public or private institution.

Each of the companies, public organizations and institutions may submit a maximum of one project or experience in each category. 

It is essential that the initiatives have been developed or started* in the 24 months prior to the deadline for submission of applications (September 30, 2024). * In the case of unfinished projects, it will be necessary to provide partial results.

The jury, through the organization of the competition, reserves the right to directly ask the candidates for additional information or specific clarifications on the documentation provided, in order to have a better understanding of the applications. After an initial analysis, a pre-selection of entries will be made, with a maximum of 3 finalist entries for each of the categories. Once the pre-selection is completed, it will be communicated to the participating entities.

REGISTRATION FORM

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