The World Leisure International Innovation Prize seeks to recognize organizations that have implemented creative solutions which foster local, national, or international leisure opportunities for the benefit and development of individuals and communities. Leisure being defined in its broadest sense including play, recreation, the arts and culture, sports, festivals and celebrations, health and fitness, or travel and tourism. It encompasses indoor or outdoor programmes, services, and amenities.
The major component that sets the World Leisure International Innovation Prize apart from the myriad of similar awards given is that this Prize focuses on the social, cultural, and economic aspects of leisure.
The 2021 World Leisure International Innovation Prize winner is:
Garima Voyage Travel and Tours project called Trekking Routes in Nepal: Path for a Sustainable Development Model.
Founded in 2017, Garima Voyage is a social organization that promotes sustainable business opportunities to local communities and territories.
The founders are Federica Riccadonna, Italian Conflict Researcher & Mediator, who reached Nepal in 2011 and Rabindra Aryal, ex-Maoist combatant, with great experience and deep knowledge of Nepal for his involvement in the civil war. Both shared a common commitment to find solutions to fight poverty supporting peace.
Since 2018 they have been developing new trekking routes in a district of Nepal, northern part of Kathmandu, Sindhupalchowk. The goal of this project is to provide sources of economic, social, and cultural development for rural and mountainous communities in the district by using a common thing: trails, to develop a specific destination: sustainable trekking in an area that is by nature and geography perfect for such offer.
In this way, a Sustainable Model/Destination is created, on which other activities (climbing, cycling, paragliding, agrotourism …) can rely on.
Trekking tourism aims to recognize and enhance the centrality of the local community, protecting traditions and supporting them. Sustainable Tourism can revitalize microeconomies, especially decentralized communities, through initiatives in rural field, training, infrastructure development.
They have already collaborated with the University of Trento in Italy, with workshops, student exchanges, internships, and research thesis to provide academic support, etc.
Project Information
Website: www.garimavoyagetravel.com
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/GarimaVoyage.travel
https://www.instagram.com/garimavoyage/
Contact:
Mrs. Federica Riccardonna, Technical Advisor
Email: garimavoyage@gmail.com
The Prize Committee also awarded “Highly Commended” status to:
Good Boost, United Kingdom
Good Boost is a social enterprise delivering technology to support older adults and people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, like arthritis and back pain, take part in inclusive and accessible exercise sessions. We achieve this at local leisure centers, swimming pools and at home; supporting beneficiaries to be more active and manage their health condition through exercise. We achieve this through our pioneering and world-leading technology of A.I. personalized aqua exercise and rehabilitation software, delivered in partnership with community leisure centers and arthritis charities to transform any space into a therapeutic exercise place.
They designed a pioneering and innovative solution and delivery model that enables leisure organizations to support hard to reach people such as older adults, people with health conditions and pregnant women, to better access and utilize community leisure facilities.
Project Information
Website: https://www.goodboost.ai
Contact:
Ben Wilkins, CEO
82 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 0AS, London, UK
Email: ben.wilkins@goodboost.org
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