The WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION is the highest honor to be awarded for a country for achievements in tourism.

This award is offered to the countries that are complying with the European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) principles on fair tourism, ethical tourism and safety standards and historic preservation of cultural sites.

Historical background.

In 2006 a collective of international specialists in tourism , tourist education, tourism regulation experts and academics from European Union member countries decided that the new century requires a special prize dedicated to influence and support development of tourism , cultural tourism , historical sites preservation and to direct tourism towards countries of social and cultural values . 

On this occasion was decided the title and the methodology of the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD.

According to 2006 decision of Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade the Prize should be awarded under such considerations as : This award must be offered to the countries that are embracing tourism as a resource for cultural and social development, who respect ethics of human relations and preserve cultural and natural heritage as the receivers cities and countries must prove their commitment towards sustainable development, fair tourism and historical preservation.

The title should act as a booster for tourism in that place but in according with international tourism accepted laws and regulation as decided by European Council on Tourism and Trade.

Among the reasons for awarding this title the Board should have under consideration : the promotion of a free and fair tourism , safety of tourists , facilities offered, access to historical and cultural significance sites, the amount of investment in historical sites preservation, cultural protection investment , use of tourism income for the creation of an economic social balanced climate , historical value etc.

Nomination criteria and selection.

Every year the Academic Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade specifically invites qualified tourism academics, experts in tourism , European Union`s and world tourism policy makers, personalities, former recipient of the award to submit nominations for the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD .

These nominators are selected each year by decision of Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade :

- Members of the European Tourism Organizations and National tourism Organizations from the European area (no connection with European Union countries)

- Other members of national parliaments and national governments of the European continent and neibourghoud members country`s

- Present members of the Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade are ex officio participating

- Former members of Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade are participating by base to base invitation only

- University professors from fields of history , tourism , international relations, from European en-large area.

- Important international personalities form tourism environment.

Nominations are usually submitted until 1 of August of the year in question but the update and new name are accepted until the completion is closed. The statues of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD guarantee the secrecy of nominations, procedure, considerations and investigation for a period of 50 years after the prize have being awarded.

The nominations are not representing anything else than the opinion of the nominators and are not involving the European Council on Tourism and Trade in any way. 

Only the final public decision is endorsed by the European Council on Tourism and Trade .

Selection.

Nominations are evaluated and consider on a year round basis by the Academic Committee until a short list of candidates is created and circulated. In the final stage each of the prior recipients of the award are requested to offer their opinion on the short listed candidates in 20 days. 

The decision is ideal if is a unanimous one but this is not always achievable so the largest consensus will be the base for final decision. 

 There is not final date to announce the winner and no pressure on the committee in order to insure that they just and correct decision was taken.

Awarding the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD.

The President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade presents the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD in the presence of a delegation of the European Council on Tourism and Trade in the capital or city that is obtaining the status WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD.

The WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD receives a diploma of honor, a scroll certifying the authenticity of the title and a special trophy.