First-Ever Travelers Conservation Foundation Sustainable Tourism Scholarship Award Given to Columbia Student

July 16, 2004

First-Ever Travelers Conservation Foundation Sustainable Tourism Scholarship Award Given to Columbia Student
July 16, 2004 (Lexington, Ky.) – The Travelers Conservation Foundation, in partnership with the National Tourism Foundation, is pleased to announce the first recipient of the Travelers Conservation Sustainable Tourism Scholarship Award, a $1,000 award administered in partnership with the National Tourism Foundation. The scholarship will be awarded yearly on the basis of academic achievement and the creativity of an essay about practical applications and project ideas in sustainable tourism.

The award’s first recipient is Shane Taylor of Columbia University. Taylor, who is currently working towards his Doctorate of Philosophy in Urban Planning at Columbia University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, plans to work with urban tourism and planning principles in developing-world cities. Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts with Honors and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Queensland. He later received his Masters of Applied Science (Research) at Queensland University in Australia, and his Masters of Philosophy at Columbia University in 2003. Additionally, he is the author or co-author of more than ten book chapters, journal articles and reports.

"TCF is pleased to assist those who represent the future of tourism. Mr. Taylor and his work are perfect examples of what both TCF and the National Tourism Foundation are in existence to support," said Bruce Beckham, TCF’s Executive Director.

National Tourism Foundation Chairman Roland Kreps congratulated Taylor on his achievement. "The National Tourism Foundation is excited about this new collaboration with TCF and pleased to recognize Shane Taylor’s commitment to the future of tourism," he said.

The Travelers Conservation Foundation was founded by the United States Tour Operators Association to help preserve, conserve and promote responsible use of the world’s natural, cultural and historic treasures. This is achieved by supporting public awareness and conservation education programs and by investing strategically in globally significant projects through direct grants and funding partnerships. Through this work, TCF assumes a dynamic leadership role in protecting endangered sites for the benefit of future generations of travelers to appreciate and enjoy.

The National Tourism Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports research and education in travel and tourism. Since 1982, the National Tourism Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million to travel and tourism students in the form of grants, scholarships and awards. For more information, contact the Foundation at 800-682-8886 or visit http://www.ntfonline.org/.

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