Accra, Nov 8, GNA - Five major tourism sites and institutions across the world, have won top honours in the United Kingdom leading environmental tourism awards competition.

The tourism projects dubbed "Tourism for Tomorrow Awards" according to a statement issued by Stratcom on behalf of British Airways are a showcase of the world's role models for responsible tourism. The five sites are selected from more than 70 projects from 37 countries that sent entries.

The awards accesses how projects benefit local community, protect the natural and cultural heritage, control energy and water use, educate local people and visitors and contribute towards a better life for future generations.

The winners are ATG of the UK, an independent tour operator based in Oxford, specialising in worldwide walking holidays founded on principles of environmental conservation and sustainability.

Hotel Finca Rosa Blanca in Costa Rica, which aims at creating an ecological haven and sustainable tourist destination.

Others are the Valley of The Giants Treetop Walk in Australia, a typical Kakum type canopy walk, built 40 metres above the ground, the Large Scale Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation Worldwide and the Bunken National Marine Park for the National Park and Protected Areas category.

The statement made available to the Ghana News Agency said the five category awards, would go forward to compete for global awards in London on December 2, 2003.

Kakum National Park, one of Ghana's flagship tourism sites won the National Parks and Protected Areas Award four years ago and has since attracted thousands of visitors.

It said Ghana has several of award winning tourism sites yet to reach the Kakum status but could come up if given the required support.