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Fijian Tourist Guide Honored by Website

According to reviews by tourists posted on www.leaplocal.org, Fijian guide Tevita Ratunigaloa of Tribewanted was among six tourist guides to be recognized for excellence. Traveler reviews were judged by an international panel of experts, including journalists and authors. The five judges each picked six winning tourist guides and services and then debated the results during a live online conference. Ratunigaloa didn’t even know he was competing, but is pleased to be among the winners. The hospitality businesses and guides were judged on the quality of experience they provided to the traveler, their eco impact and whether they give back to their communities. Ratunigaloa was was a winner on all counts.

Sponsors of the competition, such as Go Outdoors from the U.K., have provided prizes of sporting gear, while other sponsors are awarding free promotion to the winners. The five other winners are from India, the Philippines, two from Peru, and Easter Island. Tribewanted is an initiative which gets tourists and locals to work together as a tribe in Fiji. Leap Local was co-founded by Dr. Nicola Dee of Cambridge England and Louise Norton of Peru. Leap Local’s goal is to keep tourism dollars in the pockets of local communities. It was ranked number 15 in the Independent newspaper’s “50 best travel websites” and was featured in the Guardian newspaper. For more information, visit www.leaplocal.org.

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