THE New Forest has been named top of the crop when it comes to responsible tourism, beating countries from around the globe to bag the overall winner award at this year's internationally recognised Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards.

And the praise didn't stop there. The area was also named Best Destination and New Forest Tourism destination manager Anthony Climpson OBE won the Personal Contribution Award.

Up against such beautiful locations as Sri Lanka and Costa Rica, our National Park was described as "benefiting all interests as well as providing a model for other destinations to follow" at the ceremony at The World Travel Market in London, yesterday.

The awards, sponsored by Virgin Holidays, were launched in 2004 by Bristol-based online travel directory responsibletravel.com and this year were organised in association with The Times and Geographical magazine.

Tourists are asked to nominate any ventures they feel have provided outstanding holidays that benefit local people as well as the destination.

Judges pointed to the contribution of the New Forest Breakfast to sustainable development, which is only possible because of the availability of local suppliers to meet demand for local produce from both local residents and visitors to the area, going on to say: "The New Forest has set an example which others are seeking to emulate and surpass."

Beating a wildlife conservation and responsible tourism consultant to the personal contribution award, Anthony Climpson said: "We have to remember we are all human beings and treat each other with respect - host as visitor and visitor as host.

"Unless we resolve this fundamental issue, the world's special environments will always be undermined.

"We must be aware that responsible tourism really is our future together."

Justin Francis, responsibletravel.com co-founder and managing director, said: "It never ceases to amaze me how much thought and innovation has gone into the holidays that we shortlist."