Donald E. Hawkins, emeritus professor of tourism studies, management and international affairs at GW Business, was awarded the Gold Medal of Tourism Merit, 1st degree, from Nuno Fazenda de Almeida, Portugal's secretary of state for tourism, commerce and services.
Hawkins was recognized for his “remarkable” work in the field of tourism, including his efforts to promote sustainable tourism worldwide, and his contributions to strategic tourism planning and tourism development over the past 50 years.
Among Hawkins' current and past leadership roles and service activities are envoy to the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) in the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Tourism; chair of Solimar International; special adviser to the secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (2013-2017); and chair emeritus of the SAVE Travel Alliance, Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance, and the Sustainable Travel Alliance.
