BOSTON, Dec. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The cumulative lifetime of philanthropic work and charitable giving of SkyLink Travel Group Founder, Chairman and CEO Surjit Babra was honored with the Globe Award presented by Reed Travel Exhibitions' Chariman of the World Travel Market, Fiona Jeffrey, at the 2012 London event in November. Babra's significant charitable works have made great impact on bettering the lives of adults and children in Canada, his adopted country, where he has consistently supported children's charities and hospital and youth organizations as well as global destinations.

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The award was presented to Babra at the Reception Ceremony and VIP Opening World Travel Market, an iconic annual event held in London at which suppliers in the travel and tourism industry come together with travel professionals from every continent. Chairman Jeffrey noted that Babra's award was "not for a one-time project" but explained that "his charitable giving and philanthropic efforts are a life-long venture." Babra was nominated for the award by the Canadian Travel Press. David McClung, President of the Canadian Travel Press, jointly presented the World Travel Market Globe Award with Chairman Jeffrey to Babra. "Surjit has dedicated his business and life to humanitarian efforts since the early 1990s. This commitment to those people around the world less fortunate than him deserves recognition," Jeffrey notes.

In addition to the significant positive impact of Babra's philanthropies in Canada, Babra has overseen the charitable works of SkyLink Travel Group worldwide. These endeavors include: funding oneprosper.org to provide drip irrigation farming in India as well as support to rescue young women from street life in India. SkyLink Travel Group has made donations of medicine, equipment, relief funds, food and supplies to war-torn countries, those suffering from natural disasters, political strife, and times of great need. Included in the roster of international recipient countries are: Georgia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, India, Palestine, Iraq, Mauritius, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Chad, Sudan, North Korea, Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, Italy, Samoa, Vietnam, Haiti, Moldova, Uganda and Kyrgyzstan.

World Travel Market Global Awards are presented annually. In addition to Surjit Babra, 2012 winners include: Lorca City, Gianluca Picone, R&D Manager of the Royal Continental Hotel Naples, Pousada do Toque, Abreu Travel Agency, UTS Group, Indigo Airlines, Priceline.com, Kuoni Travel, Ctrip.com International Ltd, J. Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and Mr. Selim El Zyr, co-founder, president and CEO at Rotana Group of Hotels.

Babra notes his appreciation to his colleagues in the travel industry for this recognition but was quick to say that the world is the source of his company's business. "We, who focus our lives on travel to every continent, have a responsibility to keep the world a wonderful place to visit. We all need to do our part to assure that all parts of the world continue to be wonderful places for travelers to visit. We can do that by supporting destinations in need."

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Surjit Babra Receives World Travel Market Globe Award