The 10 best responsible tourism awards

One of the best ways to get your responsible tourism business recognised is to win an award. But which one(s) should you enter? What categories should you apply for? When do the award take place? We’ve selected the top 10 awards for organisations working in sustainable and responsible tourism, and provided the essential information you need to get started.


1: The UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: annually around January

Categories: UNWTO Ulysses Prize,  UNWTO Lifetime Achievement Award,  UNWTO Awards for Innovation (in Public Policy and Governance, Enterprises, Non-Governmental Organisations, Research and Technology)

Organised by: UNWTO

For more information go to the UNWTO Awards’ page.

2: VISTAS Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: annually at ITB Berlin, March (by nominations only)

Categories: Good Practice in sustainable and responsible tourism destinations: Coastal & Island Destinations, Alpine Destinations, EDEN Destinations

Organised by: Visions on Sustainable Tourism/TravelMole, ECOTRANS

For more information go to the VISTAS awards’ page.

3: To Do! Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: Annually at ITB Berlin, March

Categories: No categories – any socially responsible tourism business can enter

Organised by: Institute for Tourism and Development

For more information go to the To Do! Awards page

4: World Legacy Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: annually at ITB Berlin, March

Categories: Earth Changers, Sense of Place, Conserving the Natural World, Engaging Communities, Destination Leadership

Orgaised by: National Geographic Traveller

For more information go to the World Legacy Awards’ page.

5: Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: annually at the WTTC’s Global Summit, around April

Categories: Community Award, Destination Award, Environment Award, Innovation Award, People Award

Organised by: WTTC

For more information go to the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards’ page.

6: Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: Annually, September

Categories: Best in Community Engagement and Development, Best in Protection of Natural Areas & Wildlife Conservation, Best in Resource Efficiency, Most Inspiring Responsible Tourism Operator, Most Inspiring Responsible Tourism Initiative

Who can apply: businesses and organisations based in Asia

Organised by: Responsible Tourism Initiative (RTI)

For more information go to the Wild Asia RT Awards’ page.

7: PATA Gold Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: Annually at PATA Travel Mart

Categories: Environment; Heritage & Culture

Who can apply: businesses and organisations based in Asia

Organised by: PATA

For more information go to PATA Gold Awards page

8: Skål  Sustainable in Tourism Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: Annually at Skål World Congress

Categories: Tour Operators; Urban Accommodation; Rural Accommodation; Transportation; Countryside; Marine; Community and Government Projects; Major Tourist Attractions.

Who can apply: anyone

Organised by:Skål

For more information for the the Skal Awards’ page

9: World Responsible Tourism Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: annually at WTM London, November

Categories: Best animal welfare initiative, Best aviation programme for carbon reduction, Best for beach tourism, Best city hotel, Best cultural heritage attraction, Best destination, Best for engaging people & culture, People’s Choice for responsible tourism, Best for people with disabilities, Best for poverty reduction, Best short film for responsible tourism, Best for wildlife conservation

Regional schemes also available: African Responsible Tourism Awards, Irish Responsible Tourism Awards

Organised by: responsibletravel.com

For more information go to the World Responsible Tourism Awards’ page.

10: The Tourism InSPIRE Awards

The 10 best responsible tourism awardsWhen: during  PATA New Tourism Frontiers Forum 2015, November (for the 1st time this year)

Categories: Best Branded Accommodation, Best Independent Accommodation, Best Marine and Wildlife Tourism Provider, Best Culinary Tourism Provider, Best Culture and Heritage Tourism Provider, Best Responsible Tourism Destination, Best Community Based Tourism Initiative

Who can apply:  19 countries of the European Commission-funded SWITCH-Asia programme RPSC mandate)

Organised by: Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

For more information go to the Tourism InSPIRE Awards’ page.

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