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
When: 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
When: 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
When: 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
When: 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
When: 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
When: 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
When: 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
When: 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
When: 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
When: 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.
