This year’s Global Responsible Tourism Award winners illustrate that travel can be inclusive, environmentally friendly, beneficial to nature, and a positive influence on local communities.
Marking its 20th anniversary this year, the Responsible Tourism Awards serve as a beacon for the positive aspects of the travel industry. Organized by the non-profit International Centre for Responsible Tourism Global, the awards focus on highlighting the advantages of tourism while encouraging other organizations to follow suit.
Such awards are especially significant during a period when tourism faces challenges. With global travel recovering to pre-pandemic levels and one in 10 individuals working in the industry, it is clear that there is a pressing need to enhance the sector’s environmental, economic, and cultural influence. Supporting businesses that contribute positively to their local communities results in benefits for both tourists and locals. Furthermore, for travelers seeking to embrace local culture, experience remarkable nature, and ensure responsible tourism practices, the winning businesses have shown their prowess in achieving these goals and more.
Tess Longfield, the head of sustainability communications at Sabre, the awards’ sponsor, noted that all the winners are making significant strides in fostering a more sustainable and equitable world through tourism. “It’s a testament to the power of responsible travel to make a real difference,” she remarked.
From a private ecolodge in South Africa to a volunteering organization in a Peruvian biosphere reserve, these are the firms to consider for bookings in 2024 and beyond:
This five-star ecolodge situated in 3,500 hectares of South African wilderness continuously researches innovative methods to enhance the lives of the local community and safeguard the delicate landscapes and wildlife surrounding it.
In addition to providing guests with unique tourism experiences, such as guided walks through the flora-abundant fynbos and coastal safaris in waters rich with great white sharks and dolphins, Grootbos’ lodge also creates ecotourism employment for the local community. Revenues generated by the lodge support the Grootbos Foundation, which offers free skills and business training to hundreds of local residents in hospitality, horticulture, entrepreneurship, and biodiversity. This initiative fosters a much-needed ripple effect amid a serious unemployment crisis in South Africa.
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The judging team hailed Grootbos as “an exemplary business that others can learn from,” lauding its commitment to constantly expanding the frontiers and discovering innovative methods for fostering responsible tourism.
“Grootbos is dedicated to both community and conservation,” stated Phil Murray, the fundraising, donor relations, and communications manager at Grootbos Foundation. “Both aspects are essential, and they can thrive together through programs and a responsible tourism business that values people and the planet.”
Rajasthan Studio offers curated art experiences with master artisans in Rajasthan, enabling travellers to appreciate, comprehend, and cherish the local culture of their destination. Visitors can engage with master artists in their homes and studios, meet their families, observe the creation of local handicrafts, and collaboratively craft a personalized souvenir with the artisan.
The experiences encompass a glimpse into exceptional and uncommon art forms such as puppetry and the enchanting blue pottery of Jaipur, pichwai art and sea foam carving from Udaipur, leather juttis and tie dye from Jodhpur, among many others. The goal is to foster a community of artists and expand the business to various regions of Rajasthan, and eventually throughout India.
“Rajasthan is a state enriched with a remarkable artistic heritage, and travelers are keen to delve into every facet of it,” stated company founder Kartik Gaggar. “But why should we just explore? We pondered this question and concluded: let’s transform it into a meaningful experience.”
The judges were struck by Gaggar’s capability to forge an immersive cultural adventure that economically supports artists while enriching the experiences of travelers. They described it as a “highly replicable approach”.
Currently, the company provides over 20 hands-on art experiences in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, with aspirations to include artists from Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Bundi, and Kota in the near future.
As this year’s protests have shown, tourism influences local communities in ways that extend beyond just the visitors. Sivatel Bangkok emerged as the top winner this year, recognized for its creative approach that connects local providers with the aim of supporting the community directly.
The hotel proudly obtains 70% of its ingredients through organic channels and collaborates with over 50 local farmers via the Sivatel’s Farmer Friends Network. Additionally, it bolsters local producers and encourages a sustainable environment through the “Sivatel Sustainable Market,” a temporary market set up in the hotel for local artisans and food producers to showcase their products to travelers. The hotel’s uniforms are crafted by Folkcharm, a local sustainable fashion label that champions local artisans.
What sets it apart is its “From Kitchen to Chicken” program, which repurposes food scraps from the hotel as feed for black soldier fly larvae. These larvae are then converted into protein for organic chickens at a nearby chicken farm, which in turn supplies the hotel with its meat.
The panel of judges was particularly impressed with Sivatel Bangkok’s well-organized program focused on regenerative agriculture and its dedication to sourcing and training local providers.
“We believe that to live on this Earth, we cannot live alone but must support each other,” stated Alisara Sivayathorn, the CEO of Sivatel.
With a yearly clientele of over six million holidaymakers, TUI stands out as one of Europe’s top tourism brands. Their profound dedication to inclusivity has garnered attention, particularly through their innovative strategies designed to assist travelers with access requirements in booking accommodations.
TUI has implemented numerous initiatives, including a team of 90 specialized agents at their contact center trained in accessibility. They have collaborated with AccessAble to conduct surveys on hotels and produce comprehensive access guides. Additionally, they work with Sign Live to offer interpreting services catering to British Sign Language users.
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“Around one in four of the UK population lives with a disability or condition that impacts their daily life,” said Marina Snellenberg, TUI’s accessibility manager, “and the prevalence of disability rises sharply with age. It’s important that TUI consider the needs and expectations of the disabled community, allowing for a sustained and deliverable customer experience for years to come.”
Judges expressed satisfaction in seeing a leading tour operator meet the needs of guests with accessibility requirements comprehensively, hoping that this sets a precedent for others in the industry.
This award recognizes a small hotel chain in Sri Lanka that is committed to decarbonizing its operations, demonstrating that even smaller enterprises can take substantial steps toward sustainability and serve as an inspiration for others.
In the tropical climate of Sri Lanka, air conditioning can account for as much as 60% of a hotel’s energy consumption. Within its 19 establishments, Jetwing Hotels harnesses renewable energy from sources such as biomass, solar PV, solar thermal, and biogas to fulfill its power needs. In 2023, this hotel group produced enough renewable energy to power approximately 13,490 households. Additionally, the company has streamlined its supply chain to minimize transportation emissions and is now procuring 40% of their inputs locally for its hotels.
Managing director Dmitri Cooray remarked, “By lowering energy expenses and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among our staff and guests, we ensure that our business practices are environmentally sound and financially sustainable. Our achievements demonstrate that even the smallest actions can spark a ripple effect, inspiring others to implement significant changes.”
The founders of the award assert that the travel industry has a vital role in reversing biodiversity loss and safeguarding nature for the generations to come by endorsing a regenerative approach to tourism. CREES, a Peruvian organization that provides tours and volunteering experiences in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, has been honored with this year’s Nature Positive award.
This educational tourism initiative is focused on benefiting local communities and conserving biodiversity through its three research stations within the Manu National Park, which hosts one of the most extensive and long-standing biodiversity studies in the Amazon. Visitors have the unique opportunity to observe conservation efforts first hand by exploring the rainforest alongside the center’s naturalist guides. They can also engage in ongoing projects, such as inspecting pitfall traps, monitoring bird life, and conducting visual surveys of reptiles and amphibians at night. Many of these initiatives track the vitality of newly regenerated forest areas, replanted by the conservation team, to better understand species recovery.
The judges were particularly struck by CREES’s comprehensive approach, highlighting its extensive agenda that promotes sustainable alternatives while honoring human rights, intergenerational rights, biodiversity rights, and the rights of species. These principles were pivotal in securing its victory.
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