2025 Categories:

Criteria for Entry

Applicants must demonstrate clear and measurable efforts in at least one of the following areas:

1. Regenerating & Rebuilding Natural Environments
   • Initiatives that restore habitats, reverse biodiversity loss, or regenerate degraded ecosystems.
   • Projects that offset tourism’s environmental footprint through conservation, rewilding, or habitat restoration.
2. Ethical Wildlife & Nature-Based Tourism Experiences
   • Developing ways for travellers to have meaningful, close encounters with wildlife while ensuring zero disturbance to species or ecosystems.
   • Safeguarding protected areas and natural habitats through responsible tourism management.
3. Ensuring Local Communities Benefit from Nature-Based Tourism
   • Supporting community-led conservation initiatives and ensuring that local residents benefit financially and culturally from tourism.
   • Encouraging community involvement in wildlife protection, sustainable land management, or ecotourism enterprises.
4. Educating & Engaging Travelers in Environmental Protection
   • Raising awareness about biodiversity conservation and responsible tourism practices through guest education programs.
   • Encouraging visitor participation in conservation projects, citizen science, or habitat restoration activities.

Applicants should provide tangible evidence of their initiatives, such as biodiversity impact reports, conservation partnerships, community engagement programs, or successful restoration projects.

This award celebrates trailblazers in nature-positive tourism, proving that travel can be a force for ecological regeneration, wildlife protection, and long-term environmental stewardship.

Criteria for Entry

Applicants must provide measurable evidence of their efforts in at least one of the following areas:

1. Reducing & Eliminating Waste
   • Removing single-use plastics from operations and providing sustainable alternatives (e.g., glass or refillable bottles).
   • Implementing waste reduction programs to minimise landfill contributions.
2. Reusing & Recycling Waste Materials
   • Creating systems for sorting and recycling waste within operations.
   • Establishing partnerships to redirect waste into productive use, such as composting food waste or recycling materials.
3. Upcycling & Adding Value to Waste
   • Providing waste materials to local artisans who create upcycled products for sale.
   • Upcycling waste glass into ornaments or plastic into useful products such as furniture, pathways, or wildlife shelters.
   • Selling upcycled products within businesses and using them in daily operations.
4. Preventing Waste Pollution & Protecting Natural Ecosystems
   • Implementing waste collection initiatives to prevent plastic from entering waterways and oceans.
   • Partnering with local communities on waste cleanup and awareness campaigns.

Applicants should provide clear evidence of impact, including quantifiable waste reduction, upcycled product sales, community benefits, and visitor engagement in waste management initiatives.

This award celebrates trailblazers in responsible waste management, proving that tourism can turn waste into opportunity, protect ecosystems, and create a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Criteria for Entry

Applicants must demonstrate measurable efforts in at least one of the following areas:

1. Supporting Local Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses
   • Creating opportunities for sole traders, artisans, and small businesses (SMMEs) to benefit from tourism.
   • Developing initiatives that connect travellers with locally owned businesses, such as markets, guided tours, and community-led experiences.
2. Promoting Local Products & Services
   • Encouraging visitors to purchase locally made souvenirs, handicrafts, and artisanal products.
   • Partnering with local service providers, such as guides, surf schools, cooking classes, and cultural experiences, to ensure visitor spending supports the local economy.
3. Implementing Local Procurement Policies
   • Establishing robust supply chain policies that prioritise locally sourced food, materials, and services.
   • Working with local farmers, suppliers, and manufacturers to reduce reliance on imported goods and support regional economies.

Applicants should provide clear evidence of impact, including data on local procurement spending, business partnerships, and visitor engagement with locally sourced products and services.

This award celebrates those leading the way in responsible tourism-driven economic empowerment, proving that sustainable travel can support local communities, preserve cultural heritage, and create a thriving, resilient tourism industry.

Criteria for Entry

Applicants must provide clear evidence of their impact in at least one of the following areas:

1. Reducing Carbon Emissions in Tourism
   • Implementation of low-carbon or renewable energy solutions within tourism operations.
   • Sustainable transportation initiatives, such as electrification, alternative fuels, or carbon offset programs.
   • Supply chain decarbonization, including local sourcing, sustainable procurement, and reduced reliance on high-emission materials and practices.
2. Developing Climate-Resilient Tourism Models
   • Projects that adapt tourism infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, flooding, or rising temperatures.
   • Water conservation and drought-resistant tourism solutions.
   • Sustainable land management practices that prevent erosion, deforestation, or biodiversity loss.
3. Engaging Tourists & Communities in Climate Action
   • Initiatives that educate and inspire visitors to reduce their environmental impact.
   • Community-led programs that empower local stakeholders to build climate resilience.
   • Experiences that promote climate-conscious behaviours and sustainable choices among travellers.

Applicants should demonstrate clear, measurable impact with supporting data, case studies, or testimonials showcasing how their work is helping to reduce emissions, build resilience, and secure the future of tourism in a rapidly changing climate.

This award honours those leading the way in climate-smart tourism, proving that sustainability is not just a responsibility—it’s essential for the industry’s survival.

Criteria for Entry

Applicants must demonstrate measurable efforts in at least one of the following areas:

1. Genuinely Inclusive & Affordable Travel
   • Offering genuinely all-inclusive travel where all costs are included and there are no hidden extras.
   • Providing accessible facilities, services, and activities for travellers with disabilities, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.
2. Supporting Local Economies & Employment
   • Prioritising local hiring, employing residents on full-time or seasonal contracts rather than casual labour, and providing fair wages and staff benefits.
   • Engaging local people as guides, sports instructors, and activity leaders to ensure the resort experience reflects local talent and culture.
   • Sourcing locally produced food, beverages, and textiles for restaurants, soft furnishings, and staff uniforms, reducing reliance on imports and supporting local producers.
3. Encouraging Cultural Exchange & Local Enterprise
   • Creating opportunities for guests to experience and engage with local culture, whether through food, music, or guided excursions.
   • Promoting local arts, crafts, and products by showcasing artists and artisans within the hotel or resort and encouraging responsible shopping.

Applicants should provide clear evidence of impact, including data on employment practices, procurement policies, accessibility initiatives, and guest engagement with local businesses.

This award honours all-inclusive operators proving that responsible, community-driven tourism can exist within the all-inclusive model—offering travellers a high-quality experience while ensuring long-term benefits for destinations and their people.

Criteria for Entry

Applicants must demonstrate measurable impact in at least one of the following areas:

1. Cultural Exchange & Understanding
   • Initiatives that foster meaningful connections between travellers and local communities.
   • Programs that educate visitors on cultural heritage, traditions, and history in a respectful, authentic way.
   • Efforts to combat stereotypes and misconceptions through tourism experiences.
2. Tourism as a Pathway to Peace & Economic Stability
   • Projects that provide sustainable economic alternatives in conflict-affected or post-conflict regions.
   • Initiatives that use tourism to support social cohesion and reconciliation within communities.
   • Programs that empower local businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs in fragile regions.
3. Accessibility & Inclusion in Tourism
   • Efforts to make tourism experiences accessible to people with disabilities.
   • Programs that promote LGBTQ+ inclusion, gender equality, and social justice in travel.
   • Initiatives that encourage diverse and underserved communities to participate in or benefit from tourism.

Applicants should provide clear evidence of impact, including case studies, testimonials, or measurable outcomes, showcasing how their initiative is fostering peace, understanding, and inclusion through tourism.

This award honours those who believe that tourism can be more than an industry—it can be a catalyst for connection, compassion, and change.