Finalists Announced For WTM Responsible Tourism Award
The finalists for the WTM Responsible Tourism Award have been announced for 2022.
After an extensive process, there are businesses and destinations, from 21 countries, being recognized as finalists in the WTM Responsible Tourism Awards within the ‘Rest of the World’ category and the ‘Global Award’ at World Travel Market London in November.
Those winning the regional awards in Africa, Latin America and the Rest of World have been automatically entered into the Global Award – and judges have selected the most exciting examples in each category.
Those recognized for 2022 include:
- Asian Trials – destination management company in Thailand
- Asilia Africa – authentic safari experience, Kenya & South Africa
- Audley Travel – tailor-made specialist, UK
- Better Places – tailor-made tours specialist, Netherlands
- Bon Hotel Bloemfontein Central – hotel in South Africa
- Cinnamon Hotels – luxury hotel brand, Sri Lanka
- Exodus – adventure operator, UK
- Explore Worldwide – adventure travel company, UK
- Futurismo Azores Adventures – adventure tourism operator, the Azores
- Gorilla Highlands – tailor-made tours in Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo
- Hilton Grand Vacations – vacation ownership operator, USA
- Ilunion Hotels – hotel chain in Spain
- InOut Hostel – sustainable hostel in Barcelona, Spain
- Japan-San – Japan
- Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project – ensures the fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Killarney Park Hotel – Ireland
- Lemon Tree Hotels – India
- PT Pran Indo Permata Abadi (P.I.P.A.) – Indonesia
- Royal Mountain Travel – travel experiences curated by locals in Nepal
- TEMES, Costa Navarino destination developer – Greece
- TFPD: Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge – South Africa
- The Travel Corporation – USA
- Therme – wellbeing resorts, Romania
- Trans Bhutan Trail – Bhutan
- TUI Care Foundation – Cyprus
- Water Street, Kerala – experiential tourism project, India
- Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge – South Africa
The panel of industry professionals filtered through masses of applications to choose the finalists among entries in eight categories:
- Decarbonizing Travel & Tourism
- Sustaining Employees and Communities through the Pandemic
- Destinations Building Back Better Post-COVID
- Increasing Diversity in Tourism: How Inclusive is our Industry?
- Reducing Plastic Waste in the Environment
- Growing the Local Economic Benefit
- Access for the Differently-Abled: as Travellers, Employees and Holidaymakers
- Increasing Tourism’s Contribution to Natural Heritage and Biodiversity
- Conserving Water and Improving Water Security and Supply for Neighbours
- Contributing to Cultural Heritage
WTM Responsible Tourism Adviser and Chair of the Judges, Harold Goodwin, said: “To be recognized in the WTM Responsible Tourism Awards is a significant achievement. The Awards single out recognition for those who are determined to take responsibility, have a positive impact and make tourism better. Once again, we were overwhelmed with the quality of entries from tourism business and leaders who are making a difference.”
The winners will be announced at WTM London on Mon., Nov. 7 from 14:00 – 14:45 on the Future Stage – with a networking drinks reception taking place later on that day, on the Sustainability Stage from 17:00 to celebrate the winners and congratulate all for taking part.
