Global Responsible Tourism Awards 2024

The World Responsible Tourism Awards, founded in 2004 by Justin Francies of Responsible Travel, have been a beacon of inspiration for the tourism industry for the past two decades. The awards aim to celebrate the good and innovative practices in responsible tourism, showcasing examples that inspire others to take responsibility for managing tourism sustainably.

The Responsible Tourism Awards are unique in that they are free to enter, welcoming entries from major airlines to tiny homestays and cultural interaction initiatives. The awards program is not run for profit but rather to highlight and encourage replication of good practices in the industry.

Judging criteria for the awards are clear, focusing on evidence-based practices, replicability, innovation, influence, sustainability, and overall commitment to responsible tourism. Winners are selected based on their ability to inspire and challenge others to make tourism more sustainable and positive.

Recently, the cycle for Africa in 2024 was completed, with Gold winners automatically entered into the Global Responsible Tourism Awards sponsored by Sabre. The categories for the 2024 World Responsible Tourism Awards include Making Travel Inclusive, Championing Cultural Diversity, Nature Positive, Climate Change initiatives, local sourcing, and employing local communities.

The awards calendar includes upcoming regional awards such as the ICRT India Foundation Awards, Latin America LATA Awards, Rest of the World Awards, and ICRT South East Asia Awards. The Gold winners from regional awards will have the opportunity to compete in the Global Awards.

To be recognized, businesses, destinations, and organizations must enter the awards. Encouraging deserving entities to participate can lead to well-deserved recognition for their efforts in responsible tourism.