Global Responsible Tourism Award Winners 2024
The 20th annual Global Responsible Tourism Awards winners were unveiled in London on November 4, with South Africa, the UK-Ireland, Sri Lanka, India, Peru and Thailand grabbing top honors among 33 regional winners.
International Centre for Responsible Tourism founder Harold Goodwin said, “Too often the term sustainable is used only in an abstract sense. Responsible Tourism requires us to say what we are doing to make tourism better and to be transparent about what we achieve. That’s why all the award winners we are celebrating today are evidence-based, replicable, innovative and are actively influencing and inspiring others. Each winner has something we can all learn from.”
Winners
The Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Lodge and Foundation in South Africa wins a Global Responsible Tourism award for employing and upskilling local communities. Grootbos Lodge is an ecolodge set in 3,500 hectares of wilderness and has been conserving a growing part of the fynbos overlooking Walker Bay since 1994, generating funds for conservation and empowering people in its neighboring communities. The Lodge upskills, trains and mentors its staff and supports and promotes local producers. Through the Grootbos Foundation, it provides free skills and business training for employment and ‘economic dignity’ for local people. Its Green Futures College covers the training costs, uniforms, transport, food, stipends and childcare for between 20 and 24 unemployed people each year.
Tour operator TUI UK and Ireland wins a Global Responsible Tourism Award for making tourism inclusive. TUI UK and Ireland serves more than six million holidaymakers a year. Its dedicated Accessible Holidays Strategy team has partnered with Access Able to survey hotels and develop detailed access guides which are now available online. It has also partnered with Sign Live to provide interpreting services for British sign language users via video relay. The TUI specialist team regularly achieves 9.5/10 customer satisfaction scores. The judges were pleased to see a major tour operator address the needs of those with access needs and hope that others will follow their example.
Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka wins the Global Responsible Tourism Award for climate action. The judges were looking for organizations that are actively contributing to the decarbonisation of tourism operations and exploring innovative ways to protect against threats to ensure business continuity. Jetwing Hotels currently secures 60% of its energy from renewable sources, from biomass, solar PV, solar thermal and biogas. In 2023, Jetwing Hotels generated 1069 MWh of solar energy across its properties, equivalent to providing power for about 13,490 households and mitigating the release of 608 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Photovoltaic materials are being delivered across a further twelve properties.
Crees Manu in Peru wins the Nature Positive Global Responsible Tourism Award for its work, including running tours and volunteering opportunities as both internships and learning experiences in the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Crees works to “promote sustainable alternatives that respect human rights, intergenerational rights, biodiversity rights and the rights of its species to ensure long-term sustainable economic development.” It has reduced greenhouse gas emissions, conserved over 600 hectares of forest in the buffer zone of Manu National Park and works with educational programmes to benefit the local people and conserve biodiversity.
Sivatel Bangkok Hotel in Thailand wins the Global Responsible Tourism Award for creating local sourcing and shared value. The hotel sources 70% of its ingredients organically and is aiming for 100% by 2030. Sivatel Bangkok Hotel achieved zero food waste to landfill in 2023, is striving for zero overall waste by 2024 and plans to integrate renewable energy by 2025. It partners with more than 50 local farmers through the “Sivatel’s Farmer Friends Network” and partners with local producers through the “Sivatel Sustainable Market”, connecting staff, guests and local vendors. The “From Kitchen to Chicken” program is a closed-loop system, diverting food scraps to feed black soldier fly larvae, which are then used as protein for organic chickens at Tankhun Organic Chicken Farm, promoting resource efficiency and fresh, organic eggs. Uniforms are designed by Folkcharm, a local sustainable fashion brand that works with a community in Loei, supporting local artisans while providing unique uniforms.
Rajasthan Studio in India wins the Global Responsible Tourism Award for championing cultural diversity. It curates art experiences with master artisans in Rajasthan, contributing to the preservation of the state’s local traditional crafts and culture. At Rajasthan Studio, travelers can engage with master artists at home, meet their families, see the efforts behind making local handicrafts and create a personalized souvenir for themselves, co-created with the crafter. Travelers can connect with the artist in an authentic Indian style. Tourists can understand the history and traditional practices of a specific art form, making a significant contribution to promoting, preserving and propagating art heritage, which the judges felt was highly replicable.
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 Global Award Finalists – ICRT GLOBAL, showcasing top contenders in responsible tourism. The selection process follows strict guidelines ensuring that each finalist meets high standards of sustainability and positive impact in the industry.