Debating issues related to responsible tourism and supporting the travel and tourism industry in the implementation of practices based on this concept has been a fundamental element of the WTM Latin America program since its first edition in 2013. The event's commitment to responsible tourism It became even broader when the programming of conferences, panels and round tables was reinforced by an award created to recognize good practices carried out by Latin American companies.
The Responsible Tourism Award was launched in 2019 and its first edition was presented online in 2021. It has already highlighted dozens of initiatives carried out by companies and associations of different sizes in the region. Just 45 days before the start of the event, WTM Latin America announced the 22 finalists from 10 countries who will compete for the fourth edition of the Award in six different categories. An innovative feature for this year was the inclusion of categories related to the reality of the region – such as indigenous tourism and/or tourism in traditional communities – and strategic partners specialized in the matter that operate in different countries.
The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
Apata Colombia-Colombia
Association of Community Tour Guides Exploring the Valley – ASOGTURC-Guatemala
EcoGuerreros SC de RL de CV-Mexico
Tour through the favelas of Santa Marta-Brazil
Water and Earth Foundation-Panama
Great Atlantic Forest Reserve-Brazil
Cataratas Group- Brazil
Guyana Tourism Authority-Guayana
Impulsive travel-Colombia
Indigenous Higher Institute Raúl Sr. Correa-Argentina
Mama Uma Travel SAS-Ecuador
Jumping Nature Tours-Colombia
Women to the Summit-Chile
Jericoacoara National Park, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation-Brazil
Tauá Group of Hotels and Resorts Decarbonization Program-Brazil
Expeditions to the rainforest-Peru
Freedom Route-Brazil
Araucarias Ancestral Routes-Chile
San Luis Capital – SLP Municipal Tourism Directorate-Mexico
Say Hueque Argentina Travel-Argentina
Budi Lafken SPA Trade Society-Chile
International Travel-Colombia
More than 150 cases in total – an increase of more than 40% compared to last year – were rigorously evaluated by a panel made up of travel agents, operators, association directors, representatives of public authorities, journalists and opinion formers from different countries. Latin Americans, as well as experts from six recognized allies in their fields who work to promote responsible tourism throughout Latin America. The winners will be announced on April 16, at 6:00 p.m., during the Transformación theater programming of WTM Latin America 2024.
The selection criteria cover originality, the potential for replicability and the possibility of measuring the impact achieved with the proposed solution. In addition to recognition, finalists receive expert feedback and public recognition of good practices for clients and buyers in a highly competitive market.
The following categories will have award-winning cases in the fourth edition of the Responsible Tourism Awards: 1) Best initiatives for the conservation of biodiversity; 2) Better initiatives to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in tourism; 3) Better initiatives to promote social and economic impacts and peacebuilding through tourism; 4) Better networking initiatives to promote responsible tourism in destinations; 5) Better tourism initiatives of Indigenous and/or Traditional Communities; 6) Better initiatives for climate change mitigation.