Tourism Awards Geared Towards Global Responsibility Unveiled

World Responsible Tourism Awards 2021: Recognising Sustainable Leadership in the Travel Industry

The World Responsible Tourism Awards, first launched in 2004, are set to return in 2021, recognising remarkable examples of responsible businesses and destinations. These prestigious awards aim to showcase how inclusivity improves tourism and inspire other businesses and destinations to follow suit.

This year, the Awards will feature six categories, each highlighting a different aspect of sustainable and responsible tourism practices. These categories include Best Accommodation for Responsible Tourism, Best Community Initiative, Best Responsible Destination, Best Responsible Travel Experience, Best Innovation in Responsible Tourism, and Best Tourism for Tomorrow Award.

Antonio Buscardini, CEO of Buscardini Communications, will be joining the panel of judges for the 2021 Awards. His expertise in the industry will undoubtedly contribute to the fair and thorough evaluation of nominations and applications.

The Awards are accepting nominations and applications for businesses and destinations creating additional livelihoods through SME and micro-entrepreneurial activity. They are also seeking nominations and applications for those reducing plastic waste in the environment, and for those in the category of "Destinations building back better post-COVID". The Sustaining Employees and Communities through the Pandemic category aims to recognise and draw attention to those who have successfully helped employees and tourism-dependent communities during the pandemic.

In addition, the Awards are seeking nominations and applications for high-tech and low-tech solutions to capture and upcycle plastic waste or reduce its use in the travel and tourism sector. The Decarbonising Travel & Tourism category seeks examples of technologies, management systems, and ways of changing consumer behaviour that have demonstrably reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The Awards are open for nominations and applications until August 31, 2021. For those interested in participating, nominations or applications can be made on the awards page.

The World Responsible Tourism Awards serve as a platform to recognise examples of businesses and destinations that have created additional livelihoods and reported the impacts of their efforts. They aim to inspire others to follow in their footsteps, fostering a more sustainable and inclusive travel industry for all. For the most precise and official categories for 2021, consulting the official Responsible Tourism website or archives is recommended.

The Best Accommodation for Responsible Tourism category at the World Responsible Tourism Awards honors hotels and lodges that promote sustainable business practices.
Destinations that successfully reduce plastic waste in their local environment can apply for the Best Reducing Plastic Waste in the Environment category.
Travelling to destinations that have demonstrated resilience in rebuilding after a crisis, like COVID-19, is an activity supported by the World Responsible Tourism Awards' "Destinations building back better post-COVID" category.
Businesses that have positively contributed to their local community through SME and micro-entrepreneurial activity can be nominated under the category Adding Additional Livelihoods through SME and Micro-Entrepreneurial Activity.
In the realm of environmental science and climate-change, the Decarbonising Travel & Tourism category seeks nominations for technologies and management systems that have lowered greenhouse gas emissions in the travel and tourism sector.
The Best Innovation in Responsible Tourism category applauds novel ideas and solutions within the travel industry that contribute to a more sustainable and responsible lifestyle.
Those who have helped employees and tourism-dependent communities during the pandemic can apply for the Sustaining Employees and Communities through the Pandemic category.
The Environmental-Science-focused category, High-Tech and Low-Tech Solutions for Plastic Waste, recognizes inventions for capturing and upcycling plastic waste or reducing plastic use in the travel and tourism sector.
Tourists who visit eco-friendly destinations, partake in wildlife-focused activities, and promote cultural experience during their holiday are contributing positively to the travel industry.
The Best Tourism for Tomorrow Award, one of the World Responsible Tourism Awards categories, honors exemplary organizations that demonstrate leadership in responsible tourism practices.