The Lata Responsible Tourism Awards are set to recognise leaders in ethical tourism.
- Entries are now open for this prestigious event, welcoming participants from across Latin America.
- The awards focus on innovation and excellence in sustainable practices, aiming for positive regional impact.
- Various categories highlight inclusive travel, cultural diversity, nature-focused strategies, and more.
- Winners will gain wider recognition through the Sabre Responsible Global Tourism Awards.
The Latin American Travel Association (Lata) has announced the opening of entries for its inaugural Responsible Tourism Awards. This initiative, aimed at recognising and celebrating outstanding contributions in responsible, ethical, and sustainable tourism practices, is set to take place during the Lata Expo on June 24, at the De Vere Beaumont Estate, near Windsor. This major event presents a platform for tourism enterprises across Latin America to showcase their innovative approaches to overcoming pressing environmental and social issues.
The awards are designed to acknowledge excellence in six critical areas: making travel inclusive, championing cultural diversity, promoting nature positivity, combating climate change, increasing local sourcing to create shared value, and enhancing local community employment and skills. These categories aim to identify and highlight exemplary efforts that can lead to more sustainable tourism models across Latin America.
Harold Goodwin, co-founder of the Responsible Tourism Partnership and chair of the judging panel, emphasised the importance of bringing these practices into the spotlight. He stated, “There is much great practice in Latin America, which most are unaware of. I look forward to seeing this year’s entries, and, remember, the judges can only recognise and award from amongst those that apply.”
Notably, the entry is open to both Lata members and non-members, with a submission deadline set for May 10 at 6 pm. This open call seeks to encourage a broad range of submissions that truly represent the diversity and creativity within the region’s tourism sector.
The judging panel, under the leadership of Goodwin, includes noted experts such as Anne-Kathrin Zschiegner, director of The Long Run; Chris Haslam, chief travel writer at The Sunday Times; Edgar Weggelaar, chief executive of Queer Destinations; and Megan Parkinson, head of sustainability at Lata. Together, they will evaluate each entry based on its commitment to responsible tourism.
A significant aspect of these awards is that the ‘gold’ awardees will progress to the Sabre Responsible Global Tourism Awards. This opportunity not only gives recognition at a regional level but also opens doors for international acclaim, further encouraging best practices in responsible tourism.
Additionally, the Lata Expo, which will be held from June 24 to 26, is Europe’s largest B2B event dedicated to Latin American travel. This expo, hosted entirely at the De Vere Beaumont Estate, provides an essential networking and promotional opportunity for organisations within the sector.
The Lata Responsible Tourism Awards stand as a beacon for promoting ethical tourism practices across Latin America.
