6th Responsible Tourism Awards
WTM Latin America held the 2025 edition of its Responsible Tourism Awards – an initiative that highlighted the most inspiring stories from the travel and tourism sector in support of sustainable development across our continent.
There were six new categories, each addressing essential themes such as environmental conservation, inclusion and diversity, fair economic development, and the promotion of meaningful relationships between tourists and their destinations.
Registrations closed
Special Category WTM Latin America 2026 – Best Regenerative Tourism Initiatives
Supporter of this category:
Regenerative tourism proposes going beyond sustainability: rather than merely reducing negative impacts, it seeks to restore ecosystems, strengthen communities and revitalise cultures.
This perspective recognises that every destination is a living organism, where nature, culture and the economy are interdependent. Regenerative tourism therefore involves collaborative processes, local governance, social justice, environmental conservation and a reconnection with ancestral and community knowledge.
In this special category for the 2026 edition of WTM Latin America, we are looking for tourism destinations committed to regenerating their territories and communities, implementing innovative and transformative practices aimed at ecosystem restoration, valuing local cultures, strengthening circular economies and promoting collective well-being — both human and non-human.
Registrations closed
Discover the 2026 Categories
1. Best initiatives for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation in tourism
Supporter of this category:
Latin America is facing a critical moment, with 94% of wildlife populations in decline. As a region rich in biodiversity, it must strengthen alliances to conserve 30% of the planet by 2030. Climate change is severely impacting tourism, with extreme weather events affecting tourist destinations.
To reverse this trend, it is vital to integrate conservation and biodiversity restoration actions into business strategies, generating benefits for local communities. Companies and destinations must commit to conservation, decarbonisation, and innovation to tackle climate threats, fostering more sustainable and responsible tourism.
These efforts can become a powerful tool to educate about the importance of nature and to support thousands of local communities deeply connected to their environment.
We are looking for companies and destinations committed to biodiversity conservation and determined to act against climate threats.
2. Best initiatives for the promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion in tourism
Supporter of this category:
Inclusion, accessibility, and diversity are essential pillars of the responsible and sustainable tourism we aim to build for both people and the planet. Inclusive and diverse travel ensures that everyone feels represented, respected, and valued, creating safe spaces for individuals and groups historically excluded from tourism—such as people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ communities, Indigenous peoples, women, Black people, and other ethnic and racial minorities.
A more diverse tourism landscape benefits travellers, host communities, destinations, and tourism businesses by expanding economic opportunities and fostering representation. By adopting inclusive practices, the tourism industry promotes belonging, identity, tolerance, and human connections, while opening new pathways for economic growth.
We are seeking companies, initiatives, and destinations committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion—ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities, or identities, can enjoy enriching and meaningful travel experiences.
3. Best initiatives for the promotion of socioeconomic impact and peacebuilding in tourism
Supporter of this category:
Tourism has experienced continuous expansion and diversification, becoming one of the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors globally, providing significant benefits for the economy and employment in various destinations.
In societies that have recently experienced conflict, tourism has not only become a source of income for local communities but also serves as a symbol of peace and transformation within these regions.
We seek companies, administrations, and civil society organisations actively working to build peace by driving local economies and creating development opportunities, positioning communities as key players in tourism activities within their destinations.
4. Best networking initiatives to promote responsible tourism in destinations
Supporter of this category:
Cooperation and collaboration among all tourism stakeholders (public, private and third sector) are essential for the successful planning and management of sustainable tourism destinations.
It is crucial to strengthen strategic partnerships between the private sector, non-profit organisations and governmental structures, highlighting that coordination between the first two is key to the consolidation of Community Tourism Enterprises (CTEs). It is vital to foster an active culture of collaboration, knowledge exchange and peer support, which maximises socio-economic impact and promotes a broader understanding of heritage (natural, cultural and historical), including knowledge and intangible expressions that are essential to local identity.
We are seeking inspiring initiatives that, through horizontal peer-to-peer collaboration (community to community), have driven the establishment or consolidation of networks. We aim to highlight models with replicability potential that can serve as a benchmark for other destinations in Latin America.
5. Best indigenous and/or traditional community tourism initiatives
Supporter of this category:
The cultural richness of our Indigenous and traditional Latin American peoples is among our greatest tourist assets in the region. Beyond this, these communities are at the forefront of some of the most representative experiences of our continent's diversity, incredible biodiversity, and significant historical heritage.
Their traditions, craftsmanship, cuisine, and cultural practices offer tourists a unique and enriching experience, promoting the preservation and appreciation of local historical heritage.
Furthermore, when the travel and tourism market actively involves these communities, incorporating their products and services, it delivers direct economic benefits, strengthens local economies, and fosters environmental conservation. Recognising and respecting the ancestral knowledge of these peoples is essential to ensuring responsible and inclusive tourism that celebrates and preserves Latin America's cultural authenticity.
We are seeking stories that can serve as inspiration and models for replication, paving the way for inclusive and diverse tourism across Latin America.
6. Best initiatives for preserving memory and valuing historical heritage
Supporter of this category:
The importance of preserving and promoting memory and cultural expressions through monuments, historical sites, and cultural landscapes is widely recognised. However, a people's culture goes far beyond its physical aspects. It encompasses traditions, folklore, knowledge, languages, festivities, and other expressions passed down orally or through gestures, collectively recreated and transformed over time.
Tourism can be a powerful tool for valuing and conserving monuments, historical sites, and cultural traditions, as it raises awareness of their significance and attracts resources necessary for their maintenance. However, tourism can also pose challenges to preservation, as unsustainable practices may place pressure on natural and cultural resources, threatening their authenticity and integrity. The key lies in achieving a balance between valuing heritage and ensuring its preservation.
We are seeking examples of initiatives that contribute positively to the preservation of memory and cultural identity while respecting local traditions and delivering economic and educational benefits to the communities involved.