Selected cases from 10 Latin American countries are competing in six different categories. Winners will be announced on April 16 during the event
Debating issues related to responsible tourism and supporting the travel and tourism industry into implementing practices based on this concept have been a fundamental element of the WTM Latin America program since its first edition in 2013. The event’s commitment to responsible tourism became even wider when the schedule of lectures, panels and round table discussions was bolstered 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. With just 45 days before the beginning of the event, WTM Latin America has announced the 22 finalists from 10 countries competing for the fourth edition of the Award in six different categories. An innovative feature for this year was the inclusion of categories that relate to the reality of the region – such as indigenous tourism and/or tourism in traditional communities – and strategic partners specialized in the field operating in different countries. Finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
| ORGANIZATION | COUNTRY |
| Apata Colombia | Colombia |
| Asociación de Guias de Turismo Comunitario Explorando el Valle – ASOGTURC | Guatemala |
| EcoGuerreros SC de RL de CV | Mexico |
| Favela Santa Marta Tour | Brazil |
| Fundación Agua y Tierra | Panama |
| Grande Reserva Mata Atlântica | Brazil |
| Grupo Cataratas | Brazil |
| Guyana Tourism Authority | Guyana |
| Impulse Travel | Colombia |
| Instituto Superior Indígena Raúl Karai Correa | Argentina |
| Mama Uma Travel S.A.S. | Ecuador |
| Manakin Nature Tours | Colombia |
| Mujeres a la Cumbre | Chile |
| Parque Nacional de Jericoacoara, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade | Brazil |
| Programa de Descarbonização do Grupo Tauá de Hotéis e Resorts | Brazil |
| Rainforest Expeditions | Peru |
| Rota da Liberdade | Brazil |
| Rutas Ancestrales Araucarias | Chile |
| San Luis Capital – Dirección de Turismo Municipal de SLP | Mexico |
| Say Hueque Argentina Journeys | Argentina |
| Sociedad Comercial Budi Lafken SPA | Chile |
| Travolution Internacional | Colombia |
Over 150 cases in total – an increase of over 40% compared to last year – were rigorously evaluated by a panel composed of travel agents, operators, managers of associations, representatives of public authorities, journalists and opinion makers from different Latin American countries, as well as experts from six allies who are renowned in their fields and are working to promote responsible tourism throughout Latin America. The winners will be announced on April 16, at 6 p.m., during the Transformation theater program at WTM Latin America 2024.
The selection criteria cover originality, replicability potential and the possibility of measuring the impact achieved with the proposed solution. Besides the recognition, finalists receive feedback from experts and public acknowledgment of good practices for clients and buyers in a very competitive market.
The following categories will have awarded cases in the fourth edition of the Responsible Tourism Awards: 1) Best initiatives for biodiversity conservation; 2) Best initiatives to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in tourism; 3) Best initiatives to promote social and economic impacts and peace-building through tourism; 4) Best networking initiatives to promote responsible tourism in the destinations; 5) Best initiatives for indigenous and/or Traditional Communities tourism; 6) Best initiatives for climate change mitigation.