The second day of WTM Latin America was marked by the presentation of the Responsible Tourism Prize, created to acknowledge advancements, provide space for successful case replication, and jointly contribute to a more sustainable world.

On the stage of a packed auditorium, Gustavo Pinto, responsible tourism specialist and coordinator of the award, celebrated 158 projects submitted, an increase of almost 200% compared to the previous edition. “This proves that responsible tourism is increasingly strong in our continent,” pointed out the award organizer.

The fourth edition of the Prize was distinguished by a closer dialogue with the Latin American reality, achieved through the inclusion of new categories, such as initiatives promoting indigenous tourism and/or in traditional communities, and those highlighting networked work cases. “”This is the most Latin American edition of all and celebrates the diversity we have in our continent. Everyone here is an inspiration for tourism,” commented Pablo Menendéz, sustainable tourism consultant and partner in organizing the prize.

This achievement was attained through the inclusion of new categories – such as those rewarding initiatives for indigenous tourism and/or in traditional communities, and those highlighting networked work cases. “The prize is gaining more strength, and this year, it has such a Latin, so ours, face, and I believe it is the greatest representation of this call that WTM is making for each one to be the change towards a more sustainable and ethical future for our entire region,” says Bianca Pizzolito, head of WTM Latin America.

 She argues that responsible tourism is not just a trend but an urgent necessity in a world facing increasingly complex environmental, social, and economic challenges. “It is essential to recognize and value practices and projects that promote tourism responsibly, respecting the environment, local communities, and culture. The finalists are the pioneers of this commitment, demonstrating positive impact and serving as examples,” emphasizes Bianca.

The award ceremony was attended by Milton Zuanazzi, National Secretary for Planning, Sustainability, and Competitiveness in Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, who highlighted the prize’s potential to inspire other Brazilian tourism professionals.

“We must be pioneers in planning for the future and move towards 21st-century tourism, based on a clean economy, inspired by a bioeconomy, inspired by what we can do, using as few of the planet’s resources as possible,” he said.

Jaqueline Gil, Director of International Marketing, Business, and Sustainability at Embratur, recalled that promoting Latin America abroad is inherently linked to the need for advancement in the offering of responsible products and services.

“Our job is to attract people from nations where the sustainability agenda is more mature, so it’s a joy to see these projects happening,” she said.

“There’s no longer any way to talk about tourism without incorporating it into the principles and concept of sustainability. If we do that, we’re literally ending our activity,” she concluded.

Here are the winners of the fourth edition

The awardees were selected by a qualified jury of 20 professionals, as well as experts from six allied organizations – Asociación Colombiana de Turismo Responsable (Acotur); Adventure Travel Trade Association; Fundación Panameña de Turismo Sostenible, Instituto Vivejar; La Mano del Mono; World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (Winta) – according to three criteria: originality, potential for replicability, and the possibility of measuring the impacts achieved with the proposed solution.

Best initiatives for biodiversity conservation

Gold – Asociación de Guias de Turismo Comunitario Explorando el Valle (Guatemala)

Silver – Fundación Agua y Tierra (Panama)

Bronze – Raniforest Expeditions (Peru)

Bronze – Parque Nacional de Jericoacoara, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (Brazil)

Best initiatives to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in tourism

Gold – Mama Uma Travel (Ecuador)

Silver – Mujeres a la Cumbre (Chile)

Silver – San Luis Capital – Dirección de Turismo Municipal de SLP (Mexico)

Bronze – Grupo Cataratas [Cataratas Group] (Brazil)

Best initiatives to promote socio-economic impact and peacebuilding through tourism

Gold – Apata Colombia (Colombia)

Gold – Impulse Travel (Colombia)

Silver – Manakin Nature Tours (Colombia)

Bronze – Favela Santa Marta Tour (Brazil)

Best networking initiatives to promote responsible tourism in destinations

Gold – Grande Reserva Mata Atlântica (Brazil)

Silver – Travolution International (Colombia)

Bronze – Camino del Mayab (Mexico)

Best initiatives for Indigenous and/or Traditional Communities tourism

Gold – Budi Lafken Mapu (Chile)

Silver – Instituto Superior Indígena Raúl Karai Correa (Argentina)

Silver – Guyana Tourism Authority (Guyana)

Bronze – Rutas Ancestrales Araucarias (Chile)

Bronze – Rota da Liberdade (Brazil)

Best initiatives for climate change mitigation

Gold – Say Hueque Argentina Journeys (Argentina)

Silver – Group Tauá de Hotéis e Resorts Decarbonization Program (Brazil)

Launched in 2019 and with the first edition delivered virtually in 2021, the Responsible Tourism Award has already highlighted dozens of initiatives carried out by companies and associations of different sizes in the region.

WTM Latin America 2024 began on Monday (15) and continues until Wednesday (17) at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo. Free and mandatory for visitation, accreditation is already available on the website, starting from pages in portuguese, english or spanish.