ICRT Global announced the six winners of the 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Awards in London on 2 November. They include a Sri Lankan hotel staffed entirely by women, a Czech school travel operator and a Brazilian network that helped residents find new sources of income after a dam collapse.
The judges selected the winners from 34 finalists across 24 countries. Each finalist had won gold in one of six regional competitions. The Belize Tourism Board sponsored the global awards, which were presented at the annual ICRT Global Summit.
“Belize believes tourism must deliver real benefits for the people and places that make a destination special,” said Anthony Mahler, Belize’s tourism minister. “Our support for the Global Responsible Tourism Awards is an opportunity to celebrate those who are turning that principle into action, and to share solutions that others can learn from. We are proud to champion ideas that protect natural and cultural heritage, strengthen communities and build a more resilient and inclusive future through tourism,” he highlighted.
Brussels hosted the European Responsible Tourism Awards in June, recognising projects that restore forests, support regenerative farming and preserve cultural heritage. Gold winners in Brussels and at the five other regional competitions qualified for the global awards in London.
Amba Yaalu Kandalama in Sri Lanka won the award for diversity, equity and inclusion. Women hold every position at the hotel, from management to maintenance. The judges highlighted the hotel’s employment practices, including flexible working arrangements and safe transport for staff.
Czech operator CAS Trips won the cultural diversity award for its school trips. Students meet local organisations online before they travel. During the trip, those organisations lead workshops to explain what their communities need. Students then work with residents on ways to meet those needs.
In Brazil, Céu de Montanhas won the local economic benefit award. The network formed in Brumadinho after the 2019 Córrego do Feijão dam collapse exposed the risks of relying on mining for income. It helps farmers, cooks and artisans sell directly to visitors. In 2025, participating businesses generated about US$1.1 million in turnover and created 148 jobs.
In Spain, TUI Forest Mallorca won the award for adapting to climate change. Following repeated wildfires in the Península de Llevant Natural Park, the project is planting native, fire-resistant species and restoring dunes. More than 1,100 people have taken part in its conservation work.
Exodus Adventure Travels won the nature-positive tourism award for its conservation work. It supports rewilding in Italy’s Apennines and works with the Blue Marine Foundation to protect and restore marine habitats. Travellers on selected Exodus trips record wildlife sightings as part of a citizen science programme.
RuralRevive in Namibia won the regenerative tourism award. Around the town of Maltahöhe, the initiative has trained more than 200 farmers and helped growers supply organic produce to tourism businesses. It is also developing local laundry, transport and waste management services.
Alongside the six category awards, ICRT Global honoured Rupesh Kumar K with its first award for a pioneering contribution to responsible tourism. Kumar, who heads the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, helped connect hotels in Kumarakom with local farmers and producers through cooperatives. He also developed village visits that pay residents to share traditional skills with travellers.
