Nelson Mandela once said: “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
It’s something at the recently launched International Centre for Responsible Tourism global (ICRT global) we are completely dedicated to, by supporting Universities, developing online training and sharing knowledge.
1. Share your knowledge
You can help to educate the world in 2025 by sharing your knowledge and experiences and entering a 2025 Responsible Tourism Award. It’s always free to enter and this year we’ll also be using ideas and examples from the winners in our training courses.
We have regional awards in Latin America, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe and Southeast Asia. The winners from these regional awards will go on to contend for a Global Responsible Tourism Award, sponsored by Sabre. Dates and timings for all the awards will be updated here: 2025 Responsible Tourism Awards – ICRT GLOBAL.
And, do get your year off to a good start by reading about our inspirational 2024 winners and finalists 2024 Global Winners – ICRT GLOBAL.
The WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards are already now open for entry and entries close on 19 March 2025. Winners will be announced live at WTM Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on 10 April 2025.
When launching the call for entries Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director for RX Africa said:. These annual awards celebrate exceptional efforts driving tourism as a force for good. They’re our way of honouring initiatives that address key global challenges while enhancing the travel experience. We believe tourism can change the world. If that’s a message you align with, don’t miss your chance to be recognised as a leader in responsible tourism and to put your company on the global map.”
Entering is free and easy. Just visit the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards page, select your category and download the entry form, then submit a compelling case study to Sharon Murray showing your measurable impact and innovative approach to Responsible Tourism.
2. Keep learning
There’s a Chinese proverb which says: “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”I began my career as an adult educator, and I’m constantly surprised by how powerful lifelong learning can be to a person’s career and personal development.
That’s why we felt it was important to launch online training courses for individuals who perhaps don’t have the time, or budget to undertake a full master’s programme, but a course which equips them to carry the treasure of knowledge into their careers. I’ll be teaching two online courses, one on Responsible Tourism which starts on 30 January one on Overtourism which will bring the latest best practices to our students’ attention.
We define overtourism as the point at which hosts, guests, locals or visitors feel that there are too many visitors and that the quality of the life in the area, or the quality of the experience has deteriorated unacceptably. Our first overtourism course starts on 27 February.
Whatever your challenges for 2025, please keep sharing your knowledge and learning. It is only through this that we can really build a Responsible Tourism movement that can effect change at scale. Thank you for reading my articles in 2024 and I look forward to hearing from you and sharing more in 2025.
