In 23 June 2026, the Europe Responsible Tourism Forum and Awards will be hosted at the Press Club Brussels Europe by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism. The first edition of the Forum, presented by Paloma Hotel Group, aims to bring together senior leaders from across the tourism sector.
The International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) has been organising the Responsible Tourism Awards since 2004. Over the years, they have become known for identifying change makers who focus on making tourism better through evidence-based, replicable, and innovative initiatives.
Last year’s Responsible Tourism Awards’ ceremony took place at the Press Club Brussels Europe on 16 October 2025 and celebrated hotels, tour operators, and destinations which identified new benchmarks in responsible travel. Six categories in particular were highlighted during the event: local sourcing and creating shared value, waste management, nature-positive tourism, peace and inclusion, climate adaptation and resilience, and responsible all-inclusives.
In 2026, the Europe Responsible Tourism Awards presented by easyJet holidays will once again be presented at the Press Club Brussels Europe. The ceremony will take place on 23 June 2026 and for the first time, the Awards will be preceded by a Europe Responsible Tourism Forum. Presented by Paloma Hotel Group, the event will convene destination authorities, tourism businesses, NGOs, and policymakers for discussions examining issues such as policy changes in Europe and best practice in responsible tourism.
“We are delighted to welcome Paloma Hotel Group as sponsors of the new ICRT Europe Forum. Its commitment to sharing and encouraging best practice is exemplary and we look forward to a thought-provoking series of discussions,” said Debbie Hindle, chair of ICRT global.
Paloma Hotel Group is a family-owned hospitality company with more than 40 years of experience operating premium resorts and hotels across Türkiye and the Mediterranean, with an approach grounded in the belief that hospitality should enhance the wellbeing of the places where it operates, creating benefits for residents as well as guests. By bringing together senior leaders from across the tourism sector, the forum aims to become a concise, high impact event focused on delivering responsible tourism in Europe.
“We are deeply proud to support an event that champions responsible tourism. For us responsibility is not an add-on, it is central to how we operate, invest and grow. The ICRT Europe Forum provides an important opportunity to listen, learn, and engage with leaders who are confronting the sector’s most pressing challenges. We look forward to hearing from the panellists and speakers, and to exploring the issues and opportunities we can address collectively to ensure tourism creates lasting value for communities, nature and local economies,” stated Ece Tonbul, Paloma Hotel Group chairwoman and CEO.
After the Forum, the audience will be able to attend the unveiling of the winners of the 2026 ICRT Europe Responsible Tourism Awards presented by easyJet holidays. Six specific categories will be recognised during the evening: local economic benefit, diversity, equity, and inclusion, nature positive, championing cultural diversity, adapting climate to change, and regenerative tourism.
The first edition of the Europe Responsible Tourism Forum, which is free to attend, and the Awards will be opened by António Buscardini, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travel Tomorrow and President of the Press Club Brussels Europe. Registrations will start at 4:30 pm on 23 June 2026.
While the entries for the Europe Responsible Tourism Awards are closed at the time of writing, entries for the ICRT Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide remain open until 30 June 2026. The winners will be announced during a Virtual Awards Event in August 2026.
