Responsible Tourism Awards in Europe open for entries until 30 June

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by Harold Goodwin

Dr Harold Goodwin has worked on 4 continents with local communities, their governments, accommodation providers and the inbound and outbound tourism industry. He is a Professor Emeritus and Responsible Tourism Director at the Institute of Place Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, Founder of the ICRT.global, Managing Director of the Responsible Tourism Partnership and adviser to WTM Africa on its Responsible Tourism programme. He chairs the panels of judges for the World Responsible Tourism Awards and the other Awards in the family, Africa, Europe, India, Latin America and Southeast Asia. . Harold founded the ICRTD series of International Conferences on Responsible Tourism in Destinations in 2002, he co-chairs the conferences with the local host organisation. He is also Founder Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism which he founded in 2002 and which promotes the principles of the 2002 Cape Town Declaration. In 2022 the Responsible Tourism Charter was signed on Magna Carta Island incorporating two decades of experience in using tourism to make better places for people to live in and to visit.

13 June 2025 - 15:52

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Applications are open for the Europe and India editions of the 2025 Responsible Tourism Awards, with a submission deadline of 30 June. These awards, part of a globally recognised series, aim to spotlight and celebrate initiatives that are actively improving the tourism sector.

Presented recently at the LATA Sustainability Conference in Latin America and earlier this year at WTM Africa, the awards are a key component of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT)’s mission to support sustainable development in travel.

Seeking demonstrable change

The organisers seek evidence-backed examples of effective, innovative practices that are improving tourism for local communities, the environment, and travellers. The awards favour initiatives that can be replicated and scaled across other regions and contexts.

The awards are open to organisations of all sizes, including small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), with no entry fee to ensure accessibility. A public explanation is always provided to justify the recognition of winners.

“An explicit commitment to Responsible Tourism isn’t required to win. What matters is tangible action and proven results,” said the organisers.

Award structure and global recognition

Winners are classified under three tiers: Gold, Silver, and “One to Watch.” Gold winners automatically qualify for the Global Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by Sabre. Silver is reserved for runners-up, while the “One to Watch” accolade identifies initiatives that show significant promise but require further development and evidence of impact.

How to participate?

Next week, those being recognised in the Southeast Asia awards will be published. Details of all five regional awards, entry forms, categories and those recognised in 2025, can be found online. The Europe Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by easyJet holidays , and the India Awards are open until 30 June. Obviously, only those who enter can be recognised, consider entering and encourage others who you think are worthy of recognition for making tourism better.

Why organisations enter

Entries come from organisations for a variety of reasons. Glynn O’Leary of Transfrontier Parks Destinations, for example, participates to benchmark their practices and acknowledge the efforts of staff and partners.

Beyond recognition, entrants benefit from third-party validation, increased credibility, and the opportunity to inspire others within their industry. For many, the awards also serve as a platform to demonstrate responsibility and transparency to local authorities, neighbouring communities, and business partners.

The Responsible Tourism Awards, long established and backed by a reputation for independence and rigour, continue to play a vital role in shaping a more responsible global travel industry.