The Latin American Travel Association has announced the opening of entries for its Lata Responsible Tourism Awards, recognising excellence and innovation in sustainable tourism practices across Latin America.
- The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 24 at the Lata Expo, set to be held at the De Vere Beaumont Estate near Windsor.
- The initiative aims to highlight responsible tourism practices under categories like ‘making travel inclusive’ and ‘combating climate change’.
- The awards are open to both Lata members and non-members, with a submission deadline of May 10.
- ‘Gold’ category winners will be eligible for the Sabre Responsible Global Tourism Awards.
The Latin American Travel Association (Lata) is calling for entries to its inaugural Lata Responsible Tourism Awards, aimed at recognising innovation and excellence in responsible, ethical, and sustainable tourism practices across Latin America. The awards will be handed out during a gala dinner at the Lata Expo on June 24, to be held at the De Vere Beaumont Estate near Windsor. This initiative seeks to set a benchmark in the tourism industry, encouraging improved practices among businesses operating within the region.
Harold Goodwin, co-founder of the Responsible Tourism Partnership, is set to chair the judging panel. He commented, “There is much great practice in Latin America, which most are unaware of. I look forward to seeing this year’s entries, and, remember, the judges can only recognise and award from amongst those that apply.” The awards will be judged under six categories: ‘making travel inclusive’, ‘championing cultural diversity’, ‘nature positive’, ‘combating climate change’, ‘increasing local sourcing – creating shared value’, and ‘employing and upskilling local communities’.
Megan Parkinson, head of sustainability at Lata, expressed enthusiasm about the awards, stating, “We are delighted to be launching the Lata Responsible Tourism Awards this year. Through showcasing the travel experts who are championing ethical initiatives, we are not only recognising their fantastic work, but also providing key examples from which both Lata members and non-members can look to for reference when establishing responsible tourism practices.”
Entries are open to both Lata members and non-members with the closing date set for May 10 at 6pm. This inclusivity underscores the association’s dedication to broadening the spectrum of its participation, thereby elevating the overall standards of responsible tourism across the region.
The judging panel will also include Anne-Kathrin Zschiegner, Chris Haslam, Edgar Weggelaar, and Megan Parkinson, who bring a wealth of expertise in sustainability and tourism to the table. Gold winners will gain the opportunity to be nominated for the Sabre Responsible Global Tourism Awards, an accolade that provides a global platform for exceptional responsible tourism practices.
Finally, Lata Expo, running from June 24 to 26, will complement the awards by offering a comprehensive programme dedicated to promoting Latin American tourism within Europe. This B2B event underscores the importance of sustainability in travel, providing a residential format fully hosted at the De Vere Beaumont Estate.
The Lata Responsible Tourism Awards offer a significant opportunity to highlight and promote the region’s exemplary sustainable tourism practices.
