Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Awards is an annual award that aims to recognize tourism businesses – from small community based projects to large resorts – that are making significant contributions to sustainable tourism. By sharing best practices of sustainable tourism seen among operators in Asia, the annual awards demonstrate how responsible tourism can be an effective tourism strategy that’s good for communities, the environment and businesses.

All entries for this year’s Responsible Tourism Awards have been submitted, and the finalists will be announced by the end of June at WildAsia.org. The award categories for 2010 are; Large accommodations (more than 50 rooms), Small to Mid-Size accommodations (less than 50 rooms), and Tour Operators (new category).

>> Read Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Awards Blog
>> Read about Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Award on whl.travel blog

Responsible Tourism Awards Past Winners

Sunderbans Jungle Camp, Bali Island, India (2009 Winner)

Sunderbans Jungle Camp (SJC) was developed to support poacher-turn-conservationists with a more responsible alternative livelihood through tourism. By involving the local communities and encouraging them to conserve wildlife, SJC demonstrates that sustainable livelihood, not at the expense of the environment, is possible.

>> See all the 2009 winners and finalists

Ecosphere, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India (2008 Winner)

Ecosphere is a social enterprise that works on the sustainable development of Spiti valley (a cold desert in the Trans-Himalayas of India), by focusing on economic empowerment, conservation & development. Ecosphere works on a wide range of activities to achieve this, of which the development and promotion of responsible travel is one of the key focus areas.

>> See all the 2008 winners and finalists

Tmatboey Thoeun Krasaing Ibis Tourism Site, Preah Vihear, Cambodia (2007 Winner)

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has established a pilot ibis ecotourism project at Tmatboey in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear province, the only known site where both Giant and White-shouldered Ibises breed and can be reliably seen.

>> See all the 2007 winners and finalists

Nanga Sumpa Longhouse, Sarawak, Malaysia (2006 Winner)

The lodge is a prime example of village-based eco tourism and is home to about 30 families of the Iban tribe. This is part of Borneo Adventure’s Ulu Ai project aiming to provide beneficial and sustainable tourism to the people in the region.

>> See all the 2006 winners and finalists

Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Initiatives

Since 2006, Wild Asia has been seeking out the most inspiring leaders in Asia through our Responsible Tourism Awards, sharing the best of these practices through the Leaders in Destinations training program, and where needed, offering guidance to tourism operators across Asia.

In addition to these programs, Wild Asia’s website offers a variety of tools and resources to help you better understand responsible tourism and to learn how you can play a part in promoting sustainable tourism practices. This video by Wild Asia, “Did You Know? A Quickie on Responsible Tourism and You!” shares what tourism is doing in Asia and what you can do…