2026 ICRT Europe Award Judges Citations

The 2026 Europe Responsible Tourism Awards judging panel was chaired by Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin, founder ICRT global and judges included Scott Lawson, senior ESG manager at easyJet holidays, Antonio Buscardini, founder and CEO Travel Tomorrow, Tiomóid Foley, net zero tourism manager, business development and intermediary marketing at VisitScotland, Debbie Hindle, chair of ICRT global, Sarah Habsburg-Lothringen, ICRT global special advisor and responsible hospitality and training and ICRT Balkans members Vicky Smith, founder Earth Changers and Danica Banjevic, tourism consultant

These are the detailed judges citations for the 2026 Europe Responsible Tourism Awards:

ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARD

GOLD: TUI Forest Majorca in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment of the Balearic Islands, Spain

TUI Forest Mallorca is a regenerative tourism initiative that restores and protects ecosystems in the Península de Llevant Natural Park in the Balearic Islands while creating economic, environmental and educational value for local communities and visitors. The project is implemented by the TUI Care Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment of the Balearic Islands, combining conservation expertise, public-sector collaboration and sustainable tourism engagement. The initiative addresses ecological degradation caused by repeated wildfires and land-use pressures by restoring forests, rehabilitating dune ecosystems and protecting habitats for endangered species. This is achieved by planting native fire-resistant trees and plants, maintaining existing reforested areas, installing protective enclosures and restoring coastal habitats. These interventions strengthen biodiversity, improve soil stability, enhance climate resilience and support long-term ecosystem health. The initiative connects conservation with community participation and tourism. Local residents, volunteers and students take part in restoration activities and environmental education programmes, building awareness and stewardship of natural resources. By integrating habitat restoration, biodiversity protection, community engagement and visitor experiences, this initiative demonstrates how tourism can actively contribute to environmental regeneration rather than simply minimising negative impacts.

The judges were impressed by the way in which such a diverse group of stakeholders had recognised the danger of desertification from repeated wildfires, leading to a comprehensive initiative that combines reforestation, habitat restoration, biodiversity protection, visitor education, and community engagement; conservation is not isolated from the community and tourism development but embedded within it. 1,110 people have been involved in restoration and conservation activities, students, residents and volunteers engaged in planting, habitat maintenance and awareness activities. This initiative demonstrates how conservation investments enhance visitor experiences while maintaining ecological integrity.

SILVER: Paloma Grida, Turkey

Paloma Hotels’ Paloma Grida has addressed the mitigation and adaptation approaches to climate change. Initiatives have been put in place in anticipation of sea-level rises, storms, and increasing wildfire risk, expected as a consequence of climate change. Backup generators, water storage tanks, and alternative suppliers ensure 48 hours of uninterrupted operations during electricity or water disruptions. Dunes are protected using wooden and rope barriers; access is limited to designated boardwalks, and beach equipment is kept off dune areas. Water usage is managed to reduce water stress and drought. Low-flow fixtures, automatic irrigation, and nighttime watering reduce water use by 20%, saving an additional 800 m³ annually. Total water savings reach approximately 2,000 m³ per year.  Forest fire risk mapping has been used to reduce risk with a 40% reduction in flammable plants. Emergency response plans, and 12 annual equipment checks strengthen fire preparedness. The hotel has recognised the dangers of extreme heat and addressed them by reducing indoor and outdoor temperatures during heatwaves using light-colored buildings, green roofs, sunshades, shaded areas, and water stations. Guest heat-stress protocols are in place, and staff schedules and breaks are adjusted during periods of high heat. Heat alerts reach 60,000 guests annually, and shaded/cooling areas cover 15% of the property. Guest surveys indicate over 92% positive feedback for these measures. The judges were impressed by the management’s holistic approach to addressing climate change through mitigation and adaptation with highly replicable interventions.

CHAMPIONING CULTURAL DIVERSITY RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARD

GOLD: CAS Trips , Czech Republic

You only have to take the briefest look at CAS Trips’ website to realise that this is a very different travel company offering school trips abroad with its commitment to ”educate, challenge, inspire; global citizens, building a sustainable future”.  Inspired by International Baccalaureate (IB) pedagogy, CAS Trips uses the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) to identify the key issues affecting the destinations it visits, cultivating links with grassroots organisations tackling these issues locally, and work with them to create activities that immerse students in local culture and actively challenge them in the categories of creativity, activity and service. The school trip is used to help children achieve their IB learning outcomes and CAS Trips offers 43 destinations across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. CAS Trips has placed its methodology online, facilitating replication.

The CAS Trips’ community-led service (CLS) programme is delivered in ten destinations in two phases: ”Before travelling, students complete a four-part pre-trip curriculum. This includes guided research into the destination’s cultural, historical, and social context, as well as facilitated discussions within their school groups. A key component of this preparation is a live video call with representatives from the host community or local partner organisation. This interaction allows students to begin building a human connection before arrival and to better understand the context they will be entering. As part of this preparation, students are also asked to bring a “cultural memento” from their own lives. This can take the form of an object, story, or representation of their culture, and is used to encourage a more reciprocal exchange rather than a one-directional experience.” On arrival, students participate in a facilitated needs analysis workshop led by local NGO partners with long-term relationships in the community. They work with the community to design a response. The CLS programme creates a learning environment where students engage with cultural diversity in a direct and respectful way, while ensuring that community voices remain central to the experience.

The judges were very impressed by this alternative approach and the way it ensures that the needs and aspirations of the local community are prioritised over those of the students, and provides the students with a deep experience of the other. We hope that this approach will inspire others.

SILVER: TUI Colourful Cultures Croatia, in partnership with the Croatia civil society organisation DEŠA 

By connecting artisans with visitors through interactive cultural experiences, retail opportunities and public events, this project ensures tourism revenue flows back into the local community. Activities include pop-up arts-and-crafts events, hands-on workshops, festivals, and exhibitions that allow visitors to engage directly with local traditions. These experiences are hosted in historic venues such as the Lazareti complex and in partner hotels, creating meaningful encounters between tourists and residents. Artisans also receive training in digital marketing and business skills to strengthen their visibility and sales opportunities. The art and craft is sold through a dedicated social enterprise shop operated by DEŠA, ensuring fair income for participants and long-term sustainability beyond individual events. By combining cultural preservation, skills development and tourism engagement, the project promotes respectful cultural exchange, builds local pride and confidence, and demonstrates how tourism can actively support cultural diversity while generating inclusive economic benefits. 351 people have received training and support, 179 cultural events have been organised or supported, and 62 tourism experiences have been created. Local artists and craft workers have benefited, the initiative has helped transform cultural heritage into a sustainable livelihood pathway, and the tourist experience has been enriched.

ONE TO WATCH:  Kameni Otok, Croatia

Launched in 2024, Journey Through Stone has gradually developed within an active stonemason’s workshop on the island of Brač into a small but measurable example of cultural exchange centred on Brač stone. This is a white limestone is famous for its luminosity and has been used in architecture and sculpture since Roman times. Self-funded, some 250 visitors have taken part in workshops and demonstrations, including around 70 children through educational activities with local schools and families. The judges were impressed by Željka Frančeski’s achievement as Founder & Master Stonemason, creator and guide.  There has been interest from travel agencies and tour operators, and the judges hope to see a further application as visitor numbers and value increase over the next few years.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION RESPONSIBLE TOURSM AWARD

GOLD:  Unseen Tours, UK

Unseen Tours is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. Through public storytelling, they showcase diversity, equity, and inclusion for London’s heritage and current culture to truly reflect the diversity of its people. Unseen Tours achieves this by training and employing people with experience of homelessness as walking tour guides, empowering them to share their knowledge, creativity, passions, and lived experience with domestic and international audiences. Founded in 2010, Unseen Tours has won many awards, including a Responsible Tourism Award in 2011.  The judges wanted to recognise the scale of Unseen Tours’ achievement over the fifteen years; guides receive 60% of the value of every ticket sold and are paid the London Living Wage for rehearsals, training, and development sessions. Economically, guides have generated nearly £400,000 since 2010 through tour delivery. Unseen Tours has strengthened the wider social‑enterprise ecosystem for example by contributing to education and sector development through tour sessions for University College London (UCL). It teaches students about social enterprises; why they are created, how they operate, and how lived experience drives innovation. These sessions help future leaders understand the structural injustices that lead to homelessness and the importance of designing solutions for affected communities.

As pointed out in the application: “Unseen Tours stands apart because it uses tourism as a platform for social change, placing people with lived experience of homelessness at the centre of London’s storytelling. While many organisations support people facing homelessness, very few position them as cultural leaders and educators. Our approach reframes traditional tourism into a tool for social change, in London and globally.” The model is highly replicable.

SILVER:  Cyprus Environment Foundation, Cyprus

The Cyprus Environment Foundation recognised the decline of farming in Cyprus and the increasing dominance of conventional agricultural practices, characterised by monocultures, soil degradation, and heavy pesticide use, and noted that farming has remained largely disconnected from local sustainable food systems. The organisation has worked with hotels and tourism businesses to integrate locally produced, regeneratively grown food into their supply chains, creating a direct market for farmers while reducing reliance on imported goods. To further strengthen market access, it organises and facilitates local bazaars in touristic areas, where regenerative farmers can sell their products directly to visitors. This not only increases producers’ income but also raises tourists’ awareness of regenerative agriculture on the island and its role in restoring ecosystems.

With support from the TUI Care Foundation, the Cyprus Environment Foundation supports farmers, new entrants to agriculture and vulnerable community members, including people with disabilities, through training, capacity building and market integration linked to the tourism sector. The initiative is supported with scholarships. The programme provides structured training in regenerative farming methods, including soil restoration, biodiversity-friendly cultivation, and climate-resilient practices. Participants learn how to improve soil health, reduce environmental impact and adopt sustainable production techniques that protect natural resources while maintaining productivity. 130 people, 51 of them women and 30 people with disabilities and 12 individuals from low-income and unemployed backgrounds have been trained in sustainable or regenerative farming practices at a centre established for the project, which serves as a hub for practical learning, knowledge exchange, and the demonstration of regenerative techniques. The programme is also developing and testing a sustainably produced tourist offer for over 2500 hotel guests, for example, traditional cooking workshops using locally sourced ingredients from partner farms employing regenerative agriculture processes.

LOCAL ECONOMIC BENEFIT RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARD

GOLD:Addiopizzo Travel, Italy

https://addiopizzo.org/en/

Addiopizzo Travel is a social enterprise and ethical tour operator that designs and delivers mafia-free travel experiences in Sicily, working exclusively with a vetted network of local, small to medium enterprises (SMMEs)which refuse to pay the “pizzo”, protection money imposed by the Mafia. The project was born in 2009 as a spin-off of the anti-mafia association Addiopizzo, founded in 2004 in Palermo, to pioneer ethical consumerism and local purchasing practices in response to organised crime. Through its tours,  Addiopizzo Travel connects travellers with a network of hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, farms, transport providers and guides who have taken a public stand against the Mafia, including businesses operating in properties confiscated from Mafia organisations. It develops: “itineraries that actively direct tourism spending towards these local enterprises, minimising economic leakage and ensuring that tourism revenue supports the local economy while contributing to fair and transparent business practices. In this way, tourism becomes a strategic mechanism for economic redistribution and social change.”  Addiopizza Travel has also developed MuST23, an immersive museum in Capaci that uses virtual reality to explore the history of the anti-mafia movement. The model has also begun to be applied beyond Sicily, with initial experiences in other regions such as Campania (Naples) where the same rigorous local procurement standards are applied.

The judges were impressed by the way Addiopizzo Travel has promoted a shift from individual resistance to collective action, demonstrating that legality can drive economic development. This included public awareness campaigns, the creation of a network of responsible consumers, and a verified list of businesses that refuse to pay extortion. Through carefully designed itineraries and encounters with local entrepreneurs, activists and organisations, it provides visitors with a deeper understanding of the territory while actively encouraging visitors to purchase locally produced crafts and services. Since 2009, Addiopizzo Travel has generated a total turnover of €9.84 million; ±70% of this revenue is consistently redistributed to local SMMEs and sole traders within the ethical “pizzo-free” network. This means that more than €6.8 million has been directly channelled into the local economy through tourism activities, including €993,737 in 2025 alone. The judges think that a similar approach based on a vetted network of SMMEscould assist in increasing the local economic benefits of tourism by maximising local procurement by tourism businesses and tourists alike.

ONE TO WATCH:  Visit Gdańsk, Poland

Gdańsk suffers from strong seasonality – tourism demand and visitor spending are concentrated in the summer months. In 2025Visit Gdańsk marketed the city as an attractive autumn destination targeting domestic visitors from five major Polish cities with good transport connections to Gdańsk. It actively promoted locally owned businesses and services, encouraging visitors to spend within the local economy. A free downloadable e-book, which included curated itineraries, walking routes and recommendations of local restaurants, attractions and services, encourages visitors to avoid overcrowded areas and explore quieter areas, and engage with local culture, gastronomy and community-led experiences. 26,000 copies were downloaded.  This campaign resulted in an increase of between 5% and 9% in domestic tourism numbers and accommodation occupancy. The judges hope to see a further application in two or three years when the campaign will likely result in larger numbers of autumn visitors.

ONE TO WATCH:  Zagreb County Tourist Board, Croatia and Slovenia

InterWine is a cross-border tourism initiative (EU project) connecting Zagreb County (Croatia) and Brežice (Slovenia) to develop a joint destination based on wine, gastronomy and cultural heritage. Funded through the Interreg VI-A Slovenia–Croatia programme and led by the Zagreb County Tourist Board the initiative runs from 2024 to 2027. By connecting winemakers, family farms, hospitality providers and cultural institutions into a single integrated tourism offer, the project transforms fragmented local assets into a cohesive, market-ready destination seeking to maximise retained local economic benefit. The judges were interested see this cross-border collaboration and the creation of a new joint destination model. This model when proven should be highly replicable.

NATURE POSITIVE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS

GOLD: Club Marvy, Turkey

Club Marvy is a coastal resort operated by Paloma Hotels, delivering a tourism model built on a nature positive approach. The project integrates hospitality operations with ecosystem restoration, aiming not only to reduce environmental impact but to generate measurable net-positive outcomes for nature. The resort operates across 180,000 m² of natural landscape and two bays, all activities are designed to protect, restore, and enhance biodiversity, water systems, and ecological balance. This includes native landscaping with more than 130 local plant species, managing 17 invasive species without chemicals, and active protection of terrestrial and marine habitats such as seagrass meadows, pollinators, and endangered species like the Mediterranean monk seal. Initiatives include biodiversity monitoring, habitat creation (birdhouses and insect hotels), marine conservation practices, and large-scale reforestation support. These efforts are supported by continuous staff training, guest engagement programs, and partnerships with environmental NGOs. Ten bird houses, a network of 60 bug hotels supporting pollinators and insect populations, the conservation of sea grass, light and noise pollution reductions, wastewater recycling and a desalination system with 168,000 m³ annual capacity, reducing dependency on local water resources and alleviating regional water stress. ±500 guests engaged in environmental awareness activities, 450 employees receiving certified environmental education each year

The judges were impressed by the variety of ways in which Club Marvey has addressed the nature positive agenda including measures to protect endangered species like the Mediterranean monk seal, including thermal monitoring, noise reduction through fully electric water sports equipment, and adaptive lighting practices.

ONE TO WATCH:  Mallorca SUP Company, Spain

The Mallorca SUP Company embraces all aspects of paddleboarding, offering lessons, guided experiences, equipment rental, and board repairs AND create experiences designed to connect people with the sea in a deeper, more conscious “Blue Mind” way. Through small, carefully guided sessions, guests are given the opportunity to experience the Bay of Pollensa with zero environmental impact and engage and connect with the natural world around them. Guests learn about the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem, including the vital role of Mediterranean seagrass (Posidonia), and witness firsthand the richness of local wildlife — from stingrays and dolphins to diverse fish and coastal fauna. In her application Hannah Louise Lopez wrote: “Since founding The Mallorca SUP Company in 2019, I have built a business that not only offers a zero-impact way to experience the sea but actively changes how people engage with it.”

The judges were impressed by what has been achieved by Mallorca SUP in creating a neat zero impact business determined through the planned “Oceans Connected – Winter Summit”initiative: “a community-led and community-driven gathering that brings together people, ideas, and creativity around the shared theme of connection to the ocean.” We hope to hear more of it.

REGENERATIVE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARD

GOLD:   TUI Field to Fork Greece in partnership with  Futouris and the Sustainable Food Destination Organisation  (SFDO), Greece

As part of the global TUI Field to Fork programme, this initiative demonstrates how tourism can actively contribute to regenerative food systems, benefiting farmers, businesses, ecosystems and travellers alike. The project is implemented in partnership with Futouris and the Sustainable Food Destination Organisation (SFDO), combining tourism expertise, agricultural knowledge and locastakeholder networks. Together, they create a collaborative ecosystem in which tourism supports environmental restoration, strengthens local supply chains and promotes inclusive economic development in the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes to create climate-friendly food systems and stronger rural economies. Through structured training and practical guidance, participants learn techniques such as soil regeneration, diversified cropping and climate-resilient farming

This enables them to improve productivity while protecting natural resources and strengthening long-term environmental sustainability. Producers are connected with food production units, hotels and a local retail chain so that sustainably produced ingredients can be incorporated into hospitality supply chains, create reliable market access, improve income opportunities for farmers and increase the availability of regenerative food products for both visitors and local consumers. 627 people, including 150 women, from farming and tourism backgrounds have been trained in regenerative agriculture techniques (including climate protection aspects) as well as in sustainable food supply chains through structured workshops, mentoring and practical learning sessions. More than 3,500 people have participated in rural tourism experiences connected to regenerative agriculture, such as tastings, cooking classes and farm-based activities and ±250,000 euros worth of regenerative agriculture products have been sold to the tourism sector.

SILVER: Camp Ilijin Vir, Montenegro

Camp Ilijin Vir is a small, family-run eco-tourism campsite located within the protected Zeta River Nature Park in Montenegro. The camp provides nature-based accommodation for campers and travellers seeking low-impact tourism experiences in a sensitive natural environment. The camp integrates environmental management practices into its operations, including responsible water use, energy efficiency measures, waste separation, and limitations on light and noise pollution. These practices aim to protect the river ecosystem while maintaining a viable livelihood for the family and contributing to the local visitor economy. It focuses on restoring and improving its natural systems, reducing resource consumption, supporting local livelihoods, and strengthening the relationship between visitors, the local community, and the natural environment. Through this approach, Camp Ilijin Vir functions not only as a place to stay, but as a practical example of how small tourism businesses can contribute to environmental regeneration and long-term resilience of protected areas. The work began with a critical assessment of how tourism activities were affecting the Zeta River ecosystem and the surrounding protected landscape. Rather than focusing only on reducing harm, the camp committed to interventions that would improve ecological conditions and contribute positively to the regeneration of natural and social systems. Educational materials and direct communication with guests were developed to explain the ecological value of the Zeta River, the fragility of the ecosystem, and how visitor behaviour can either degrade or support regeneration. Guests are encouraged to understand themselves as temporary stewards of the landscape, not passive consumers of nature. As Camp Ilijin Vir explained in its application “We wanted to demonstrate that regeneration can begin at a micro-scale, driven by values rather than compliance. By taking responsibility ourselves, we aimed to show that family-run tourism enterprises can play an active role in ecological regeneration, community resilience, and the protection of natural heritage.”

SILVER: Haltia Lake Lodge, Finland

Haltia Lake Lodge is a nature-based boutique hotel operating next to Nuuksio National Park in southern Finland. It seeks to demonstrate, in practice, how tourism can operate in close proximity to sensitive ecosystems while taking responsibility for nature and contributing to nature-positive outcomes. Designed to represent an alternative to volume-driven tourism models Haltia Lake Lodge was intentionally designed as a low-volume, high-quality hospitality concept. The judges were particularly impressed by the lodge’s  planet-positive conservation holiday (luonnonhoitoloma) – a fully developed tourism product through which guests actively participate in professionally guided nature management and restoration work in Nuuksio National Park. In this model, tourism is directly linked to biodiversity conservation. Travellers contribute labour to restoration tasks defined and supervised by Parks & Wildlife Finland, while Haltia Lake Lodge provides accommodation, logistics, and recruitment. From the outset, Haltia Lake Lodge had regenerative aspirations to change the way nature-based tourism operates and the experiences it offers. It was developed with the intention of creating a practical, real-world example of how nature-based tourism can move beyond harm reduction and actively contribute to ecosystem restoration. Enjoy this regenerative journey in a series of short videos.

Gold winners from the ICRT Europe Responsible Tourism Awards go onto contend for a 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Award, sponsored by the Belize Tourism Board.