Ten tourism and hospitality professionals from Africa, Europe, India and Nepal have been announced who will take part in the first International Centre for Responsible Tourism global (ICRT global) scholarship programme developed in partnership with @ITB-Berlin the world’s leading travel trade show.
The scholarships have been awarded to representatives from tourist boards, tour operators, tour leaders, guides, and consultants who have demonstrated professional relevance, motivation and potential to impact others. Each person will receive free access to the International Centre for Responsible Tourism’s ten-week online training course including three discussions with fellow students to achieve a Professional Certificate in Responsible Tourism.
At the virtual launch of the new scholarship group on 25 August, Ryan Fuller CSR commissioner of ITB Berlin said: “We are committed to promoting social responsibility within the tourism industry and our partnership with ICRT global is part of our commitment to supporting responsible tourism projects and using education and collaboration to create new opportunities for future industry leaders. We congratulate all ten scholars and look forward to following their journey through the program.”
Debbie Hindle, chair of ICRT global said: “As a non-profit our mission is to support the changemakers of the future; to ensure tourism creates better places for people to live in and visit. We’re delighted to welcome our impressive 2026 scholarship cohort to our training programmes and I’m also pleased to confirm that our scholars will also benefit from access to supportive industry leaders. This will include including representatives from tour operator easyJet holidays, industry body The Institute of Tourism, marketing company Lemongrass Marketing, film and content specialists Mathur &Co and the responsible travel company Responsible Travel. Together we want to support the development of new thinking and ideas for committed professionals to tackle the opportunities and problems facing our industry.
The ten scholars are:
Ashenafi Gebre Shawo, Ethiopia
Ashenafi is the Director of Tourism Destination Research, Development, and Conservation in Southwest Ethiopia Culture, Tourism and Sport Bureau. Ashenafi has also worked as a Village Formation and Community Mobilization Officer and a Lion Ambassador for the Lion Conservation Program in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve. These positions all require collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and development partners to deliver change. Ashenafi intends to use the knowledge gained as an ICRT global scholar to promote Responsible Tourism as a powerful tool for conservation and local economic development.
Divanshi Gupta, India
Divanshi is motivated by meaningful tourism. From work with the Travel Operators for Tigers supporting Responsible Travel through wildlife conservation to her current role as a content writer and storyteller, Divanshi crafts narratives from deep listening to understand place, why it matters, and finding words to share it with broader audiences. As she explains, her role is to make sure these moments of learning from one another don’t disappear once tourists drive away, but nurture the stories as threads that hold it together. Divanshi’s studies with ICRT global will sharpen her storytelling, open conversations with practitioners, and contribute to the wider field.
Emil Wilson Lardner, Liberia
Emil is the founder and CEO of Eco Vista Limited, where he applies core business management skills while also collaborating with government stakeholders to promote tourism as a pathway for sustainable development. Emil was inspired to found Eco Vista Limited by the unique landscapes and traditions of his home country of Liberia, but he recognisese the lack of structure, training, and sustainable practices in the tourism sector. The knowledge Emil will gain through the ICRT global scholarship programme can support him in designing tourism initiatives that are more sustainable, community-centered, and economically beneficial.
Isatou Foon, The Gambia
Isatou Foon has a variety of industry experience: as a tourism guide, trainer, and now as the Regional Tourism Officer for the Central River Region with the Gambia Tourism Board, monitoring tourism attractions and activities in the area. Isatou’s career has developed from her desire to meaningfully contribute to community growth, empowering women and rural communities through tourism’s ability to create employment and preserve culture. Isatou will use the ICRT global Professional Certificate in Responsible Tourism to advance knowledge of global Responsible Tourism best practices in the Gambia, particularly focusing on reducing barriers women face in the tourism industry.
Nega Wedajo Werete, Ethiopia
Nega is the Deputy Commissioner at the Oromia Tourism Commission, where tourism has the power to uplift people or leave them behind. Nega collaborates with local communities, tourism operators, cultural institutions, and governments to strengthen destination management. Beyond his formal role, Nega is also building a rural tourism entrepreneurship program to strengthen local tourism ecosystems to further build bridges between industry and community, policy and practice. Nega’s ICRT global Professional Certificate in Responsible Tourism will provide further tools, frameworks, and global perspective to transform the lives of communities at the margins.
Rachida Lhouari, Morocco
Rachida Lhourari is the founder and tour designer of The Road to Morocco Tours, a business that creates culturally immersive travel experiences across the country. Rachida is committed to applying international best practices to build a business that creates longer-term value for travellers, communities, and destinations, such as supporting travellers in moving beyond traditional sightseeing. Rachida will use the knowledge gained from the ICRT global scholarship programme, as well as learning from industry experts and the international networks of professionals, to make tourism beneficial for both travelers and communities.
Sofiia Mininkova, Ukraine
Sofiia Mininkova is the Head of the Research and Partnership for Sustainable Development Department at the Lviv Tourism Office an organization responsible for tourism development and policy implementation. Sofiia works with a variety of tourism data to support evidence-based planning as well as integrating sustainability principles into tourism development and strategic planning. Sofiia intends that the ICRT global Professional Certificate in Responsible Tourism will help her to strengthen Responsible Tourism in Lviv, as well as rebuilding more ResponsibleTourism into Ukrainian destinations.
Suela Tahiraj, Albania
Suela Tahiraj is a Sustainable Tourism Coach and Auditor supporting businesses to improve their sustainability performance. Suela analyzes tourism trends to understand operational gaps and guide organizations into more responsible decisions. As tourism in Albania and the Western Balkans is growing rapidly, questions of environmental sustainability alongside opportunities for local livelihoods become key to municipalities, businesses, and destinations. Suela will use the ICRT’s global scholarship to help her bridge the gap between tourism growth and responsibility by ensuring stakeholders have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to implement sustainable choices.
Tushar Kumar, India
Tushar Kumar is a travel project manager who has organized more than 100 global travel programs across the Pacific, Europe, and South Asia regions. Tushar is interested in the impact of travel, particularly in corporate accountability and avoiding initiatives that do not create long-term economic value for a destination. Tushar will use the ICRT Professional Certificate in Responsible Tourism to learn about methods and frameworks to operationalise sustainability with measurable change.
Ujani Khadka, Nepal
Ujani Khadka is a city tour leader, explaining culture and tradition and creating meaningful connections between visitors, communities, and the stories that shape place, all the while researching the myths, legends, and narratives of the Kathmandu Valley in a master’s program. Ujani believes that stories have the power to support tourism by fostering deeper cultural understanding and respectful engagement, so she is also a part of the Tourism Toastmasters club to continue developing her skills in storytelling. The ICRT course will support Ujani in shifting her research into action so women storytellers and heritage custodians can inform community-led responsible tourism experiences.
All the scholars will complete their courses by ITB Berlin 2027, when a new scholarship programme will be announced.
The sponsors and judges of the ICRT global scholarship programme all share the belief that tourism can create positive change for communities, ecosystems and economies. Judges for 2026 included ICRT global founder Harold Goodwin, ICRT global special advisors Sarah Habsburg-Lothringen and Carol Hay, Scott Lawson, senior ESG manager easyJet holidays, Alexandra Liste senior director of client strategy and impact Lemongrass Marketing, Tinu Mathur, founder and chief creative Mathur &Co, Caroline Warburton, ICRT global board director and destination development director (central and NE) VisitScotland, and Tim Williamson, managing director Responsible Travel.
easyJet holidays is on a mission to mainstream Responsible Tourism. It does this by supporting, and partner with organisations and individuals who are making significant progress towards making sustainable holidays mainstream. It connects the scale, industry experience, and economic weight of the easyJet group to the problem-solving abilities, expertise, and research prowess of others.
The Institute of Tourism exists to strengthen the tourism sector by equipping professionals with the knowledge, networks, and leadership skills needed to respond to a rapidly changing industry. Through education, professional development, and thought leadership, the Institute is actively supporting the transition toward more responsible tourism
Lemongrass PR champions responsible tourism by promoting organisations committed to sustainability, community benefit, and ethical travel practices. It amplifies initiatives that reduce environmental impact, support local livelihoods, and encourage regenerative approaches. The agency positions responsible tourism as core to brand storytelling, sector leadership, and long‑term destination resilience.
Mathur & Co is a specialist film and content company which believes that content grounded in values has the power to positively change the world. Example work includes a three year series of films designed for staff and communities called Stories of Sustainability for Playa Hotels & Resorts’ Playa Cares programme.
Responsible Travel is the world’s first and largest responsible travel company. It promotes holidays that benefit local people and protect nature, offering thousands of carefully screened trips across 180 countries. It emphasises low‑impact, ethical travel, transparency, fair wages, and community partnerships, highlighting conservation, climate action, and its Trip for a Trip programme supporting disadvantaged children.
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