The finalists of the prestigious 2026 ICRT Indian Subcontinent Responsible Tourism Awards have been announced, and each will be recognised for their outstanding work in Responsible Tourism. The twenty-four finalists from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka have provided clear evidence, replicability, innovation, influence and an overall commitment to responsible tourism, and the winners will be announced on Friday 4 September at the BLTM trade show in New Delhi.
The recognised Indian Subcontinent organisations will be receiving either a “one to watch”, “silver” or “gold” Responsible Tourism Award accolade in one of six categories; adapting to climate change, championing cultural diversity, diversity equity and inclusion, local economic benefit, nature positive and regenerative tourism. The 2026 finalists are:
| Agora Eco Tourism, Chattisgarh, India |
| Amba Yaalu, Kandalama , Sri Lanka |
| Ayurvie Weligama, Sri Lanka |
| Delhi By Cycle, New Delhi, India |
| Ecosphere Journeys , India |
| Explore Hub Nepal, Nepal |
| Ghasyari Homestay, India |
| Great Himalaya Trail , Nepal |
| Heritance Tea Factory, Sri Lanka |
| Jetwing Kaduruketha, Sri Lanka |
| Keshar Parvat, India |
| Kundan Spiti Stays, Hull Village, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Nepal Dynamic Eco Tours, Nepal Rainforest Eco Lodge, Sri Lanka |
| Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Kalutara, Sri Lanka |
| Scott Dunn, Sri Lanka |
| Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation, India |
| Tharu Janjati Museum & Living Heritage Landscape, Imlia Koder, India |
| The Abduz, India |
| Travel Corporation of India (TCI) – Including Sita Travels, Distant Frontiers, GoVacation India, Vilāsita, Aranya by Sita. |
| Trek the Himalayas, India |
| Tropiq Getaways LLP, India |
| Twenty 3 Stories & Endeavors Pvt Ltd, India |
| Wild Glamping Gal Oya , Sri Lanka |
The 2026 Indian Subcontient Responsible Tourism Awards judging panel was chaired by Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin, founder ICRT global and judges included ICRT India Foundation members Rupesh Kumar, Swati Parmar, Dr Aditi Choudhary, Dr Sanjib Sarangi, Kumar Anubhav, Manisha Pande and for ICRT Sri Lanka Charmarie Maelge.
Gold winners of the ICRT Indian Subcontinent Responsible Tourism Awards will automatically go onto compete for a Global Responsible Tourism Award sponsored by the Belize Tourism Board competing with gold winners from Responsible Tourism Awards run in Latin America, Africa, Europe Southeast Asia and a worldwide award for all other geographies. The Global Responsible Tourism Award winners will be announced on Monday 2 November.
Image credit: Nepal landscape by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz, Pexels
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License