A regenerative farming trail through Bali, accessible cultural audio guides for the Philippines and a youth-driven social enterprise reducing waste in Malaysia are among the inspiring winners of the 2025 ICRT Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Awards.
The awards were presented on 18 June at the International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH) in the Philippines today. ICRTH is organised by Sarawak Research Society and Responsible Borneo with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak.
Each winning organisation was recognised with either a silver, a gold or a “one to watch” award. Often there is a fine line between Gold and Silver winners. The “ones-to-watch” accolade indicates that the judges are excited by the entry, but the projects are either very new or not yet proven to be sustainable, In these instances the judges would like to see a future submission with evidence of impact and influence. The criteria the judges apply are available here.
All Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Award Gold winners now automatically go onto contend for a 2025 Global Responsible Tourism Award sponsored by Sabre and will compete on a world stage against winners from Latin America, Africa, Europe and the Indian Subcontinent.
The 2025 ICRT Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Award winner citations are:
NATURE POSITIVE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARD
The tourism sector has a responsibility to contribute to the reversal of biodiversity loss and to protect nature for future generations by promoting a regenerative approach to tourism. We are looking for businesses that act as guardians of biodiversity and take a regenerative approach to their operations. The judges awarded two Golds in this category for fundamentally different approaches, one focused on wildlife and the other on agriculture and landscape.
Gold: Astungkara Way, Indonesia, www.astungkaraway.com
Regenerative travel is a rare phenomenon; the judges were impressed by this approach, which combines the regeneration of the environment with an opportunity to regenerate the soul through pilgrimage. Astungkara Way is a regenerative travel and farming initiative based in Bali. Its trail extends 135 km across Bali, a pilgrimage route dedicated to regenerative agriculture and regenerative travel. The trail connects guests with 14 local partner families. Travellers are invited to slow down, walk through rice paddies and forests, stay with farming families, and take part in hands-on farm-to-table experiences. The Trail connects communities working to regenerate their land, traditions, and sense of purpose. The regenerative rice cultivation method found along the trail reintroduces ducks, azolla, and vegetables into the rice paddy system. Launched in 2021, 880 pilgrims have walked the trail. The Astungkara Way has employed 21 Indonesian youth full-time, many of whom have become national voices in regenerative food systems and eco-tourism.
Gold: Cardamom Tented Camp, Cambodia, www.cardamomtentedcamp.com
‘Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing’. Cardamom Tented Camp was created in 2017 to give operational profits to forest rangers to protect 18,000 hectares (180 km2) of surrounding lowland forest habitat in Botum Sakor National Park in southwestern Cambodia. Its business model enables the fight against illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, land grabbing and river sandbank dredging. Working with the Wildlife Alliance, the financial model of the 12-unit tented camp funds forest patrols by 18 full-time rangers who keep the forest standing. In 2024, they disrupted illegal activities, removed 1,174 snares: 10 illegal camps were destroyed; 38 axes, 20 chainsaws, three motorbikes, three machetes, and two homemade guns were confiscated, 201 metres of bird nets and 196 metres of turtle nets were removed, five offenders were arrested, and three court cases were submitted. The rangers secured the release of turtles, tortoises, snakes, a pangolin, a monitor lizard and an otter.
“Eight years after opening, negative impacts by loggers, poachers, riverbank sand dredgers, and land-grabbers, while still an active threat, are now markedly reduced. Guest sightings of wildlife and their footprints are increasing significantly. Camera traps, forest rangers and guests, have, between them, recorded an increased presence of elephant, wild pig, sambar, Clouded leopard, red muntjac, pangolin, turtles, otter, macaque, sun bear, slow loris, dhole, civet, green peafowl, Siamese crocodile, greater and wreathed hornbills, egret, porcupine and hog badger.”
One to Watch: Local wisdom of Tulungrejo tourist village, Batu City, East Java, Indonesia
Tulungrejo offers a variety of natural and educational tours: apple and strawberry picking tours, trekking to the hill of love, and exploring the rice fields while learning organic farming with the residents. Their tour packages are designed not only to enjoy the scenery, but also to experience firsthand the village life and its values. The judges hope to see a further application from this village demonstrating its high level of cooperation and the positive impact on nature.
One to Watch: Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Malaysia, www.bsbcc.org.my/visit-us
The judges recognised the valuable work of the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the contribution of tourism to its work, over 600,000 visitors since 2014 and awareness raising in schools. The rescue of 13 sun bears and their release into the wild is to be applauded. The judges would like to see a further application with more evidence of the contribution of tourism to the centre’s achievements.
PEACE, UNDERSTANDING & INCLUSION RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARD
Tourism has the power to bridge divides, foster cultural understanding, and create opportunities for peace and inclusion. The Award for Peace, Understanding & Inclusion recognises outstanding initiatives that use tourism as a force for good—promoting cross-cultural exchange, providing economic alternatives in conflict-affected regions, and making travel more inclusive for all.
Gold: Anthro on Foot Audio Walking Tours, the Philippines
www.anthroonfoot.comhttps://izi.travel/en/9373-anthro-foot-c/en
Anthro on Foot Audio Walking Tours offers self-paced audio walking tours around the Philippines, including places that have been victims of misrepresentation due to war, civil anarchy, and generational poverty. Each tour comes with a free comprehensive introduction to the precolonial, colonial, and modern history of the place. Anthro on Foot aims to break social barriers to travel, education, and to provide access to quality heritage commentaries at a very low cost. Since 2018, Raizel Pauline Albano has published 61 tours covering all 17 regions in the Philippines. Anthrofoot seeks to give a voice to “communities that choose to courageously withstand the onslaught of climate change, natural risks, civil anarchy, and social discrimination to protect their ancestral homes and communities. … and to address the discriminatory regionalism that we have seen for the last few hundred years, which continues to divide the nation, leading to misrepresentation and the inadequate provision of social services to certain communities.” The judges were very impressed by this approach to creating understanding and building solidarity and by its success. Since January 2024, there have been 12,000 downloads, not just for popular tourist destinations, but also for destinations that have never been promoted for tourism, such as Calbayog and the Islamic City of Marawi.
One to Watch: HỒI ỨC Project Conserving and Promoting Vietnamese Folk Games, Vietnam
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095285685390
The judges were very interested to see this initiative from a 16-year-old seeking to preserve and disseminate Vietnam’s rich heritage of traditional games. The founder, Nguyen Ha Phuong, writes “… I passionately establish the … the project to ensure the spread of Vietnamese folk games to both domestic and international individuals before they risk fading from collective memory. … I desire to preserve Vietnamese culture and promote connection as well as understanding between generations, between people of different countries, through cultural understanding.” This project was founded in November 2023 and the judges hope to see a further application when the initiative is more firmly established.
MANAGING WASTE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS
This award recognises businesses, destinations, and initiatives that have implemented effective waste management strategies, demonstrating a commitment to minimising waste, eliminating single-use plastics, and repurposing materials in ways that benefit the environment and local communities. Winners in this category will have proven, scalable solutions that reduce tourism’s environmental footprint and create economic or social value from waste. There were many strong entries in this category, a very innovative and replicable Gold winner, three Silvers and two Ones to Watch.
Gold: WormingUp™ Malaysia, www.wormingup.com
WormingUp is a youth-driven, ISO 14001-certified social enterprise based in Sarawak. Established in 2015 it manages organic waste in partnership with city councils, hotels, F&B outlets, industrial sites, educational institutions, and shopping malls. The judges recognised the innovative and highly replicable approach using the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) organic waste treatment, transforming food waste into high-value products such as natural fertiliser and insect protein for animal feed—diverting waste from landfills while closing the nutrient loop.
Plastic waste is upcycled into keychains, coasters, and earrings using a locally made shredder, injector, and compressor. Textile waste is transformed by women’s groups into tote bags, pencil cases, caps, and vests, while used cooking oil is repurposed into handmade soap. Through a Food Forest Initiative, food waste is composted to support zero-waste farming among homestay communities—completing the waste-to-table cycle. WormingUp also provide sales platforms such as retail booths and pop-ups to market these eco-products, fostering circular tourism and enhancing local livelihoods. The judges recognise the value of the work that WormingUp is doing to engage a wide range of businesses and organisations in improving waste management.
Silver: Six Senses Samui Thailand, www.sixsenses.com/samui
At Six Senses Samui in Thailand waste is disposed of using composting, microorganism fermentation, black soldier fly larvae processing, livestock feed, and wood shift charcoal, reducing the need for external disposal and providing for the Samui community, contributing to a healthy nutrient cycle at their Farm on the Hill. The farm is also an educational space, offering hands-on learning for hosts, guests, and local students, with workshops on composting, seed saving, and natural farming methods. The resort has successfully removed single-use plastics from guest rooms and front-of-house operations. Waste wood from resort maintenance was transformed to charcoal; old fabrics were upcycled to make tote bags, minibar glass jars became containers for homemade aroma candles; leftover candle wax, egg cartons, and cardboard are reused in guest DIY activities. Between January 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, Six Senses Samui’s composting program achieved a carbon emission reduction of 49,054 kgCO2eq, officially certified under the Low Emission Support Scheme by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation.
Silver: Sivatel Bangkok Hotel: Zero Waste To Landfill Hotel, www.sivatelbangkok.com
Sivatel won the Global Award for creating shared value in 2024, in part for their “From Kitchen to Chicken” closed-loop system. This year, the judges wanted to recognise Sivatel’s achievement in diverting 4,717 kilograms of recyclables collected through an in-house “Golden Waste Bank” from landfill, repurposing 1,323 kilograms of used cooking oil for clean energy production, and the recognition that there is still much to do as 60% of their waste is still general waste. We hope that there will be a further application when this has been substantially reduced.
Silver: Waterbom Bali’s Karmic Returns Sustainability Programme, Indonesia, www.waterbom-bali.com Waterbom Bali is a 5.1-hectare tropical waterpark located in Kuta, Bali. It has diverted 95% of waste from landfill, composs 97% of organic waste on site, eliminated single-use plastic, relies entirely on renewable energy and achieved a 14% reduction in water use since 2019. Water from the Lazy River and attraction pools is continuously recirculated using chemical-based disinfection and sand filter media for filtration, significantly reducing the need for freshwater replenishment. The on-site sewage treatment plant uses extended aeration to treat wastewater, which is then reused, meeting 23% of irrigation needs.
One to Watch: Hope in a Bottle, Sarawak, Malaysia, https://www.theraneeofsarawak.com/community-projects
Hope in a Bottle has two retail outlets in Kuching: at The Ranee Boutique Suites and The Marian Boutique Lodging House. It sells curated collections of handmade community arts and crafts for travellers, tourists and locals alike by upcycling waste glass, providing waste to crafters to turn into products. It has made waste management a creative endeavour. The judges would like to see a further application with information about volumes and revenues.
One to Watch Nikoi and Cempedak, Indonesia, www.Nikoi.com & www.cempedak.com
Nikoi and Cempedak are private islands located in the South China Sea, predominantly covered in virgin rainforest, and the surrounding coral reefs are abundant with marine life. A lot of work is done to sort waste and reduce the amount going to landfill. Food waste is composted using concrete ring-shaped structures to facilitate Black Soldier Fly activity and used for market gardening. The judges would like to see a further entry with data on the amount of waste saved from landfill and the delivery from the closed-loop composting system.
CLIMATE ADAPTATION & RESILIENCE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS
This award recognises businesses, destinations, and initiatives that are taking proactive, innovative, and scalable steps to both reduce their carbon footprint and protect tourism infrastructure, communities, and ecosystems from climate-related risks. The judges were looking for practices that have demonstrated measurable progress in decarbonising tourism operations and/or developing adaptive solutions that safeguard tourism’s future.
Gold: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam
https://www.sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/asia-the-pacific/vietnam/ninh-van-bay/
The judges were very impressed by the range of initiatives being taken across the sustainability agenda, including building Vietnam’s first in-resort solar farm, the Crystal Water Plant, to provide potable water and grey water treatment for irrigation. “Metrics include electricity, water, waste, greywater reuse, guest participation, and food sourcing rates.” Six Senses Ninh Van Bay reports that it already meets 26–28% of the resort’s energy needs and saves ~USD 80,000/year and around 530 tons CO2e avoided annually, based on Vietnam’s average grid emissions factor (0.623 kg CO2/kWh).
One to Watch: Springhill Farm and Sustainable Market, www.springhill.orcaaisolutions.com
The judges were excited to see this very innovative circular‑economy food hub that grows, sources, and delivers organic‑based wholefoods while actively repairing local ecosystems. From solar‑powered aquaponics to carbon‑sequestering biochar, every process is designed to nourish people and planet in a single, low-carbon closed‑loop system. Entirely solar-powered and with on‑site pyrolysis which converts tree prunings into biochar that locks carbon into our soils for centuries. Established in 2023, 5 tons CO₂e has beenavoided through regenerative farm design, composting, and solar energy and ~0.58 tons CO2e through customer produce sales on the digital marketplace. The judges hope to see a further application when the operation has grown.
One to Watch: Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), www.sarawaktourism.com
Organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board, RWMF spans three days and features a diverse lineup of performances by both renowned international artists and indigenous musicians from Borneo. It provides low-carbon transport options, waste management and cooking oil is repurposed into biodiesel, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a circular economy. The judges would like to see a further application when more progress has been made in reducing emissions
INCREASING LOCAL SOURCING RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS
Far too often, tourism money does not recirculate in the local economy or provide any benefit to the local people or environment. Tourism businesses can grow the local economy by spending on local goods and services and procuring services and products locally. We are looking for businesses that have local purchasing practices in place and are actively working to create and promote local businesses and sole traders through their own supply chain and encouraging visitors to buy locally produced crafts and souvenirs.
Silver: Maesa Hotel, Ponorogo District, East Java, Indonesia, www.maesahotel.com
The Maesa Hotel’s strategic goal is to raise local economies by enabling village-owned businesses to find, use, and grow their own economic possibilities. It provides customised training courses and practical support to develop the necessary skills in business planning, branding. financial management, marketing, and innovation. It demonstrates that the private sector can promote grassroots economic change by using the hotel as a role model in combining corporate success with corporate social responsibility. This strategy allows sole traders and small and medium businesses (SMMEs) to directly benefit from tourist activities, enhance local livelihoods and strengthen resilience against economic shocks.
Over 50 village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) have successfully started or increased economic activities directly supporting the tourism supply chain as a result of this capacity-building initiative. These include community-based tourism attractions, tour guide services, traditional textile manufacture, handicrafts, packaged food goods, local catering, and village culinary services. These new companies are starting to provide genuine, locally made products and experiences that attract both domestic and foreign tourists, enriching the local community and the tourism experience. By shifting operating expenditure to local businesses, the Maesa Hotel helps not only to reduce economic leakage but also to inject new income directly into rural areas. There are three interconnected pillars (1) capacity building, (2) local sourcing and supply chain integration, and (3) visitor engagement and marketing of locally produced goods and culture experiences. Roughly 30% of the hotel’s food and supply of goods now originates from village suppliers, and it estimates that this has benefitted 3,000 people. The judges were impressed by both the commitment and the delivery. Clearly, there is much more to be done, and the approach needs to be copied and applied elsewhere.
Silver: Six Senses Krabey Island, Cambodia
www.sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/asia-the-pacific/cambodia/krabey-island/sustainability/
The resort conducted a food mile audit to assess how much of their vegetables, fruit, and beverages are produced locally, focusing on these categories because they are the most frequently consumed. It then started replacing imported products with locally available alternatives whenever possible and then engaged with suppliers to explore ways to improve packaging, product quality, and other aspects of the supply chain. For packaging, Six Senses Krabey Island aims to increase circularity by using reusable containers and avoiding single-use plastics or unnecessary materials that create waste. It also works to increase demand for local products and services by creating more opportunities for their use, for example, by providing locally made Cambodian products as welcome gifts, turndown gifts, and in-room amenities. When designing food and beverage menus, the resort works with locally available ingredients. In 2023, it reached 59% local sourcing, is on track to achieve 70% in 2024—an 11% increase in just one year.
It has enhanced the guest experiences by encouraging them to engage directly with the local community. Instead of providing all items from the resort shop, they now guide guests to purchase from local markets or village sellers. This not only supports local livelihoods but also creates authentic cultural experiences for their guests. In addition, the resort boutique features handcrafted products made by local artisans and community groups. The food mile audit, enhancing the guest experience and creating a responsible supply chain, has benefited the hotel and the local community.
One to Watch: Eco Ponies Garden Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Eco Ponies Garden uses the Work Away website to attract guests who support the local community to develop their businesses, promoting community-made products and empowering youth through entrepreneurship. The judges were keen to see how this initiative develops over the next few years and hope to see it again with more evidence of impact.
One to Watch: Sai Duan Community Enterprise Vietnam
https://www.facebook.com/groups/481919667192155/
Founded in 2019 the herbal bath service is partly supported with financial contributions by a local NGO, CIRUM, for buying and technically rebuilding traditional houses, building small herbal bath rooms and kitchens, and the equipment necessary to run the enterprise. From the beginning, almost the entire village has contributed their labour and local materials to rebuild traditional houses. In 2024, the community received 41 groups with roughly 280 visitors and an income of VND 230 million (USD 9,000). The judges were very interested in this model and hope to see a further application with more evidence of impact.
One to Watch Tà Lài Eco Lodge, Tà Lài Community-Based Tourism Cooperative, Vietnam
https://www.facebook.com/tuyen.ka.374
Founded by Ká Tuyềnin March 2024, Tà Lài Eco Lodge describes itself as a “movement of pride, resilience, and hope.” Committed to cultural conservation, community empowerment, environmental protection and local sourcing.
One to Watch: Tuson Chong, GardenCraft Co. & Earthen Infusion, Sarawak
www.instagram.com/gardencraftco/www.instagram.com/eartheninfusion/
The judges were interested to see the way that the artist Tuson Chong has, through projects like Naked, The Raw Clay of Sarawak (2022) and Earthen Infusion (2024), created spaces where people can engage with the culture behind the crafts, turning cultural preservation into hands-on experiences. Visitors do not just view crafts, they make them. The judges noted that Naked, was recognised under UNESCO’s Creative City of Gastronomy umbrella, and would like to see a further application with more detail on the scale of public and community engagement.
ALL INCLUSIVES RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS
All-inclusive holidays and resorts are widely criticised, but other all-inclusive travel experiences are not. There are all-inclusive safaris in Africa, many in national parks, yacht charters in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Americas, and all-inclusive cruises. There are all-inclusive holidays for the disabled and their families, too. The criticism often appears to be tinged with disdain, dismissed as an inferior form of tourism denying economic opportunities to local businesses and delivering a third-best experience for those who book them, unless, of course, it is a luxury all-inclusive. They remain popular, a Disneyland Resort offers “a dream trip … that fits your family’s preferences and budget.” With mounting concern about the impacts of overtourism on the guest experience and on local communities, are there all-inclusives that contribute to reducing negative impacts and enhancing the positive?
The judges recognised two very different forms of all-inclusive tourism, a luxury resort and a Cultural and Ecotourism Village established by indigenous Cham farmers, both of which will be entered into the Global Awards sponsored by Sabre.
Gold: Nay Palad Hideaway, Philippines, www.naypaladhideaway.com/sustainability
Nay Palad Hideaway is a luxury eco-resort on Siargao Island, “where barefoot luxury is reimagined through deep respect for nature, culture, and community.” Each guest at Nay Palad enjoys a “fully personalised and all-inclusive” stay with “tailored activities, menus, and wellness experiences that encourage guests to slow down, reconnect with nature, and embrace a sense of presence.” A permaculture garden supplies organic herbs and vegetables for the kitchen, reducing food miles and waste. Organic waste is composted or reused; other waste is carefully sorted and recycled, or repurposed. Beyond its grounds, Nay Palad partners with local environmental groups to restore mangrove forests, protect coastal ecosystems, and support local education and healthcare initiatives.
Nay Palad’s reconstruction after Typhoon Odette in December 2021 created over 100 local jobs across construction, farming, and hospitality, critical livelihoods in the wake of the disaster. But more than temporary employment, these roles offer long-term training and skill-building, embedding resilience within the community. Nay Palad provide an inclusive immersive experience, “barefoot luxury is grounded in a deep commitment to regeneration, community, and care.” Guests are encouraged to learn about and, where possible, participate in these initiatives, fostering a sense of shared stewardship. Nay Palad provides a platform for local artisans and cultural custodians to share their knowledge, helping preserve and celebrate regional heritage.
Gold: Sen Caraih, Vietnam, www.sencaraih.comwww.facebook.com/sinhthaisen
Founded in 2017, Sen Caraih Cultural and Ecotourism Village is a grassroots, community-driven initiative founded and operated by indigenous Cham farmers in Mỹ Nghiệp Village. Underutilised lowland rice fields are transformed into vibrant lotus fields that serve as the foundation for sustainable, culturally immersive ecotourism experiences. Sen Caraih offers visitors a profound, participatory experience rooted in the daily life, traditions, and agricultural practices of the Cham people. Guests can harvest lotus flowers, join traditional fishing activities, participate in Cham culinary workshops, learn weaving techniques, listen to oral histories, and enjoy live performances of Cham folk music and dance. This dorm of Responsible Tourism has created stable livelihoods while preserving cultural heritage and promoting environmental stewardship
Recognising the limitations of conventional tourism, which “often relegated Cham communities to passive roles as showroom vendors”, Sen Caraih empowers the community, protects the environment, and revitalises living cultural traditions. All services—ranging from guiding and hospitality to craft demonstrations and performances, offering profound cultural experiences are operated by local families. This ensures that economic benefits are retained within the community, fostering financial independence, pride, and cultural vitality. Visitors live with Cham families through homestay programs, sharing daily routines and understanding indigenous lifestyles. By embedding tourism within daily life, Sen Caraih ensures that cultural engagement is authentic, respectful, and educational for both visitors and hosts. Tourism is an additional source of income for 120 community members, reducing vulnerability and increasing household incomes by 50-70%. Income sources have diversified beyond agriculture to include entrance fees, cultural experiences, handicraft sales, culinary services, and homestay accommodations, significantly enhancing economic resilience.
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SPECIAL JUDGES AWARD
The judges again this year wanted to recognise the work of an organisation which does not meet the Responsible Tourism Awards criteria but which in our view, should be recognised for the work it does.
Oplan Malasakit, https://stdominiccollege.edu.ph/
The St. Dominic College of Asia Community Extension Service offers environmental extension programs, including sustainability awareness campaigns and partnerships with global NGOs such as Camillian Disaster Service International. It combines environmental conservation with community education and engagement. Oplan Malasakit aims to protect and enhance natural attractions through contributions for healthy mangrove ecosystems and the restoration of green spaces. The framework also empowers local communities, which can promote not only education and active participation but also community-led tourism.
Picture credit Ihsan Adityawarman
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License