Europe’s 2026 Responsible Tourism Awards: Discover the Ground breaking Eco-Initiatives Redefining Travel and Transforming Communities!

The 2026 Europe Responsible Tourism Awards have officially opened for entries, with a call for businesses, destinations, and organisations to showcase their responsible and sustainable initiatives. Organised by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) and sponsored by easyJet holidays, the prestigious awards celebrate tourism initiatives that bring measurable benefits to local communities, cultures, and the environment. This year’s edition seeks to highlight the most impactful projects across six vital categories that will inspire change and encourage others in the industry to adopt more responsible practices.

For over two decades, these awards have recognised tourism businesses and organisations that have made significant strides in improving tourism practices. The awards aim to provide a platform for the most innovative and sustainable ideas in tourism, which promote positive impacts on the environment and society.

Categories in Focus: Recognising Outstanding Initiatives

The Europe Responsible Tourism Awards 2026 will focus on six key categories, each recognising specific areas of responsible tourism:

1. Local Economic Benefit
   This category will highlight initiatives that keep tourism spending within local economies, supporting small traders and artisans. Projects focusing on local procurement and helping communities benefit economically from tourism will be recognised. This category aims to celebrate businesses that create tangible positive impacts on the local economy.
2. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
   Initiatives in this category will focus on inclusive employment practices and culturally sensitive visitor experiences. The award seeks to acknowledge organisations that foster respect between hosts and guests, making tourism more accessible and inclusive for all.
3. Nature Positive
   In this category, businesses and conservation organisations that act as guardians of biodiversity will be celebrated. The award will recognise efforts to protect and preserve natural environments, highlighting tourism initiatives that contribute positively to biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
4. Championing Cultural Diversity
   Recognising destinations and enterprises that promote cultural diversity, this category seeks to acknowledge projects that strengthen connections between visitors and local communities. These initiatives foster mutual respect and understanding between tourists and the cultures they encounter.
5. Adapting to Climate Change
   Initiatives tackling climate-related challenges, such as water scarcity, fire prevention, and coastal protection, will be highlighted in this category. These awards aim to celebrate projects that demonstrate the tourism industry’s ability to adapt to the effects of climate change and mitigate its risks.
6. Regenerative Tourism
   Regenerative tourism projects are designed to restore and strengthen places and communities. This category will recognise those initiatives that contribute to the long-term resilience of both the environment and local populations, promoting regeneration rather than mere sustainability.

A Platform for Showcasing Practical Solutions

According to the organisers, participation in the Europe Responsible Tourism Awards plays a critical role in identifying the most impactful and innovative tourism initiatives. The awards aim to showcase practical examples of tourism delivering tangible, positive outcomes for communities, the environment, and the economy. The awards encourage organisations to share their stories of success, as these stories can serve as models for others in the industry.

Matt Callaghan, Chief Operating Officer at easyJet holidays, stated that the awards offer a valuable opportunity to highlight initiatives that can inspire broader industry change. Tourism has the power to generate real benefits, and these awards aim to spotlight the best examples of how the sector can make a positive difference.

Past Winners: Inspiring Change Across Europe

The 2025 edition of the Europe Responsible Tourism Awards featured a diverse range of winners, each showcasing innovative approaches to sustainable tourism. Gold winners included notable names such as Club Marvy in Türkiye, Delphina Hotels and Resorts in Sardinia, MEJDI Tours, and Naturetrek, a UK-based wildlife travel company. These winners were praised for their contributions to biodiversity protection, waste management, climate adaptation, and inclusive employment, among other areas of responsible tourism.

The 2025 awards highlighted the growing importance of the responsible tourism movement in the European tourism sector. Winners demonstrated measurable impacts in areas such as circular economy practices, climate resilience, and the protection of natural and cultural resources. These initiatives not only helped to improve the communities they served but also set examples for other organisations to follow.

Global Competition: A Step Towards Worldwide Recognition

The Europe Responsible Tourism Awards are part of a broader global competition that brings together the best responsible tourism initiatives from across the world. European winners will have the chance to compete against regional winners from Latin America, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, all vying for the coveted Global Responsible Tourism Award. This global platform provides an opportunity to showcase the positive impact of responsible tourism practices on a larger scale.

Winning at the European level not only offers recognition within Europe but also paves the way for global recognition of organisations that are making significant strides in improving tourism’s social and environmental impact. The global stage allows the best practices from each region to inspire positive change worldwide.

The Road Ahead: How to Enter

Participation in the Europe Responsible Tourism Awards is free, and businesses, destinations, and organisations are encouraged to pre-register on the ICRT Global website to access the application forms. Submissions can be uploaded up until Friday, April 3, 2026.

The winners of the European awards will be announced later in 2026, and they will compete with other regional winners for the Global Responsible Tourism Award, which will be presented in November 2026. This offers further opportunities for winners to showcase their work on the world stage, gaining recognition and inspiring others to follow their lead.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Responsible Tourism

The Europe Responsible Tourism Awards 2026 offer an exciting opportunity to showcase the best of what responsible tourism has to offer. By highlighting initiatives that bring measurable benefits to local communities, cultures, and the environment, the awards contribute to the ongoing effort to make tourism a force for good.

As the tourism industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for businesses, destinations, and organisations to step up and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices. These awards provide a platform for those leading the way and serve as an inspiration for others to follow, helping to create a brighter future for global tourism.

(Insights from Travel Tomorrow)

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