LATA Responsible Tourism Awards 2025: Celebrating Latin America’s Leaders in Sustainable Tourism

At the LATA Expo’s Sustainability Summit, the Latin American Travel Association (LATA) announced the winners of the highly anticipated LATA Responsible Tourism Awards 2025, celebrating exceptional sustainable tourism initiatives across Latin America. These awards serve as the Latin American arm of the Global Responsible Tourism Awards, with the gold winners automatically advancing to the global stage, where the global awards will be revealed in November. The awards aim to honor organizations and initiatives that demonstrate a deep commitment to sustainability in tourism, addressing key global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and community empowerment.

These prestigious awards have become a vital platform for recognizing the innovative work being done in the Latin American tourism sector. In particular, the LATA Responsible Tourism Awards focus on four key pillars of sustainability: peace, understanding, and inclusion; waste management; nature conservation; and community engagement. These categories highlight the ways in which tourism can contribute to the well-being of local communities, environmental protection, and economic growth while minimizing negative impacts.

Peace, Understanding & Inclusion

The “Peace, Understanding & Inclusion” category recognizes outstanding initiatives that use tourism as a force for good, fostering cross-cultural exchange, providing economic alternatives in conflict-affected regions, and making travel more inclusive for all. This year, the winners truly showcased the power of tourism in promoting social and cultural cohesion.

Gold – Valencia Travel Cusco: Ruqha Ayllu Project

Valencia Travel Cusco was awarded the Gold for its Ruqha Ayllu Project, an initiative that focuses on community-based experiential tourism to empower and uplift the indigenous community of Rukha Ayllu. Despite its proximity to the Inca Trail, Rukha Ayllu has long been marginalized from the benefits of tourism. The project has created sustainable income opportunities for the local people, strengthened their cultural identity, and supported social development. By giving the community the tools to use tourism as a tool for empowerment, Valencia Travel Cusco has made a significant impact in the region.

Silver – Golden Experiences & Travel (GET)

Golden Experiences & Travel (GET) was awarded Silver for recognizing the importance of social sustainability. The company has implemented various initiatives that not only focus on environmental sustainability but also on creating economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Their efforts have demonstrated a comprehensive approach to sustainability that takes into account both social and environmental factors, ensuring a holistic approach to tourism.

One to Watch – Intrepid DMC Latin America

Intrepid DMC Latin America received the “One to Watch” award for its vast experience in community-based tourism (CBT) across the region. The company has empowered its teams to make a tangible difference, supporting local communities by providing training and development opportunities. This work is funded by the Intrepid Foundation, which contributes profits, customer donations, and corporate partnerships to fund various community projects. Intrepid’s ongoing commitment to CBT makes it an organization to watch as it continues to influence positive change in the region.

Managing Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Upcycle

The “Managing Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Upcycle” category recognizes organizations and initiatives that have implemented effective waste management strategies, demonstrating a commitment to minimizing waste, eliminating single-use plastics, and repurposing materials in ways that benefit the environment and local communities.

Gold – EcoCamp Patagonia

EcoCamp Patagonia earned the Gold Award for its thorough and sustainable waste management practices. The organization has tackled all waste streams, from composting toilets and solid waste to food waste and old textiles. Notably, EcoCamp repurposes old curtains into reusable bags and creates new products such as blankets and hats from employees’ uniforms. Additionally, non-compostable food scraps are given to local suppliers to feed livestock. These efforts showcase EcoCamp’s holistic approach to waste management, which could easily be replicated by other tourism businesses worldwide.

Nature Positive

The “Nature Positive” category honors initiatives that contribute to reversing biodiversity loss and protecting nature for future generations. Tourism businesses that adopt regenerative practices, including those that act as guardians of biodiversity, are recognized in this category.

Gold – Rainforest Expeditions – Wired Amazon Programme

Rainforest Expeditions received the Gold Award for its Wired Amazon Programme, which integrates ecotourism with environmental conservation. The initiative demonstrates that responsible tourism can generate economic opportunities for indigenous communities while reinforcing cultural identity and environmental stewardship. The programme also generates much-needed funding for conservation projects, proving that ecotourism can serve as an effective tool for biodiversity preservation. The judges were particularly impressed with the research-driven approach, which enhances visitor engagement and ensures that the benefits of tourism are reinvested into local conservation efforts.

Silver – Estancia Cerro Guido

Estancia Cerro Guido, a conservation-focused lodge, won the Silver Award for its Guardian Dogs Initiative, which has successfully reduced puma predation on livestock by 85%. This program has significantly decreased retaliatory killings of pumas and has provided former puma hunters with training to become wildlife guides. This initiative not only supports local wildlife but also encourages the community to engage in sustainable tourism practices. The success of this project highlights the important role that local communities can play in wildlife conservation.

One to Watch – Kapawi Ecolodge

Kapawi Ecolodge, an ecolodge in Ecuador, was named “One to Watch” for its efforts to recover and renovate the lodge through the collaborative work of three local communities: Kapawi, Kusutkau, and Suwa. Their dedication to rebuilding and maintaining the ecolodge has created a model for sustainable tourism, blending cultural heritage with environmental stewardship.

Increasing Local Sourcing & Creating Shared Value

The “Increasing Local Sourcing & Creating Shared Value” award recognizes businesses that integrate local entrepreneurs and businesses into their supply chains, reducing economic leakage and enhancing the local economy.

Gold – Kuyana Amazon Lodge

Kuyana Amazon Lodge won the Gold Award for its commitment to sourcing food and products locally. By employing indigenous guides and craftspeople, the lodge helps contribute to the local economy while minimizing its carbon footprint. The focus on fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients allows guests to immerse themselves in the region’s unique culinary culture while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Kuyana’s efforts to foster economic stability and promote indigenous entrepreneurship make it a standout example of responsible tourism.

Silver – Latin Trails and ILLA Experience Hotel, NESTS

The “Silver” award went to the NESTS initiative run by Latin Trails and ILLA Experience Hotel. The program offers hands-on training, mentorship, and career opportunities for young culinary talents from rural and underserved communities in Ecuador. The initiative not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the community as a whole, providing valuable opportunities in the hospitality industry. The NESTS program’s success highlights the role of training and education in creating shared value for both local communities and the tourism industry.

Climate Adaptation & Resilience

Finally, the “Climate Adaptation & Resilience” category recognizes tourism businesses that take proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprint and protect tourism infrastructure and ecosystems from climate-related risks.

Gold – Amazonas Explorer

Amazonas Explorer won the Gold Award for its low-impact travel style, emphasizing activities such as trekking, biking, and rafting, which produce fewer emissions than more carbon-intensive alternatives. Amazonas Explorer also plants trees by hand, contributing to local reforestation efforts. The company’s commitment to sustainable tourism and regenerative practices sets an example for the wider tourism industry, particularly with its focus on reducing emissions and supporting small, local suppliers.

Silver – La Selva Ecolodge & Retreat

La Selva Ecolodge earned Silver for its dedication to reducing emissions and offsetting its environmental impact. By investing in renewable energy and community health programs, the ecolodge has created a resilient, sustainable operation. Their innovative hybrid energy system, powered by solar and grid energy, further supports the community’s shift to clean energy solutions.

One to Watch – Antarctica21

Antarctica21 was recognized with the “One to Watch” award for its e-gasoline initiative, testing synthetic e-fuels to reduce the carbon footprint of its expedition fleet. This cutting-edge project has the potential to significantly transform the way tourism industries operate in remote regions.

The LATA Responsible Tourism Awards 2025 are a testament to the growing commitment of Latin American businesses and organizations in ensuring that tourism is both a driver of economic development and a force for good. The winners and nominees are not only promoting sustainable practices but also creating a model for how the tourism sector can contribute to a more equitable and resilient world. These awards provide a platform to recognize the outstanding efforts being made to ensure that the benefits of tourism are felt across entire supply chains, protecting both people and the planet for future generations.