Travel & Tour World: Discover the 2024 Contenders for the First Ever at World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards event

Tue 18 June 2024

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) has announced its nominees and launched voting for its inaugural program.

From a global pool of entries, the shortlist showcases a diverse array of individuals and organizations driving change and fostering positive impacts in sustainable tourism.

Hundreds of submissions were evaluated by Sustainable Business students from Nova Business School, and the final list was approved by the WSTHA Advisory Board. Criteria included quantitative and qualitative metrics, adherence to international standards and best practices, scalability, partnerships, relative impact, and storytelling.

Voting is open until August 2, welcoming industry professionals, media, and the public to vote for nominees they believe are making the most significant contributions to sustainable travel. The winner in each category will be determined by the highest number of votes.

The 21 award categories, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the net positive framework of People, Planet, Place, Prosperity, and Partnerships, were curated by the WSTHA Advisory Board. The complete list of 2024 nominees is available online.

Winners will be unveiled at the WSTHA Gala Ceremony in Belize, the Official Host Destination, on September 27.

Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, WSTHA says: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest in the inaugural WSTHA programme. The calibre of entrants is exceptional, many with fascinating stories of how they are accelerating change in sustainable tourism. This serves as a healthy indicator of the momentum, drive and innovation towards creating a net positive travel industry. I wish all our nominees the best of luck. And remember to cast your vote for your favourites.”’

Belize, the Official Host Destination of WSTHA 2024, prioritizes responsible tourism, fostering initiatives that encourage travelers to engage sustainably with its rainforests, reefs, and distinctive culture.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations, Belize, says: “We are incredibly excited to host the inaugural World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards here in Belize. Seeing so many trailblazing companies and individuals nominated is truly inspiring and highlights the industry’s commitment to a more sustainable future for travel. The innovation level of nominees demonstrates a shared vision, where tourism not only thrives but also helps preserve our environment and supports local communities. We look forward to welcoming all nominees and congratulating the winners in person while sharing Belize’s own sustainable tourism initiatives with a global audience.”

The WSTHA program is conducted in collaboration with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose donor members and affiliates collectively encompass more than 50,000 hotels, 7 million rooms worldwide, 270 brands, and over 40 supply chain and strategic partners.

Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, says: “At the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, we are thrilled to witness so many deserving and inspiring entries. As we delve deeper into how these nominees are driving transformative change and making Net Positive a reality for our industry, I encourage everyone to vote and recognize these extraordinary efforts. Some of these remarkable nominees will have the honour of being named inaugural WSTHA winners. Good luck to all.”

WSTHA is affiliated with the World Travel Awards, which is currently marking its 31st anniversary.