Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009

Nominate in our Responsible Tourism Awards 2009!

Nominations for our Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards are now open. Make your nomination by Monday 15 June and sign up to our emagazine to receive the latest announcements, nominations and updates.

The Responsible Tourism Awards are the most prestigious awards of their kind in the world and are a collaboration between online travel directory responsibletravel.com, who founded and organise the Awards, UK media partners Telegraph Travel and Geographical Magazine, BBC World News, and World Travel Market, who host the Awards ceremony (read more about our Partners).

2008 saw a record number of nominations for the Awards, with over 1900 received from travelers around the world keen to share their knowledge on the best in the industry! This year we're calling on you yet again to tell us who you think is leading the way in responsible tourism. Read more about the Responsible Tourism Awards judging process.

Nominate a winner in any of our 13 categories by Monday 15 June 2009, and you could be in with a chance to win fantastic holiday for you and a friend!

2008 Awards winners Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps are offering a memorable prize safari holiday in Kenya. The prize includes 7 nights accommodation (1 night Tribe Hotel, 2 nights Amboseli Porini Camp, 2 nights Ol Pejeta Rhino Camp, 2 Nights Mara Porini Camp) and return economy flights from Heathrow to Nairobi.

Find out more about this amazing prize holiday. Want to keep track of the latest Awards news? Sign up to our emagazine to receive the latest announcements, nomination and updates, or follow RTAwards on Twitter.com for our responsible tweets!

Want to chat with other travelers about the Awards, previous winners, and your nomination ideas? Login to Facebook and be part our Responsible Tourism Awards group, or sign up to IKnowAGreatPlace.com and take a look at our Responsible Tourism Awards forum!

Download r:travel, the responsible travel magazine featuring all the winners of our Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2008 When Paul Theroux’s travelogue 'The Great Railway Bazaar' came out in 1975, he managed to tickle the itchy feet of travellers inspired by his commitment to making the journey, not the destination, the focus of his travels, and to inspire us with his engaged approach to seeing the world and meeting its peoples. To mark the 6th year of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, we asked him to share his thoughts on his experiences, from 'Dark Star Safari', volunteering in Malawi, and living in Hawaii, to his opinions on the emergent ideals of responsible tourism.

Why are you supporting The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards?

In the past, awards were given for Best Meal, Best View, Most Grovelling Staff, Biggest Ballroom, or whatever. It's encouraging that tourism organisations and individuals are being rewarded for doing something that is ethically right or supporting a position that will help the planet. That's the greatest lesson of travel: it is a very small and easily bruised planet.

Read the full interview here! Best tour operator for cultural engagement
2009 sponsor Tourism Western Australia
A tour operator which creates positive engagement with the culture and traditions of the local community or indigenous people.

Best large hotel / accommodation
2009 sponsor Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
A hotel, lodge or other accommodation of more than 50 rooms that is run with the environment and needs of local people in mind.

Best small hotel / accommodation
2009 sponsor Discover Dominica Tourism Authority
A hotel, lodge or other accommodation of fewer than 50 rooms that is run with the environment and needs of local people in mind.

Best in a mountain environment
2009 sponsor World Expeditions
An organisation related to a mountain environment, such as an eco-friendly ski resort or a trip that contributes to the welfare of mountain porters.

Best in a marine environment
2009 sponsor Tourism Fiji
An organisation related to a beach or other marine environment, such as turtle conservation or a marine eco-tourism trip.

Best cruise or ferry operator
A cruise or ferry operator that acts responsibly towards the environment and local people.

Read more about the responsible cruise operator category

Best low carbon transport & technology
An organisation or initiative that is developing or promoting low carbon transport or technology.

Best for conservation of wildlife and habitat
2009 sponsor South Australian Tourism Commission
A group or initiative working for the conservation of wildlife and/or their local habitat, such as a national park or wildlife sanctuary.

Best for conservation of cultural heritage
2009 sponsor Jamaica Tourist Board
A tourism organisation or initiative working to protect and promote cultural heritage.

Best for poverty reduction
2009 sponsor PromPeru
An organisation that acts to reduce poverty among communities.


Best volunteering organisation
2009 sponsor Kenya Tourist Board
An organisation offering volunteering opportunities, such as the chance to work on conservation or social projects.

Best destination
2009 sponsor Conservation International
A resort, village or an entire country that manages tourism well for the long-term benefit of tourists, conservation and local people.

Best personal contribution
2009 sponsor Tourism Ireland
A person who has made an outstanding contribution to responsible tourism.

More details about our sponsors