On World Tourism Day, September 27th, 2024, Belize hosted the first-ever World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards (WSTHAs). Created by the founders of the World Travel Awards, the WSTHAs serve to recognize the movers and shakers in the world of sustainable tourism, from entire destinations to businesses and organizations. The inaugural event featured a gala ceremony held at Oakridge Venues in Spanish Lookout and saw hospitality stakeholders from across the globe recognized for their work. This year’s WSTHAs featured 21 categories, including World’s Leading Sustainable Destination, awarded to Belize.
Belize Awarded “World’s Leading Sustainable Destination”
Over the past few years, Belize has been praised by the global community for its dedication to conservation, most notably through its groundbreaking Blue Bond Agreement. The agreement, a $364 million debt conversion for marine conservation, would reduce Belize’s debt by 12% of GDP, create an estimated $180 million in sustainable financing for conservation, and secure a commitment to protect 30% of Belize’s ocean, according to the Green Finance Insitute.
This, says, the Belize Tourism Board, was one of the main highlights of the country’s nomination in the category of World’s Leading Sustainable Destination. The country received a nominaiton alongside Mauritius, Portugal, Guyana, The Philippines, The Himalayas, and Saudi Arabia.
As host nation, Belize also had three awards categories dedicated to recognizing local initiatives. Those categories were Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project; Leading Sustainable Marine Conservation Initiative; and Leading Sustainable Community Engagement Programme with Che’il Mayan Chocolate, Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA), and the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) as winners.
“These wins reflect our nation’s deep commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. Belize is setting a global example of how tourism and conservation can work hand in hand,” said Belize’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Anthony Mahler.
The Winners of the Inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards
The winners of this year’s WSTHAs run the gamut from an indigenous-owned chocolate-making company to a multinational luxury resort group. Categories included World’s Leading Sustainable Organization, awarded to Green Initiative, an international climate certification and advisory services company. Meanwhile, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group walked away with three awards, including World’s Leading Sustainable Development 2024.
A pioneer of ecotourism in the Peruvian Amazon, adventure company Rainforest Expeditions won Worlds Leading Sustainable Conservation & Biodiversity Program 2024.
To read the full list of winners for the inaugural WSTHAs, visit the awards website.
According to the WSTHAs, all award entries were vetted by the Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon followed by a public voting process to determine the winners for each category.
All photos courtesy of The Belize Tourism Board and the World Sustainable Tourism & Hospitality Awards
