Belize has been nominated as the “World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2024” at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The first annual awards show is being hosted at the Cahal Pech Archaeological Site in Belize on September 27.
As well as Belize, the list of nominees for World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2024 is interesting, including countries, regions and even a luxury eco-resort in the Nepalese Himalayas.
As well as Belize, the list includes Guyana, Portugal’s Madeira, the Philippine province of Padawan, the ‘Dark Sky’ region of Alqueva, Portugal, the sustainability-minded Heritage Resorts & Golf in Mauritius, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Destination and The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm, in Nepal.
The G Adventures Canada fam group at the border to Guatemala. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
TravelPulse Canada was recently in Belize on a G Adventures tour, and we were impressed by the small nation’s respect for its nature and antiquities. A snorkeling tour from the blissfully laidback beach town Caye Caulker showed how seriously local officials and boat crews are about preserving the incredible beauty of the Belize Barrier Reef.
The G Adventures tour was also an exemplar for a more sustainable tourism approach that leaves more money in the pockets of local business people.
The tour, which also included time in Guatemala, was given a ‘Ripple Score’ of 99, a G Adventures rating that means 99% of the money spent on tour stays in the country. We stayed at locally-owned hotels and ate in typical local restaurants, and there are plenty of them, as there isn’t a foreign fast food brand to be found.
A sign on a building in Belize. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
There are many other categories in the first annual awards show, both global and regional. Belize and its tourism partners are shortlisted for the following awards:
· World’s Leading Sustainable Female Empowerment Initiative 2024
· Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project 2024
· Leading Sustainable Marine Conservation Initiative 2024
· Leading Sustainable Community Engagement Programme 2024
If you’d like to vote in the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, click here. When you register as an industry member your votes count as five compared with the general public.
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