World Legacy Awards: ITB & National Georgraphic Honor Global Sustainable Tourism Best Practices

Costas Christ, Editor at Large of National Geographic Traveler.

ITB and National Geographic on Thursday unveiled the winners of the inaugural World Legacy Awards at ITB Berlin in Germany.

The World Legacy Awards recognize leading tourism companies, organizations and destinations – from airlines to eco-lodges, from countries to communities – which promote a worldwide rethinking of the travel industry according to sustainable principles and practices.

All applications were judged by a jury of experts.

The jury chairman was Costas Christ, Editor at Large of National Geographic Traveler and one of the world’s most well-known experts for sustainable tourism.

Winners of the first World Legacy Awards

Conserving the Natural World (Recognizing outstanding support for the preservation of nature) – Winner: Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, Chile

Sense of Place (Recognizing excellence in enhancing cultural authenticity) – Winner: Cavallo Point Lodge, United States

Earth Changers (Recognizing cutting edge leadership in environmentally friendly business practices) – Winner: Orange County Resorts, India

Engaging Communities (Recognizing economic and social benefits that improve local livelihoods) – Winner: Tropic Journeys in Nature, Equador

Destination Leadership (Including protection of cultural and natural heritage and educating travelers on sustainable tourism best practices) – Winner: Aruba

Out of more than 150 applications the jury selected the 15 finalists of the inaugural National Geographic World Legacy Awards and then concluded to the five winners.

In addition to the worldwide recognition offered by the ITB Berlin stage, prize winners and finalists will also be showcased to a global audience in the National Geographic Traveler magazine and other media. Each month the National Geographic Society reaches over 500 million people worldwide via magazines, books, documentary films and much more!

The next World Legacy Award cycle will begin in June 2015, with winners announced at ITB Berlin in March 2016. Interested parties may submit their application from June 1 until September 1 here.