InterMundial Foundation presents the Responsible Tourism Awards

The InterMundial Foundation today presented the 1st Responsible Tourism Award, organized in partnership with FITUR and the Hotel Technology Institute. The four winners of this inaugural edition were selected from 56 entries representing 13 countries.

The 1st Responsible Tourism Award recognizes the commitment of tourism companies working to develop and promote tourism that advocates for environmentally, economically, and socially responsible practices. It consists of four categories: Hospitality, Transport, Tourism Products and Services, and a special mention for the Destinations category.

During the awards ceremony held at FITUR, Manuel López, a trustee of the InterMundial Foundation, highlighted the importance of recognizing responsible tourism practices as the best way to advance toward sustainability.

Winners of the first Responsible Tourism Awards

The 1st Responsible Tourism Award in the Hospitality category was presented to Meliá Hotels International for its responsible initiatives at the Meliá Calviá Beach resort in Mallorca. The jury chose this entry as the "best example of destination transformation based on sustainability criteria. A project that leads the company's environmental agenda and demonstrates a commitment to the destination through responsible management."

Juan Molas, president of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT), presented this award to Alfonso del Poyo, Vice President of Meliá Hotels International.

The 1st Responsible Tourism Award in the Transport category was awarded to Air Europa for its efforts and investment in reducing CO2 emissions. The jury recognized its firm commitment to the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner model, which increases efficiency by reducing fuel consumption by 20%, thereby generating 20% fewer CO2 emissions, as a benchmark for responsible tourism.

Manuel López, a trustee of the InterMundial Foundation, presented this award to María José Hidalgo, General Manager of Air Europa.

The 1st Responsible Tourism Award in the Tourism Products and Services category went to Pescaturismo, a technology platform that allows artisanal fishermen to carry out their work while tourists enjoy a fishing experience. The jury awarded this initiative for being "a project with a strong educational component and respect for the environment that also proposes a new source of income for the sector."

Rafael Gallego, president of CEAV, presented the award to Pepe Martinez, CEO of Pescaturismo.

Additionally, the award included a special mention for responsible destinations, which went to Catalonia for its "Accessible tourism, tourism for all" initiative, through which they have managed to increase the number of accessible tourism destinations from 16 to 26 over the last 10 years.

Ana Larrañaga, Director of FITUR, presented this special mention to Octavi Bono, Director General of Tourism and Vice President of the Catalan Tourist Board.

The finalists for the 1st Responsible Tourism Award, who also received recognition, were NH Hotel Group in the Hospitality category, Balearia in the Transport category, and Pausanias Viajes Arqueológicos y Culturales in the Tourism Products and Services category. Gijón was a finalist for the special mention for destinations.

The jury for this edition was composed of Manuel López, trustee of the InterMundial Foundation and CEO of InterMundial; Ana Larrañaga, Director of FITUR; and Álvaro Carrillo, Director of the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH), as well as representatives from institutions such as the Tourism Board and the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT).

About the InterMundial Foundation

The main objective of the InterMundial Foundation is to showcase the benefits that tourism brings to society and the environment, by fostering research toward responsible tourism development and rewarding any initiative that promotes the excellence and commitment the tourism industry maintains with its socioeconomic and environmental context.