Welcome to the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards, where we shine a spotlight on an extraordinary initiative that has redefined the way we explore, experience, and cherish our world: the “Regenerative Travel Experience of the Year.”
The “Regenerative Travel Experience of the Year” award is a testament to the power of imagination, innovation, and conscious exploration. It encapsulates the transformative journey of an experience that has emerged as a beacon of regenerative impact in the past year. This is an experience that doesn’t merely tread lightly on the earth; it rejuvenates and replenishes, leaving behind more than it takes.
In a world that yearns for transformation, where each footstep holds the potential to leave a lasting mark, the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards stand as a testament to our commitment to celebrating those whose endeavors embody the true spirit of regeneration. We come together not just to celebrate travels taken, but to honor the journeys that plant the seeds of positive impact and cultivate change that resonates far beyond the traveler’s path.
View the winner & finalists:
Winner
Manta Resort Introduces Coral Reef Safari for Conservation – Tanzania
Manta Resort in Tanzania launches its new Pemba Coral Reef Safari—an unparalleled scuba diving experience. Teaming up with Ecotraining, a guide training organization, Manta Resort offers a unique 28-day course tailored for marine environments. Guides gain specialized underwater techniques and learn to interpret Pemba’s marine life. The resort ensures top-quality training, augmented by full-face masks with microphones for real-time commentary. Divers wear specialized earpieces for a truly immersive encounter.
This journey seamlessly blends terrestrial safaris with marine exploration, providing guided encounters with marine life. Limited to two divers, the safari guarantees an intimate experience. Trained guides lead each dive, having completed a specialist course in underwater guiding and marine life interpretation. Manta Pemba Island partners with BlueRise and supports the Kwanini Foundation, aiding local community development and marine protection. Booking a Pemba Coral Reef Safari not only promises remarkable diving but also contributes to positive social and environmental impacts. Each booking directly allocates $35 to the Kwanini Foundation.
Finalists
AstroStays is Connecting Culture, Cosmos, and Community in Rural Indian Landscapes – India
Astrostays stands as a social enterprise originating from India, driven by the aspiration to foster socio-economic advancement in rural landscapes. This endeavor materializes through the establishment of nature-based livelihoods and novel avenues for revenue generation within local communities, accomplished via community-centered astro-tourism. Astrostays seamlessly integrates community-operated homestays and communal spaces, overseen by trained local youth and women. Astronomy serves as the central allure, amplifying the experience. Revenue streams stem from both homestay accommodations and guided stargazing sessions for tourists.
With the community as its nucleus, the model transcends conventional astronomy-based offerings, encompassing comprehensive programs that span cultural heritage and exchange, local craftsmanship, sustainable living, and eco-tourism. They present a distinctive amalgamation of contemporary astronomy and indigenous folklore. As an integral part of the program, community members become astronomy guides, offering insights into local arts, crafts, cuisine, and indigenous celestial narratives. In an era of waning cultural identities, the initiative strives to preserve traditional heritage while aiding underserved regions. It also brings attention to nearby historical monuments that suffer from neglect due to funding constraints. Increased tourism not only safeguards these heritage sites but also revitalizes their surroundings.
Kind Human Travel Embraces Heritage and Nature for a Deeper Human Connection – Peru
Kind Human is a new initiative with a profound mission—to reignite the significance of ancient cultures through the realm of travel. This project is driven by the core belief that rekindling our connection with nature and embracing humility can reshape the way we perceive our role in the world. To manifest this vision, Kind Human has joined forces with the Choquecancha community, an embodiment of time-honored traditions and values. Through immersive experiences, travelers are invited to step into the community’s rhythm, partaking in daily rituals and customs that hold the essence of human history. This unique venture seeks to counteract the tide of modernization, offering a chance to experience life as it once was, where hands touched soil, skies held significance, and every aspect of nature was cherished.
At the heart of Kind Human’s philosophy is the concept of reciprocity. In collaboration with the Choquecancha community, this principle extends beyond transactions to encompass a shared exchange of support and understanding. Travelers, along with the initiative’s collaborators and stakeholders, are invited to contribute in various non-monetary ways, whether it’s knowledge-sharing, spiritual enrichment, or any form of meaningful interaction that sustains the human connection. In a world propelled by rapid advancement, Kind Human invites us to pause, rewind, and embrace our origins—a journey that not only redefines our relationship with the Earth but also the essence of what it means to be truly humane.
Nikoi Island’s Ubah Rumah: A Haven for Artistic Exploration and Cultural Preservation – Indonesia
Ubah Rumah, nestled on Nikoi Private Island off the coast of Bintan, Indonesia, stands as a purpose-built haven for visiting artists and researchers. Originating from the Malay language, the name translates to ‘Home of Change,’ capturing the essence of its mission to offer a unique experience that fosters positive impact on the local community and environment. Co-founded and managed by artists Alecia Yeo and Ernest Goh, Ubah Rumah serves as a living studio activated by residents during their stay, inviting artists and researchers to delve into projects that explore evolving landscapes and the role of hospitality in adaptation. The program, encompassing a variety of art forms, also features researchers focusing on cultural heritage and environmental challenges, contributing to an open-source digital resource known as the collective archive, which documents the region’s intricate culture.
Ubah Rumah embodies a commitment to supporting the arts locally and internationally. By inviting artists and researchers from diverse disciplines, the initiative nurtures creativity while raising awareness of threatened communities and ecosystems. Beyond workshops and performances, residents contribute to an open-source digital resource, the collective archive, enriching the understanding of the region’s culture. As a pivotal step in supporting local arts, Ubah Rumah underscores the significance of sustainable initiatives in a tourism context.
Empowering Oman Women: Six Senses Zighy Bay’s ‘Sense of Oman: Through a Woman’s Eyes’ Initiative – Oman
Six Senses Zighy Bay, a remote luxury resort in Oman, introduced “Sense of Oman: Through a Woman’s Eyes” in October 2022 to support the Dibba Women Association, aligning with their sustainability and wellness principles. The association initially started as a gathering place for local women in a conservative society, offering a nursery and pre-school for children. The women are skilled artisans, crafting pottery, perfume, spices, and more, but faced economic challenges.
In collaboration with the association, the resort created a 2-hour guest experience where 25 women showcase their handcrafted products and teach guests their skills. The exchange fosters cultural understanding, allowing guests to learn about Omani traditions while empowering the women economically. The proceeds from this activity directly support the association’s development projects, including children’s facilities and infrastructure improvements. This endeavor has helped the women gain income, new customers, and greater independence, while the association thrives on entrepreneurship, cooperation, and educational programs.
