Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2025 – Regenerative Travel Experience Finalists

Words Sarah Vockins

Date18 December 2024

Regenerative Travel celebrates experiences that are reshaping the way we journey, connect, and participate in the world. Our Regenerative Travel Experience Finalists honour places and initiatives that move far beyond traditional tourism to restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and deepen our relationship with the planet.

These transformative experiences use travel as a force for regeneration—supporting community-led stewardship, revitalising cultural practices, and demonstrating the profound interconnectedness of people and place. Rather than simply offering moments of escape, they create immersive pathways for travellers to understand local challenges, participate in positive change, and leave destinations better than they were found.

Evaluated through a holistic lens that includes ecological impact, cultural integrity, community engagement, and measurable social benefit, this shortlist sets a new benchmark for responsible and regenerative travel. Each finalist exemplifies what meaningful progress looks like: partnerships built on trust, science-informed conservation, respect for local knowledge, and a long-term commitment to regeneration rather than extraction.

These are the trailblazers redefining what it means to experience the world—those proving that travel can heal landscapes, strengthen local economies, revive cultural heritage, and empower communities to thrive. Their work demonstrates that when travel honours place, centres local voices, and actively contributes to ecological and social wellbeing, it becomes a powerful catalyst for a more connected, resilient, and regenerative future.

Guests visiting Rainforest Expeditions’ lodges become active contributors to conservation

Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Photo: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, Bella Coola, Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia — Tweedsmuir Park Lodge Photo: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, Bella Coola, Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia

WINNER: Rainforest Expeditions

The 8 Primates Project is pioneering regenerative citizen science in the Peruvian Amazon by transforming how primate conservation is understood, monitored, and protected. Launched by Rainforest Expeditions in partnership with Dr. Mark Bowler of the University of Suffolk, the initiative uses cutting-edge bioacoustics, artificial intelligence, and community engagement to safeguard species such as spider monkeys, howler monkeys, and capuchins—keystone seed dispersers essential to rainforest regeneration. By building the world’s largest open-access library of primate vocalizations and developing new soundscape ecology methods, the project is redefining large-scale biodiversity monitoring. Over the past year, it has expanded beyond the Tambopata National Reserve into community buffer zones, training local residents in bioacoustic research and deepening the impact of conservation efforts. This dynamic evolution positions 8 Primates at the forefront of ecological science while strengthening local stewardship and creating new opportunities for regenerative tourism.

What makes the project especially powerful is how it reimagines the role of the traveler. Guests visiting Rainforest Expeditions’ lodges become active contributors to conservation, collecting primate audio recordings, documenting behavior, and soon mapping feeding trees and geotagged imagery. By slowing down and engaging deeply with the hidden soundscape of the forest, travelers rediscover sensory connection and leave with a renewed sense of responsibility toward the planet. Their contributions feed global research platforms and spark lasting advocacy at home, while regenerative tourism generates meaningful livelihoods in research support, guiding, and community-based conservation. The 8 Primates Project demonstrates how science, community, and tourism can come together to restore ecosystems, uplift local people, and cultivate global ambassadors for the Amazon—offering a compelling model for the future of regenerative travel.

xr:d:DAFfLCO7h7E:544,j:4745755693,t:23051517

Abled Voyages

Abled Voyages, the in-house accessible travel brand of Aura Voyages, is redefining what inclusion looks like in tourism by ensuring that travel is not a privilege but a universal human experience. With a philosophy rooted in possibility rather than limitation, they curate deeply personalized journeys for travelers with disabilities—crafting itineraries that are safe, seamless, and empowering. Each tour is adapted to individual needs, from step-free accommodations and accessible vehicles to mindful site planning and attentive on-the-ground support. But their work extends far beyond logistics; Abled Voyages champions dignity, independence, and meaningful cultural immersion. Through shared meals, community interactions, and genuine encounters within local homes, they create people-to-people connections that enrich travelers and strengthen communities—embodying the true spirit of regenerative tourism.

More than trip designers, Abled Voyages acts as catalysts for systemic change across India’s tourism sector. By training guides, hoteliers, drivers, and local hosts, they foster greater awareness and infrastructure for accessibility, creating a ripple effect that benefits countless future travelers. Their itineraries invite guests to celebrate India’s cultural vibrancy—whether participating in Diwali traditions with local families, joining safe and inclusive Holi festivities, or exploring bustling markets and spiritual spaces with confidence. Each experience breaks down stereotypes, builds understanding, and nurtures a sense of belonging.

At its core, Abled Voyages is committed to shaping a more equitable future for global tourism—one where accessibility is not an optional add-on, but a foundation for meaningful, inclusive travel. By empowering travelers with disabilities to participate fully in cultural life and by inspiring local communities to embrace universal access, they demonstrate how travel can regenerate relationships, broaden perspectives, and restore joy. They now welcome collaborations with travel agents and tour operators worldwide who are ready to champion accessible travel as an essential part of responsible, purpose-driven tourism.

By empowering travelers with disabilities to participate fully in cultural life and by inspiring local communities to embrace universal access

Each tour is adapted to individual needs, from step-free accommodations and accessible vehicles to mindful site planning and attentive on-the-ground support.

Antara Cruises

By way of introduction, as a 40 years family firm & pioneering Indian river & expedition cruising over the last 25 years including the world’s longest river cruise; we’re passionate about changing perspectives of our peoples & places through immersive voyages along the waterways exploring untouched landscapes.

India’s Emerald Triangle: A Living Greenprint for Conservation Boutique river cruising meets regenerative travel in India’s Bhitarkanika National Park, where rangers, schoolchildren, and travellers restore ecosystems, protect wildlife, and preserve centuries-old cultural heritage.

For the first time, expedition cruising brings travellers to Odisha’s rivers and the labyrinthine mangroves of Bhitarkanika National Park, home to India’s second-largest mangrove system. Known in ancient times as Utkala and Kalinga, this land resonates with history—from Emperor Asoka’s transformative Kalinga War 2000 years ago to vibrant traditions that persist along the waterways.Here, amid tidal forests and pristine wetlands, rangers and schoolchildren champion mangroves, protect endangered species, and nurture fragile ecosystems.

Guests encounter sunning saltwater crocodiles, playful fauna, 320 bird species, and rare flora, all while learning the cultural stories woven into the landscape.Antara Cruises’ elegant catamarans glide silently along these hidden waterways, offering immersive experiences that merge adventure, comfort, and purpose. In Bhitarkanika, travel becomes a force for regeneration—proof that conservation, culture, and courageous action can flow together to inspire the world.

Antara Cruises immerses you into native Indian culture

Antara Luxury River Cruises boats travel through India’s tranquil waterways

Antara Luxury River Cruises runs voyages that flow like an immersive travel documentary

Venture into the mangroves of the Sundarbans with Antara Luxury River Cruises to experience the incredible biodiversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba

Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba believes that true wellness begins with presence, and in Summer 2025, the hotel launched an initiative that invited guests to slow down—not only for themselves, but for the island they came to experience. The inaugural Slow Summer campaign reimagined Aruba’s low season as a time of deeper connection, mindful exploration, and regenerative impact. Traditionally overlooked, summer revealed itself as an opportunity to ease pressure on high-season tourism, distribute economic benefits more evenly, and offer travelers a more grounding, restorative way to engage with the destination. What emerged was a holistic wellness journey rooted in nature, community, and culture—one that encouraged visitors to tread gently, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Slow Summer unfolded through a series of intentional experiences designed to harmonize personal well-being with care for Aruba’s ecosystems and communities. Guests floated in Caribbean waters during Sunset Ocean Sound Baths, where crystal bowl frequencies blended with the tide to soothe the nervous system and restore balance. Under starlit skies, local poets, musicians, and storytellers—supported through a partnership with the Basha Foundation—shared intimate reflections of their Aruba, cultivating cultural connection and a sense of belonging. During Barefoot Nature Walks, team members guided guests through the hotel’s former coconut plantation, offering fresh coconuts while sharing stories of heritage, ecology, and conservation. Each slow step encouraged participants to engage with the landscape as more than visitors—inviting them into a shared commitment to the island.

To inspire mindful exploration beyond the hotel grounds, Boardwalk introduced its illustrated Slow Summer Treasure Map, created by local artist Claudia Nooren Ruiz-Vasquez. Paired with thoughtfully curated picnic baskets, the map guided travelers toward hidden beaches and low-impact adventures, nudging them away from screens and into the rhythms of slow wandering. Restorative yoga beneath the palms anchored participants in the natural environment, while the hotel’s signature Postcards to Your Future Self ritual offered a moment of reflection—letters sealed in wax and mailed weeks later to gently remind guests of the stillness they found in Aruba.

As a pilot initiative, Slow Summer was intentionally built on regenerative tourism principles. The hotel encouraged longer stays, off-season travel, and alternative experiences that reduced peak season strain and broadened local benefit. Collaborations with Aruban artists, practitioners, and guides amplified community voices during the quieter months, while a thoughtful storytelling campaign helped reframe how travelers perceive Aruba’s summer season: as restorative, soulful, and sustainably inviting.

Ultimately, Slow Summer became more than a hotel initiative—it became a new way for Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba to show up for its island home. It demonstrated how embracing slowness can nurture both personal and planetary well-being, marking the beginning of a deeper, ongoing commitment to regenerative hospitality.

The inaugural Slow Summer campaign reimagined Aruba’s low season as a time of deeper connection, mindful exploration, and regenerative impact.

The hotel encouraged longer stays, off-season travel, and alternative experiences that reduced peak season strain and broadened local benefit.

Slow Summer became more than a hotel initiative—it became a new way for Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba to show up for its island home.

Kapawi Ecolodge

For nearly three decades, Kapawi Ecolodge has stood as one of the most influential examples of community-owned ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest. Established in 1996 by the Achuar Nation, the ecolodge was envisioned not simply as a hospitality venture, but as a new model of development—one rooted in environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and the protection of one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions. From its inception, Kapawi introduced pioneering environmental and social standards that reframed tourism as a tool for safeguarding the rainforest and strengthening indigenous autonomy. By giving economic and cultural value to intact ecosystems, the ecolodge inspired local communities to adopt wildlife-friendly practices and engage in nature-based tourism as a long-term strategy for territorial protection.

Over the years, the impact of Kapawi has expanded far beyond its initial footprint. Today, more than ten Achuar communities across a territory of over 50,000 hectares directly or indirectly benefit from the ecolodge and its ecotourism value chain. Kapawi has become a central hub connecting visiting researchers, universities, and conservation organizations to the remote Pastaza basin, catalyzing a wide range of community-led initiatives. These collaborative projects now include solar energy systems for homes and river transport, water purification, fish farming, reforestation, wildlife monitoring, native vanilla cultivation, and other sustainable development programs that respond to the communities’ evolving needs. Through these efforts, Kapawi has helped shape a regional conservation landscape that merges traditional knowledge with modern innovation.

At the same time, external pressures have intensified—road expansion, deforestation, and extractive activities continue to threaten the ecological and cultural integrity of the region. In response, Kapawi Ecolodge has played a crucial leadership role in establishing a 60,000-hectare ecotourism corridor involving ten Achuar communities and more than 1,200 Indigenous residents. This collective territory now stands as a buffer against destructive development and a vibrant example of how community-driven tourism can become the primary engine for forest protection and cultural resilience. The seed planted in 1996 has grown into one of Ecuador’s strongest Indigenous-led models for conservation and regenerative development.

Kapawi’s approach remains distinct for four key reasons. First, it was conceived from the beginning as a conservation-driven project, demonstrating that biodiversity protection and cultural preservation can form the foundation of a sustainable economy. Second, its steadfast bottom-up governance ensures that every decision is community-driven and community-supported. Third, the ecolodge continues to foster cross-sector collaboration—expanding its role into clean energy, water security, climate adaptation, gender equity, and technological innovation. And finally, Kapawi offers visitors an authentically transformative experience: a chance to learn directly from the Achuar about their worldview, their stewardship practices, and their vision for a future where nature and culture are protected for generations to come.

Since 2024, Kapawi has reinforced its mission as a regional connector for conservation, strengthening partnerships that bring knowledge, innovation, and resources to remote communities. Through its leadership, the ecolodge continues to prove that sustainable travel—when grounded in Indigenous wisdom, ecological respect, and community empowerment—can restore ecosystems, protect cultures, and redefine what responsible tourism looks like in the Amazon and beyond.

Kapawi Ecolodge has stood as one of the most influential examples of community-owned ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest.

By giving economic and cultural value to intact ecosystems, the ecolodge inspired local communities to adopt wildlife-friendly practices and engage in nature-based tourism as a long-term strategy for territorial protection.

Today, more than ten Achuar communities across a territory of over 50,000 hectares directly or indirectly benefit from the ecolodge and its ecotourism value chain.

What are the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards?

The Impact Awards celebrate people and projects that embody the spirit of regeneration—improving people’s lives, our communities, and the world around us.

We search the globe for inspiring changemakers working to solve our biggest challenges and inspiring positive action, both inside and outside of travel.

Our judging panel was handpicked based on their exceptional expertise, achievements, and diverse backgrounds. With their collective knowledge in marine ecology, social entrepreneurship, travel journalism, sustainability, visual storytelling, tourism policy, hospitality, and impact investing, the judging panel is well-equipped to identify innovative ideas that have the potential to advance regenerative travel.