EUROPE: The winners of the Europe Responsible Tourism Awards have been revealed including biodiversity champions, circular economy pioneers and hotels which connect with their local communities.
The Responsible Tourism Awards are run by the non-profit the International Centre for Responsible Tourism global (ICRT global) and, as we reported in March, these awards are the first time there has been a dedicated Europe regional award in the awards programme, which has been running for twenty years.
Winners were from six categories including local sourcing and creating shared value, waste management, nature positive tourism, peace and inclusion, climate adaptation and resilience. A new category this year which celebrates all-inclusive properties which are embracing responsible tourism was also up for grabs.
Chair of the judges and emeritus professor Harold Goodwin and founder of The International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT global) said: “The Responsible Tourism Awards shine a light on innovative, replicable ideas being created by change-makers around the world.
“I’m pleased to say our 2025 Europe winners show practical, measurable and inspiring examples of what is possible when those involved take responsibility for the people and places they operate in.”
EasyJet holidays sponsored the awards and Matt Callaghan, chief operating officer at easyJet holidays said: “At easyJet holidays, we believe travel should be a force for good but we also recognise that tackling the challenges our industry faces requires collaboration. That’s why we value learning from each other, and why we’re celebrating the incredible work of this year’s winners.
“They’re setting the standard for what responsible tourism can look like, not just for travellers, but for local communities and the planet too.”
All the gold winners of the Europe Responsible Tourism Awards will go on to contend for a Global Responsible Tourism Award which will be announced on November 3rd.
2025 Europe Responsible Tourism Award winners :
Local Sourcing and Creating Shared Value Responsible Tourism Awards
Gold: Delphina Hotels & Resorts, Sardinia (pictured above)
Delphina operates 12 hotels and six spas across Sardinia, with a “Genuine Local Food Oriented®” initiative that sources 76 per cent of food and beverage from 128 Sardinian suppliers. Its Selezione Delphina collection showcases local food, wine, cosmetics, and crafts, curated by the founders and a master chef. Judges applauded its commitment and storytelling approach, connecting guests to producers and traditions.
Silver: Emotional Sicily, Italy
One to Watch: Six Senses Ibiza, Spain
Managing Waste Responsible Tourism Awards
Silver: Liberty Fabay, Turkey
Silver: Skiathos Palace, Greece
One to Watch: Swatchloop, Turkey
Nature Positive Responsible Tourism Awards
Gold: Naturetrek, UK
Naturetrek is a specialist wildlife tour operator which will celebrate its fortieth anniversary in 2026 and offers hundreds of expert-led tours. The judges felt that Naturetrek stood out because of its long-term strategy of using its own profits to buy land reserves to protect nature. At its Macchietelle Reserve in Italy for example, fruit trees have been planted to support the Marscian Brown Bear, the Apenine wolf is protected, wetlands are being restored and the landscape rewilded.
Silver: Brabant Partners, Netherlands
One to Watch: Animondial, Global
Peace, understanding and inclusion Responsible Tourism Awards
Gold: MEJDI Tours, Global
MEJDI Tours is a socially conscious travel company that uses tourism as a tool for peacebuilding, cultural understanding, and economic justice. It designs immersive, multi-narrative journeys led by local voices, often from opposing perspectives. Its “dual narrative” model, pioneered in Israel and Palestine, allows travellers to hear guides from both populations side by side. Now operating in 40+ countries, MEJDI fosters empathy, intercultural dialogue, and social impact. A study showed 83% of travellers reported shifts in attitudes or behaviours. Judges called MEJDI an inspiring and world-leading example of how tourism can contribute to peace.
Silver: Costa Navarino, Greece
Silver: Via Transilvanica, Romania
Adapting to climate change Responsible Tourism Awards
Silver: Barut Hemera, Turkey
Barut Hemera is a beachfront resort in Side, Antalya which is the first and only hotel in Turkey to fully eliminate plastic water bottles, replacing them with inhouse water dispensers; preventing the use of 1 million bottles annually. It also reuses wastewater for irrigation and solar energy power has saved 4.5 million tons of carbon emissions. Food waste has been reduced by 18%. Judges praised its self-funded pilot programmes and replicable model, showing what’s possible when climate responsibility is embedded in operations.
Responsible All-Inclusives Responsible Tourism Awards
Gold: Club Marvy, Turkey
Club Marvy is a 303-room resort in Özdere, Turkey, which demonstrates an award-winning level of integration with local communities. It spent nearly $4 million on local sourcing in 2024, including produce from women’s cooperatives and operates its own organic farm, mills oil and has a production workshop where local women can create crafts for sale. In partnership with local government it opened a daycare centre, to help local women join the workforce and 63% of female staff are now local. The judges said this is a clear demonstration of how responsibly an all-inclusive hotel can operate, when it works to source locally and maximise local employment.
Silver: Castelli Hotel, Greece.
Image: Delphina Hotels & Resorts, Sardinia