INSPIRE GLOBAL TOURISM AWARDS 2026 FINALISTS
The Inspire Global Tourism Awards #IGTAs are the only Awards exclusively dedicated to celebrating the tour operators and changemakers redefining tourism through positive impact, meaningful experiences, and deep regional expertise. #StoriesInMotion
The awards recognise excellence across three core pillars:
✨ INSPIRE – inspiring purposeful travel and meaningful connection
🌱 IMPACT – creating measurable positive outcomes for visitors, communities, culture, wildlife, and the environment
📚 INFORM – deepening understanding through authentic and insightful storytelling
RECOGNISING THE SPECIALIST TOUR OPERATORS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF POSITIVE IMPACT TOURISM!
Following an initial assessment by Inspire Global against the published judging criteria, the following finalists have been selected across Africa, Asia and Latin America. These organisations represent some of the UK’s leading specialist tour operators, recognised for their regional expertise, inspiring travel experiences and commitment to creating positive outcomes for destinations, communities, culture and the natural world.
Specialist Tour Operator of the Year
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AWARD CRITERIA
The Positive Impact Outstanding Contribution Award recognises an individual, whose work has consistently advanced positive impact tourism at a global or systemic level. This award celebrates visionaries whose innovation, leadership, and dedication have inspired change across the sector, creating ripple effects that go far beyond a single project. Please note - this category is NOT open for submissions as it is awarded by Inspire Global following an internal appraisal and evaluation by its management and Ambassadors.
We believe positive impact tourism is to create socio-cultural, environmental, and economic benefits through tourism, that enrich the lives of both visitors and the host communities.
All entries will be assessed against the Inspire Global Tourism Awards’ three core pillars:
- IMPACT – does the operator create real, measurable positive change within the region?
Judges will assess: tangible community benefit; environmental stewardship or conservation outcomes; protection of local culture and heritage; ethical partnerships and local collaboration; evidence and transparency of impact.
- INSPIRE – does the operator inspire purposeful travel and meaningful connection? Judges will assess: authentic storytelling; ability to emotionally engage travellers; distinctive regional positioning; respectful representation of destinations and communities; evidence of inspiring curiosity and action.
- IMPACT – does the operator create real, measurable positive change within the region?
- INFORM – does the operator deepen understanding of the region? Judges will assess: quality and depth of regional knowledge; educational value for travellers; focus on lesser-known perspectives or experiences; cultural sensitivity and nuance; ability to move beyond superficial tourism narratives.
- These awards are designed to recognise meaningful contribution – not company size or marketing budget. Entries will be judged relative to the organisation’s scale and operating model, with equal consideration given to independent specialists, boutique operators, and larger organisations demonstrating genuine regional leadership and positive impact.
- Judges will score each entry using a point system, with a maximum of 100 points, divided as follows – IMPACT = 40 points; INSPIRE = 30 points; INFORM = 30 points.
- Judges will exercise caution around entries that: make vague sustainability claims without evidence; overuse ‘generic’ responsible tourism language; emphasis luxury without meaningful impact; showcase transactional rather than collaborative relationships; prioritise image over substance; demonstrate little understanding of local context.
- Judges will approach each entry with openness, curiosity, and fairness – recognising that transformational impact can come from both a single passionate founder and a global organisation operating responsibly at scale. The goal is not to reward the biggest. The goal is to recognise the most meaningful.
The Awards Countdown
Join us in London along with thought-leaders and senior travel industry members.
18 May 2026
22 June 2026
6 July 2026
2 September 2026