EXO Foundation’s first Sustainability Awards support transformative tourism projects in Asia
The EXO Foundation, a non-profit organisation supporting sustainable tourism initiatives, held its first Sustainability Awards ceremony yesterday (September 28) on Zoom.
Prizes totalling US$40,000 in value were awarded to winners and runners-up.
The goal of the awards was to identify, support and promote exemplary projects that seek to innovate sustainability in Asia.
Alexandra Michat, Chief Purpose Officer of EXO Travel Group, said: “Today, we are very honoured to back the efforts and the work of organisations that champion transformative projects.
“Through the organisation of these awards, we are aiming to enhance collaboration among responsible tourism stakeholders in our destinations and to ensure that people and nature will continue to be preserved, protected, and cared for.”
From 50 applicants, the field was narrowed to 20 nominees across five categories:
- Climate Action
- Circular Economy
- Regenerating Nature
- Protecting Cultural Heritage, and
- Empowering Communities
EXO Foundation enlisted a panel of internationally-recognised sustainable tourism professionals to evaluate each nominee and vote according to its merits. They included:
- Nia Klatte, Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Specialist, Considerate Group
- Ayako Ezaki, Director of Training Strategies & Development, TrainingAid
- Charlotte Louwman‑Vogels, Founder & CEO, Fair Tourism Foundation
- Peter Richards, Project Manager, SWITCH ASIA — TOURLINK ECEAT
- Roi Ariel, General Manager, Global sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
- Aline van der Meulen, Travelife Approved Auditor, Travelife
- Bijan Khazai, Chief Executive Officer, Risklayer Gmbh — Hotel Resilient
- Jim Sano, Vice President of Travel, Tourism and Conservation, WWF
A sixth ‘People’s Choice Award’ was granted based on a public vote.
