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We have been continuously recognized for our support for conservation and social responsibility
Highly Commended Best Tour Operator For Cultural Engadgement 2009 awarded by Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards
We are proud to say that our work continues to be recognised. This time we have received two awards the first one of Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 as Highly Commended Best Tour Operator For Cultural Engagement.
Best Sustainable Tourism Project 2009 awarded by Latin America Travel Association (LATA)
And for a second year, Tropic´s Huaorani Ecolodge won the award as the ‘Best Sustainable Tourism Project’ 2009 by the Latin American Travel Association (LATA).
Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth by National Geographic
"Seeing Ecuador in-depth is what you can expect from a Tropic Journeys tour: trekking through the Choc-bio cloud forest (a biodiversity hot spot); hiking into the interior of the Galapagos islands; snorkeling, hiking, and looking for howler monkeys and jaguarundis in coastal Machalilla National Park. The company utilizes ecolodges throughout the country. This year it debuts its own lodge, Huaorani Ecolodge, which consists of a collection of traditional palm-thatched, solar-powered cabins. It is operated in conjunction with the Huaorani people, an Amazonian tribe whose members will take you dugout canoeing and hiking."
A comprehensive ranking of the world's top outfitters—surveyed, sorted, and scored. Tropic debuted this year in the rating.
Best Sustainable Tourism Project 2008 by LATA
The Latin America Travel Association last november held its inaugural LATA Travel Awards ceremony, with members voting for the outstanding performers in eight categories.
In the LATA awards the Huaorani Ecolodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon was named Best Sustainable Tourism Project. Visitors to the comfortable, minimal impact, 5 room lodge experience the richness of the Huaorani culture and their natural environment, while learning about the challenges facing the tribe. Community Association President Moi Enomenga (photo) accepted on behalf of the Huaorani communities involved.
Ecotourism Showcase 2000 Award
The Ecotourism Showcase was first envisioned at a meeting of non-profits and travel suppliers at the 1999 Non-Profits in Travel Conference (NPTC). At this meeting a committee of individuals interested in making the Ecotourism Showcase a reality was formed. A small amount of money was raised to help pay for the Showcase's administration and to sponsor finalists participation in the conference, and The Ecotourism Society (TES) was contracted to implement it. Funds were donated by San Diego Zoo, International Expeditions, and several anonymous donors.
Committee members were solicited for their input on what the Ecotourism Showcase application should contain and who it should be sent to. Committee members agreed on a set of criteria for potential applicants. Each project was evaluated for its:
1. support and sharing of benefits with local people,
2. "product excellence" resulting from and reflected in staff training, interpretation programs, itinerary development, responsible promotion, client satisfaction, etc,
3. support of biodiversity conservation, and
4. lack of previous extensive media coverage or awards in the past. These criteria along with directions on how to apply were distributed in a two page application form.
Seven jurors from various parts of the Americas were asked to evaluate the applications. The jurors' diverse backgrounds brought industry, government and NGO expertise to the evaluation process.
TO DO 97! Award for Responsible Tourism
TROPIC encourages the kind of tourism which is compatible with the environment, by integrating it in the lifestyle of the population which is so close to nature, and also by propagating the culture of the Huaorani so deeply rooted in the nature (of the forest). The demand on the part of the tourists for this kind of experience brings about economic advantages to those who preserve nature and culture. Through this “tourist validation“, too, nature and culture become a precious good worthy of being preserved.
