Three CSR and responsible tourism initiatives based in Africa, Asia and South America were distinguished with a “TO DO” Award at ITB Berlin 2024.
The award ceremony of the TO DO Award Socially Responsible Tourism and the TO DO Award Human Rights in Tourism took place on 6 March, 2024 with ITB CSR Commissionner Rika Jean-François presenting the awards. The awards ceremony highlighted ITB Berlin’s commitment to CSR as a founding member of The Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism.
With the international “TO DO Award” competition, The Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism has been honouring initiatives that are committed to sustainable and socially responsible tourism since 1995. Winners are selected for their active involvement of the local population, the creation of income opportunities for locals in tourism and the promotion of intercultural encounters between hosts and guests.
This year’s TO DO Award 2024 for socially responsible tourism went to the Community Tourism Yunguilla project in Ecuador and the Fernweh Fair Travel – Uplifting Communities project in India. The first awarded an initiative in the UNESCO-classified biosphere reserve Chocó Andino de Pichincha to transform a community towards ecotourism in a bio-diverse forest region. The second is a women-led project in the Indian Himalayas offering work opportunities to vulnerable groups such as widows and victims of domestic violence. It combines nature-based adventures with indigenous culture.
The TO DO Human Rights in Tourism Award 2024 went to Michael Kajubi from Uganda. For many years, he and his foundation the McBern Foundation have been committed works to creating non-discriminatory spaces and jobs for people living on the margins of Ugandan society, including youths, elderly people and those who experience family rejection due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The foundation’s work focuses in particular on educational programmes, skill development and support in the health sector.
Photos: © Messe Berlin GmbH
