The EXO Foundation, a non-profit organisation supporting sustainable tourism initiatives, held its first-ever Sustainability Awards on September 28, with more than twenty projects awarded prizes totalling US$40,000 in value.
Collaborating with LightBlue Consulting and Considerate Group, the awards aim to identify, support and promote exemplary projects that seek to innovate sustainability in Asia. From an initial fifty applicants, it was narrowed down to twenty nominees across five categories – Climate Action, Circular Economy, Regenerating Nature, Empowering Communities and Protecting Cultural Heritage.
A panel of internationally-recognised sustainable tourism professionals was enlisted to evaluate each nominee and vote according to its merits, with a sixth People’s Choice Award granted based on a month-long public vote.
In addition to the awards ceremony, EXO Foundation also hosted a panel discussion to further explore the role of sustainable practices in the tourism sector.
Alexandra Michat, chief purpose officer of EXO, said: “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.”
