The International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT Global) today announced the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) as the official sponsor of the 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Awards, strengthening Belize’s position among the world’s leading advocates for responsible, community-centered and sustainability-driven tourism.
The Global Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by the Belize Tourism Board, are hosted annually by ICRT Global in a prestigious awards ceremony on the Monday before World Travel Market in London and are attended by influential industry representatives from around the world.
The awards celebrate and recognize organizations and destinations that are delivering measurable, replicable, and scalable solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges. As sponsor, Belize will take a prominent role on the world stage, championing best practices and supporting changemakers across the globe.
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations of Belize, said: “Belize has long recognized that tourism must create meaningful benefits for the people and places that make our country unique. Our commitment to responsible travel is not a slogan; it is a national priority grounded in community partnership, cultural pride, and environmental stewardship. Sponsoring the 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Awards provides an opportunity to celebrate those driving real impact while sharing Belize’s experience as a destination building a more resilient and inclusive tourism future.”
Professor Harold Goodwin, founder of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, welcomed the partnership: “Belize has demonstrated time and again that responsible tourism is about taking responsibility and making tourism better for both host communities and visitors. The country’s vision, rooted in practical action rather than rhetoric, aligns perfectly with the values of the Global Responsible Tourism Awards. We are delighted to have Belize championing this global program in 2026.”
Belize’s leadership in responsible tourism has included hosting the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC) in San Pedro, bringing together more than 300 delegates from 29 countries to advance climate resilience, cultural preservation, community empowerment, and innovative financing for sustainable development. The conference highlighted Belize’s commitment to integrating blue, green, and orange economies into tourism planning.
This builds on Belize’s long-term National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan (NSTMP), which outlines a 2030 vision for tourism that protects natural and cultural heritage, strengthens local capacity, and ensures that tourism growth benefits Belizean communities while maintaining the country’s authenticity and environmental integrity.
As sponsor, the Belize Tourism Board will play a central role throughout the Responsible Tourism Awards cycle, including global promotion, engagement with finalists across multiple regions, and participation in the 2026 awards ceremony.
The partnership will amplify Belize’s voice in international tourism dialogue and support the global exchange of proven solutions addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, community wellbeing, and destination stewardship.
Regional Responsible Tourism Awards are first held in Latin America with LATA, Europe sponsored by easyJet holidays, Africa with WTM Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, as well as a worldwide Responsible Tourism Award for all other geographies. Entries remain open until 30 June for the worldwide Responsible Tourism Awards and the 2026 ICRT Indian Subcontinent Responsible Tourism Awards.
Winners of the regional awards automatically go on to compete for a Global Responsible Tourism Award sponsored by the Belize Tourism Board.
