DMC – Large
Winner: Tropic Travel
Judges commented that Tropic Travel exemplifies what it means to place people – both travellers and local communities – at the very heart of tourism. The ‘May I Introduce You‘ programme drew particular praise for creating direct, meaningful connections between guests and local producers, craftspeople and chefs across Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Judges also commended long-term staff training programmes and the landmark achievement of organisational carbon neutrality in 2025. Traveller contributions supporting conservation and restoration projects across the Andes and Amazon further demonstrated, in the judges’ view, a business whose positive impact on communities and ecosystems is both genuine and measurable.
DMC – Small
Winner: Dalca Travel
Judges praised Dalca Travel’s consistent delivery of carbon neutral tours that connect guests to local traditions through hands-on experiences with artists and photographers. They were also impressed by the company’s commitment to under-represented rural artisans – providing fair wages and materials – and its deliberate prioritisation of locally-owned businesses, guides and drivers. The Dalca Travel Academy was singled out as the creative engine behind both its original experiences and continuous staff development. The company’s 2025 social and environmental commitments including rewilding donations, school support and annual volunteering further reinforced, in the judges’ view, a business with authentic purpose at its core.
Boutique Hotel
Winner: Art Hotels Ecuador
Judges commented that Art Hotels Ecuador’s remarkable 148% increase in guests in 2025 reflects a business doing something genuinely special. What stood out was the group’s deep connection to place, immersing guests in local traditions, culture and flavours, while collaborating with local authorities to revitalise neighbourhoods through murals and cultural events. Judges highlighted the sustainability credentials, noting that 60% of products are sourced within 100km of each property, championing artisanal producers, while cutting emissions. Newly installed heat pumps further demonstrated a commitment to energy efficiency. Art Hotel Ecuador’s workforce, judges noted, is equally prioritised with staff having access to 5,000 training programmes alongside wellness benefits including discounted healthcare through a dedicated HR hub.
Lodge
Winner: Pikaia Lodge
Judges were impressed by Pikaia Lodge’s unwavering commitment to responsible tourism across every dimension of its operation. The Conscious Navigations approach drew particular praise for delivering thoughtfully planned excursions that minimise environmental impact, while deepening guests’ understanding of the Galapagos’ fragile ecosystems. Judges also commended the lodge’s investment in its people, with rising guides learning from senior colleagues, alongside Food & Beverage training and English language classes. Community impact was equally tangible with judges noting the provision of English classes for local residents, the refurbishment of a health centre, and improvements to water supply at a local school.
Cruise Operator
The judges were unable to separate two cruise operators, so for the first time, LATA has awarded both.
Joint Winner: Aqua Expeditions
Judges noted that following impressive growth in 2025, Aqua Expeditions demonstrated a compelling blend of guest experience innovation and genuine sustainability commitment. The launch of Circolo Aqua – a loyalty programme personalising every aspect of the guest journey – drew praise, alongside a partnership with The Explorers Club bringing expert-led expeditions to life. Judges were particularly impressed by the company’s environmental credentials: vessels emitting 65% less than US EPA standards, reduced single-use plastics, and local sourcing wherever possible. The collaboration with 4Ocean, removing over 25,000lbs of plastic from waterways, and biodiversity partnerships with SERNANP and the Charles Darwin Foundation, confirmed Aqua Expeditions as a standout responsible cruise operator.
Joint Winner: Golden Galapagos
Judges commented that Golden Galapagos has achieved something rarely done well: elevating luxury while deepening its responsible tourism credentials simultaneously. Sweeping renovations aboard M/C Endemic and M/C Elite, including panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and refined natural finishes, drew praise for keeping guests connected to the environment, alongside culinary investment with chef Elvis completing Le Cordon Bleu training in Peru. Eliminating single-use plastics, introducing purified water systems and implementing waste management protocols culminated in B Corporation certification in 2025. Judges were equally moved by the community commitment, installing Starlink in three local schools and supporting women’s economic empowerment through the WISE programme.
Tour Operator – Small
Winner: Pura Aventura
Judges commented that Pura Aventura’s 2025 programme represented exactly the kind of bold, purposeful travel this award celebrates. Five ambitious new itineraries – Rio & Beyond, Bahia to Rio, Altiplano Adventure, Chile Bolivia & Peru and Winter in Chile – were built around genuine cultural immersion rather than tourist checkboxes. Direct contracting with small, family-run suppliers was highlighted as a meaningful way of keeping money in local communities. One guest review summed it up perfectly: “Bespoke, detailed. The real culture, not a tick box of experiences.” Judges also admired that almost every team member has travelled to the region personally, first-hand knowledge being non-negotiable at Pura Aventura.
Tour Operator– Large
Winner: Journey Latin America
Judges noted that 46 years of expertise has not dimmed Journey Latin America’s appetite for ambition. The 2025 programme saw an impressive wave of new adventures; from three tours in the Guianas and a Magdalena river cruise unlocking Colombia, to fresh Galapagos sailings, central Brazil’s Chapada dos Veadeiros and a Mexico-Guatemala combination. Judges commended the team’s active efforts to drive awareness of Latin America through trade shows and collaborations with media and tourism boards. The company’s social and environmental commitments were equally recognised, including a fundraising blog for a Colombian initiative, donations to protect biodiversity in Patagonia and the Galapagos, Travelife Partner status, and three new Ethy sustainability badges.
Product Launch
Winner: CATA – Central America Big Day
Judges were impressed by the impact of the Central America Big Day, a smart, low-impact initiative by the Central American Tourism Agency uniting birdwatchers for one extraordinary day of participatory wildlife discovery. Using platforms including eBird and iNaturalist, participants generated real-time biodiversity insights while simultaneously positioning Central America as a world-class nature destination. The judges highlighted the 2026 results as remarkable with more than 850 bird species recorded through eBird checklists and over 445 documented on iNaturalist. The combination of community involvement, measurable conservation data and destination promotion made this, in the judges’ view, an outstanding example of innovation in responsible tourism.
Marketing Campaign
Winner: Swoop Patagonia
Judges commented that The Puma Hunter is a masterclass in purposeful storytelling. This powerful short documentary follows Mirko Utrovicich, once one of Patagonia’s most successful poachers, now a committed conservationist working with the Cerro Guido Conservation Foundation. Judges praised the beautiful cinematography and heartfelt interviews that chart a compelling journey from ranching to conservation, inspiring travel to Torres del Paine National Park. The campaign’s reach was equally impressive noted the judges, expanding through blogs and educational content to more than 100,000 viewers and generating 500 enquiries, successfully positioning puma tracking as a unique and meaningful travel experience.
Workplace of the Year
Winner – Tropic Travel
Judges commented that Tropic Travel’s workplace culture is one built on genuine loyalty, ambition and care. With over half the team having clocked five or more years, the judges noted a depth of passion and commitment that is rare in the industry. Growth is clearly a shared goal. Training spans every corner of the business, from HR and commercial strategy to day-to-day operations, with each department crafting personalised development programmes that blend professional ambition with genuine wellbeing. In the judges’ view, Tropic Travel is proof that a thriving team and a thriving business are one and the same.
Significant Contribution
Winner – Raul Garcia Gutierrez – CEO Anakonda Amazon Cruises
Judges recognised Raul Garcia Gutierrez for a contribution of extraordinary scope and lasting significance. Building Anakonda Amazon Cruises entirely from the ground up, Raul has created the region’s only sustainable cruise line and, over more than 20 years, forged meaningful connections between travellers from around the world and the Amazon Rainforest. Judges were moved by the scale of his community impact generating local jobs, sourcing locally, and building a sustainable economy for over 25 communities along Ecuador’s Napo River. His tireless efforts to protect wildlife, cultural heritage and local livelihoods, the judges concluded, represent a lifetime of positive impact that continues to grow.
