Awards

Tourism can be a powerful tool for good, and socially responsible Brazilian hotels and tour operators are doing their part as seen in projects by the three finalists of BLTA's Sustainable Vision Award.

The winning project was Cristalino Lodge, awarded for maintaining Amazonian biodiversity within a nature reserve of primary forest covering an area of 11,399 hectares, a preservation project of enormous scale and complexity.

Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa was recognised as a finalist for MAMA Trancoso (Movimento Ambientalista Mukaú Aponem), an innovative education initiative co-created with NGO Despertar in 2017. The aim is to foster a generation of environmental activists and influencers among local youth. Ten students receive instruction by biologists and communication specialists 20-hours per week over 46 weeks, and produce actions and social media content to encourage greater environmental and social responsibility within their community.

The third finalist was Pousada Literária de Paraty for its Fazenda Bananal, an educational and sustainable agro-ecological project. Originally a 17th-century colonial farm, its renovation included the replantation of more than 20 thousand trees. Visitors are taught about the operation of an organic vegetable garden, agroforestry, birdwatching, dairy, and get to enjoy a farm-to-table restaurant.