Khiri Travel received the finalists’ acclaim in the category that Wild Asia said, “demonstrates exemplary practices in responsible tourism by providing quality travel experiences that conserve natural environments, wildlife, and benefit local communities by providing a sustainable livelihood for the future”.

Khiri Travel Group VP of Sales Andre van der Marck received the accolade on behalf of Khiri Travel during the award ceremony at PATA Travel Mart in Bangalore, India.

Wild Asia’s Most Inspiring Responsible Tourism Operator category “recognizes tourism operators that excel by taking into consideration all the key principles of responsible tourism (maximum positive impacts to the local community and minimum negative impacts to the environment) and awards innovation for this most inspiring tourism business of the year”.

Van der Marck said: “Khiri Travel salutes Nikoi Island and El Nido Resorts. It’s an honor to be mentioned along side them. With our Travelife certification, Khiri Travel has made leaps and bounds as a responsible tourism operator this year and I think the judges recognized that effort.”

Other winners were: Lanjia Lodge, Thailand for Best in Community Engagement and Development; Gaya Island, Malaysia for Best in Protection of Natural Areas & Wildlife Conservation; Jetwing Yala, Sri Lanka for Best in Resource Efficiency; Kinyei, Cambodia for Most Inspiring Responsible Tourism Initiative. Established in 2006, the Wild Asia annual Responsible Tourism Awards aim to recognize operators who are making a positive difference in the destination where they operate by adopting sustainable management practices.

On its awards, Wild Asia said: ”We believe that in rewarding the bright sparks, more operators from the region will be encouraged to step forward and to share and inspire change from within the travel industry, beginning with operators closest to us.”