WTM Latin America 2026 rewards responsible tourism initiatives

The second day of WTM Latin America 2026 brought together debates on distribution, sustainability, technology and consumer trends, in addition to celebrating the 6th edition of the Responsible Tourism Award. In the content section, distributed across the three theaters of the event, the debates advanced from a more structural vision on distribution and regeneration of destinations to practical discussions on sustainability, loyalty via technology and reading of trends applied to sales, a cut that connected impact, data and commercial strategy in sequence. The afternoon was marked by the delivery of 26 trophies to the initiatives highlighted in the sixth edition of the contest.

Key debates: sustainable distribution, technology and loyalty

One of the highlights of the theater Technology & Innovation it was the panel “From inventory to impact: how travel distribution can regenerate destinations” which brought together Mariana Aldrigui, Alexandre Oliveira, Emilio Inés and Gisela Blok. The panelists defended sustainable distribution at all stages, capable of connecting companies, destinations and experiences and, at the same time, strengthening small entrepreneurs and the diversity of communities. Alexandre warned that seemingly small decisions can widen inequalities when made without awareness, while Emilio and Mariana emphasized that regenerative tourism only gains scale with indicators, data intelligence and chain integration.

Another notable panel was “Challenges on the path to sustainability: stories of the impact on adventure destinations” , con Marianne Costa, Douglas Simões, Nicolás Caram and Anna Carolina Lobo. The speakers shared learnings and warnings, such as the need to put communities and biodiversity at the center, and the fact that the reduction of fauna and flora since the 1970s would have reached the 95% in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the technological field, the panel “From Booking to Bonding: How Technology is Redefining Loyalty” , con Melanie Teixeira, Guilherme Padilha and Cinthia dos Santosdefended that loyalty ceased to be a mere points program and became a relationship supported by data, continuous personalization and real-time experiences.

Global trends with a Latin accent and the growth of the Mexican market

Mariana Aldrigui also presented “Global trends with a Latin accent: what matters for our markets” translating international insights into the regional commercial reality. He stated that the price no longer decides alone and that the choice of destination passes through identitypointing out four vectors of opportunity in Latin America: search for identity, bleisure, 50+ traveler and technology as a reorganizer. For more information about the fair, you can visit the The official site of WTM Latin America.

For its part, Miguel Aguiñigahead of the Tourism Innovation, Sustainability and Professionalization Unit of the Ministry of Tourism of Mexico, announced that, since the implementation of the electronic visa for Brazilians on February 5the volume of approved views grew by 460% adding up to about 12,000 authorizations in one month. With this trend, he projected that Brazil could climb to fifth position among the countries that send tourists to Mexico by 2027.

6th edition of the Responsible Tourism Award: the winners

The handover ceremony 6th Responsible Tourism Award meeting 192 initiatives from 16 countries. Bianca Pizzolito, Event Leader of WTM Latin Americahighlighted that the award has become one of the most anticipated moments for symbolizing tourism as transformation agent.

Category 1 – Climate change and biodiversity conservation

• Oro: Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata and Lagoa Misteriosa (Brazil)
• Plata: Amazon Emotions (Brazil) and Terra Peninsular (Mexico)
• Bronze: São Sebastião Tourism Secretariat (Brazil)

Category 2 – Diversity, equity and inclusion

• Oro: Cafe of Smiles (Nicaragua)
• Plata: Tlachtli Organization (Mexico) and Caboclos House Ecolodge (Brazil)
• Bronze: TURISTEA – Inclusive Tourism (Brazil)

Category 3 – Socioeconomic impact and peacebuilding

• Oro: Montes Collection (Colombia)
• Plata: Alagados Community Tourism (Brazil) and Fundación Travolution Colombia (Colombia)
• Bronze: District Municipality of Capachica (Peru)

Category 4 – Networking for responsible tourism

• Oro: Civil Association Isla Maciel Community Museum (Argentina)
• Plata: Brumadinho Sustainable Tourism Network (Brazil)
• Bronze: Union of Co’ox Mayab cooperatives (Mexico) and Cartagena de Indias Convention & Visitors Bureau (Colombia)

Category 5 – Indigenous tourism and traditional communities

• Oro: Kíichpam K’áax ecotourism center (Mexico)
• Plata: Quichwa Expedition Native Travel (Ecuador)
• Bronze: Raíces Program – Impact Hub San José (Costa Rica) and Associação Céu de Montanhas (Brazil)

Category 6 – Rescue of memory and valuation of historical heritage

• Oro: Maranhão Gastronomy Museum – São Luis (Brazil)
• Plata: Agrotourism Agency Getting to know the Nariñense Pacific (Colombia)
• Bronze: Mitote Tours – Xochimilco (Mexico)

Exclusive category – Regenerative Tourism

• Oro: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve (Costa Rica)
• Plata: Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve (Chile)
• Bronze: Plantar Project – Minas Gerais (Brazil)