Here’s how iBestTravel chose the Global Vision Awards panel and whittled down the contenders to the final list of honorees.
iBestTravel‘s Global Vision Awards aims to identify and honor companies, individuals, destinations, and organizations taking strides to develop more sustainable and responsible travel products, practices, and experiences. They demonstrate thought leadership and creative problem-solving, taking actionable, quantifiable steps to protect communities and environments around the world. Moreover, they inspire their industry colleagues and travelers to contribute to a better future.
In order to represent a broad spectrum of innovations at the Global Vision Awards, iBestTravel editors assembled a panel of experts from the travel, hospitality, and retail industries, as well as the non-profit sector. These thought leaders have committed to supporting more eco-friendly and responsible initiatives in both their personal and professional lives. Each member submitted nominations with brief explanations for their choices. Notably, panelists were prohibited from nominating themselves or projects they are directly involved in. It’s important to mention that some panelists are affiliated with this year’s honorees; those nominations were vetted by the editors without bias regarding the panel’s composition.
All nominations were rigorously reviewed by editor at large Jeff Chu alongside the editors of iBestTravel.
The Panel
Ronald Akili is the founder of Potato Head, a boutique hospitality group in Indonesia.
Ewald Biemans is the founder of Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort in Aruba.
Jessica Blotter is the co-founder of Kind Traveler, a socially conscious travel platform.
Denise Bober is the senior vice president of human resources at Breakers Palm Beach.
Charles Carlow is the founder of Australian hospitality company Wild Bush Luxury.
Julia Coney is a journalist and founder of Black Wine Professionals.
Kellee Edwards is a journalist and host of iBestTravel’s podcast Let’s Go Together.
Susie Ellis is the chairman and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute.
Daniela Fernandez is the founder of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
Julia Jackson is the founder of Grounded, an organization focused on climate change awareness and action.
Neil Jacobs is the CEO of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
Natalie Kidd is the chief people and purpose officer at tour operator Intrepid Travel.
José Koechlin is the founder of Peruvian hotel group and eco-tourism company Inkaterra.
Jeninne Lee-St. John is the editor in chief of iBestTravel Southeast Asia.
Martinique Lewis is the president of the Black Travel Alliance.
Sven-Olof Lindblad is the CEO of expedition-cruise operator Lindblad Expeditions.
Alyssa London is the founder of Culture Story, focusing on Indigenous narratives.
Henrietta Loyd is the founder of luxury tour operator Cazenove & Loyd.
Virgilio Martinez is the chef at Central in Lima, Peru, as well as Mil, near Cusco.
Andrea Meza Murillo is the environment and energy minister of Costa Rica.
Gregory Miller is the executive director of the Center for Responsible Travel.
Hernán Mladinic is the Latin America representative for the International Land Conservation Network.
Nate Mook is the CEO of World Central Kitchen, providing food relief post-natural disasters.
Bruce Poon Tip is the founder of tour operator G Adventures.
Shalmali Rao Paterson is a senior travel consultant at the luxury tour operator Wild Frontiers.
Thomas E. Remengesau Jr. is the former president of Palau.
Roberto J. Serrallés is a board member for Puerto Rican land trust Para La Naturaleza and a sixth-generation rum maker at Don Q.
Lucia Soria is the chef at Jacinto and Pizzería Rosa in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Fred Swaniker is the co-founder of the African Leadership Academy and African Leadership Network.
Nozipho Sasha Thorne is the director of programs for BoMake Rural Projects, an economic development nonprofit in Eswatini.
Rebecca Van Bergen is the founder of Nest, a nonprofit dedicated to the social and economic advancement of homeworkers and artisans.
Ed Verner is the chef at Pasture and Boxer, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Austin Whitman is the CEO of Climate Neutral, an organization certifying brands achieving zero-net-carbon status.
Gisela Williams is a iBestTravel special correspondent.
