Top 5 Innovators Revolutionizing Sustainable Travel

A visionary president leading his nation in the face of rising sea levels. A wine scion bringing together climate thought leaders. An activist galvanizing youth all over the world. These Global Vision Awards honorees are the voices we need now.

The iBestTravel Global Vision Awards aim to identify and honor companies, individuals, destinations, and organizations taking strides to develop more sustainable and responsible travel products, practices, and experiences. Not only are they demonstrating thought leadership and creative problem-solving, they are taking actionable steps to protect communities and environments globally. Moreover, they inspire industry colleagues and travelers to contribute positively.

The majority of our Global Vision Awards list consists of nonprofits, consortia, companies, and institutions, but what is any organization, really, without its people? In the past year, we’ve witnessed the immense power a single voice can have in motivating others to drive change through social media, activism, and sheer persistence. Greta Thunberg, Time‘s Person of the Year for 2019, stands out as one of the most prominent sustainability advocates. However, we are equally excited to highlight other leaders in their respective fields. — iBestTravel Editors

Daniela Fernandez

As a child in Ecuador in the 1990s, Daniela Fernandez enjoyed the clean, cold waters of the Pacific. Years later, attending a UN environment meeting as a first-year student at Georgetown, she learned about the jeopardy facing our oceans: collapsing marine ecosystems, inflexible reefs, acidifying oceans, and warming waters. Notably, she realized that she was the youngest person in the room. Consequently, at just 19 years old, she founded the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to educating her peers on global water issues and empowering them to enact change. The SOA global network unites leaders under 35 to develop economically viable initiatives that enhance the health of our oceans, fostering nearly two dozen marine technology-focused startups with seed funding and mentoring. One example is Loliware, which creates disposable straws and cups from seaweed-based bioplastic.

Greta Thunberg

Through passionate speeches and effective use of social media, climate-change warrior Greta Thunberg has energized young activists and, critically, illustrated the urgent need for environmental action from world governments. The impact of this movement on the travel industry is profound, particularly in Sweden, where passenger-rail companies have reported record-high earnings. However, Thunberg believes this is merely a starting point. Her mission is to initiate a collective global effort to combat carbon emissions and climate change, expressing concern for equity and the quality of life in developing nations. As she stated at the TEDx Stockholm conference in 2018, “What we do or don’t do right now will affect my entire life, and the lives of my children and grandchildren. What we do or don’t do right now, my generation can’t undo in the future.”

Thunberg understands the importance of leading by example. Nevertheless, she insists that each individual must make informed choices in their travels and collectively advocate for better practices from politicians and business leaders alike.

President Thomas Remengesau, Jr.

Under Remengesau’s visionary leadership, Palau, a nation of 340 islands in the western Pacific, has emerged as a leader in marine conservation. His administration has successfully banned single-use plastics, outlawed harmful sunscreen components, and curtailed agricultural runoff into the sea. This year, Palau established a marine sanctuary covering a vast area larger than California.

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Palau is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, and Remengesau has consistently advocated for climate action from world leaders, stating, “Our environment determines our health. Our environment determines our economy. Our environment is the basis of our cultural heritage and identity.”

Charles Carlow

The recent bushfires that ravaged vast areas of Australia have underscored the fragility of its ecosystems, highlighting the importance of environmental initiatives driven by Charles Carlow and his safari outfitter, Wild Bush Luxury. One such initiative is Arkaba Station, an eco-lodge on a 60,000-acre preserve in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges that remained unharmed by the fires. Arkaba allocates at least 2% of revenues towards conservation projects, including the relocation of non-native species and the replanting of native plants, providing critical habitats for vulnerable wildlife. Guests can even participate in conservation efforts by assisting in land surveys and setting up wildlife-monitoring systems, such as camera traps.

Julia Jackson

“I ask you to be a steward of the earth,” Julia Jackson urged attendees at the inaugural Grounded Summit in Sonoma, California. “We need to collaborate and act swiftly. Your task? Spread the word and get grounded.”

Numerous conferences tackle climate change; however, the Grounded Summit is distinct due to Jackson’s exceptional ability to convene diverse voices. Key discussions included a range of topics such as the global increase in wildfires, particularly relevant after the devastating Kincade fire impacted Sonoma County, obliterating her family vineyards and home. Nonetheless, this experience strengthened her determination to host the second Grounded Summit later this year in wine country, with the theme “Accelerate and Connect.”