The Adventure Travel Awards are the UK's only awards dedicated to recognising and rewarding the businesses and individuals who support, grow and promote the adventure travel industry. Launched in 2016, the first annual awards, sponsored by Turismo Chile, received a tremendous response with a wide range of nominations from the trade.

The Award winners were announced at the Adventure Travel Conference held at London Olympia, on Thursday 19th January 2017, with a ceremony hosted by TV broadcaster (and keen traveller) Kate Humble.  

Lyn Hughes, chair of judges for the Awards said, 'The Awards and the Adventure Travel Conference helped kick off what we predict will be an epic year for the Adventure Travel industry. There are so many unsung heroes in the adventure travel sector, that we felt it necessary to create the awards to raise the profile of the work and overall contribution these businesses and individuals make.' 

There are five categories in the awards: Marketing Campaign of the Year, Innovation of the Year, Giving Back, Travel Agent / Agency of the Year and Contribution to Adventure Travel. 

Hughes went on to say 'The judges were overwhelmed with the standard of entries received. This is testament to the dedication the businesses in this sector of the industry have in making the exploration of the world more accessible for all, through sustainable and responsible travel.'

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

Marketing Campaign (sponsored by Accord Marketing)

This category awards a successful marketing campaign, whether B2B or B2C, and whatever the budget and the channels used. 

Shortlist:

• Jazz FM Campaign, Exodus Travels

• With Age Comes Experience, Explore (Highly Commended)

• • • ExtraJordanary, Jordan Tourism Board 
  • • Hear Our Story, St Helena Tourism 
  • • Bike Boxing Video Campaign, TDA Global Cycling 

Winner: Exodus Travels, Jazz FM Campaign

Exodus Travels worked hard to make this more than just another holiday competition on radio. The level of engagement was truly impressive, generating high levels of awareness. What made this campaign really stand out though was the conversion of enquiries received to bookings. 

Innovation of the Year (sponsored by Wanderlust Travel Media)

This category was looking for any innovation in adventure travel in its broadest sense. 

Shortlist:

• • • Transcaucasion Trail, Transcaucasian Trail Association
  • • Velez Waterproof Jacket - PFC-free & Detox-friendly, Paramo (Highly Commended)
  • • Gorilla Habituation Program, Uganda 
  • • The Bush Rover, The Bush Rover Company 
  • • Via Ferrata - Jebel Jais, Ras al Khaimah 

Winner: Transcaucasian Trail Association, Transcaucasian Trail

The Transcaucasian Trail Association are building a new long-distance hiking trail across the Caucasus mountains to make hiking safer and more accessible to everyone while increasing economic opportunities for local communities. 

This is a genuine case of true trailblazing and innovation in every sense. Driven by a group of idealistic outdoor and travel enthusiasts, this will open up previously unreachable places, and help change the lives of the communities involved for the better.

Giving Back (sponsored by Andorra Tourist Board)

This category was looking for an outstanding example of an organisation giving something back to the planet.

Shortlist

• • • The Hankar Women's Eco Cafe in Ladakh, Exodus Travels
  • • Bike Workshop Enterprises in Africa, Abercrombie & Kent  (Highly Commended)
  • • Rewarding Staff Loyalty, Explore Worldwide 
  • • Feel Good Breaks, HF Holidays 
  • • Make Travel Matter, Travel Matters Ltd 

Winner: Exodus Travels, The Hanker Women's Eco Cafe in Ladakh

Exodus Travels' work in the Markha Valley enables the local community to use tourism to their advantage, and tackles the growing environmental issue of waste created by visitors to the region. This project aims to provide women with an income from tourism, reduce poverty and preserve Ladhaki culture, as well as reduce the amount of waste along the trekking route.

Travel Agent / Agency (sponsored by G Adventures)

This category was looking for an outstanding travel agent who has successfully promoted and developed interest in adventure travel to their clients. 

Shortlist:

• • • Karen Simmonds, Travel Matters
  • • Gerard Heelan, Travel Counsellors (Highly commended)

Winner: Travel Matters, Karen Simmonds

Karen's agency puts a heavy emphasis on sustainable tourism and community benefits, an ethos which is at the heart of adventure travel. 

Contribution to Adventure Travel (sponsored by Turismo Chile)

This award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to adventure travel in its broadest sense, whether through being a trailblazer, helping others, broadening its appeal or bringing it to the consciousness of the public. 

Winner: Derek Moore

Derek has a long history in the UK's adventure travel industry, having worked in all aspects of the business from tour leading to running one of the leading adventure travel businesses (Explore Worldwide) to advising and consulting. He has spotted and nurtured many people who are key in adventure travel today, and his name has become synonymous with the sector. 

 –  Ends – 

The Adventure Travel Awards form part of the Adventure Travel Conference. Adventure Travel Conference is the UK's only travel trade event for the adventure and experiential travel industry which takes place at London Olympia each year in January. A joint event between Escape Events and Wanderlust Travel Media, it consists of two days; a B2B Marketplace plus the Adventure Travel Awards, and a full business conference.

The Adventure Travel Awards were judges by a panel of independent judges from across the travel industry. For more information about the Adventure Travel Awards, including details about the winners, highly commended and shortlist entries please contact chair of judges, Lyn Hughes of Wanderlust Travel Media (Lyn.Hughes@wanderlust.co.uk).

For more information about the Adventure Travel Conference visit www.adventuretravelconference.co.uk or contact Pru Goudie (pru.goudie@adventuretravelconference.co.uk).