There are many hospitality awards out there, but only a handful that are for real – meaning you don't have to “pay to play”.  One of them is the World Legacy Award by National Geographic.  Honored to be named as finalists in the “Earth Changers” category are the Cayuga Collection, along with Finch Bay Eco Hotel in Galapagos and ITC Hotels in India.

Those at the Cayuga Collection have many reasons to be proud of the work that they have done, and continue to do, throughout their properties.  Whether it has been their commitment to providing year around employment to a 100% local workforce, banning plastic water bottles, or providing their guests with bamboo straws for their drinks, the collection hotels strive to educate their guests on the “Cayuga Way” of blending luxury and sustainability.

Beyond the work that is visible to their guests at the hotel level, the Cayuga Collection has also worked to aid scientific research to protect highly-endangered wild feline populations, and through their NGO, Earth Equilibrium, they continue to provide environmental education to children in areas surrounding the hotels and lodges.

The World Legacy Awards, a partnership between National Geographic and ITB Berlin, showcase the leading travel and tourism companies, organisations and destinations — ranging from entire countries to small islands and from urban hotels to jungle retreats — driving the sustainable tourism transformation of the global travel industry.

This year's World Legacy Awards entries spanned the planet, representing 45 countries and six continents, showcasing how sustainable tourism has no boundaries. Finalists in five award categories were selected by an international team of more than 20 judges. A multi-step judging process also included on-site inspections of each finalist.  The Cayuga Collection Hotels and Lodges were visited by a judge in early November this year.

Costas Christ, Chairman of National Geographic World Legacy Awards, said, “We have reached a tipping point as more of the travel industry understands that there can be no future for tourism without sustainability, including environmentally-friendly business practices, protection of cultural and natural heritage, and tangible social and economic benefits to local people in travel destinations.”

Cayuga and thier fellow finalists can look forward to a trip to ITB Berlin in March were they will be eagerly waiting for the announcement: “And the winner is…”

About The Cayuga Collection: The Cayuga Collection consists of 8 ecolodges, resorts, and sustainable hotels throughout Costa Rica and Nicaragua.  All Cayuga properties specialise in creating the symbiosis of sustainability and luxury, always providing a sense of place by taking into account local culture and customs.  To Cayuga, sustainability is about more than reusing your towel twice and environmental initiatives.  The luxury hospitality group earned a Condé Nast Traveler World Savers award in 2010 and 2012 for its social responsibility, and a Travel + Leisure Global Vision award for Environmental Leadership in 2010.  Its properties have earned four and five leaves from the country's Cámara Nacional de Ecoturismo.  Cayuga works with local communities to train and employ local people and improve local living and learning conditions.  Each of its properties is involved in conservation and community development, and the company even created a public charity called Equilibrium to further its reach and impact.  For more information about all of Cayuga's properties and experiences, visit www.cayugaonline.com.