Futurismo Azores Adventures Selected as the Regenerative Agency of the Year

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In a ceremony held during the Climate Week in New York, Futurismo was chosen as the Regenerative Agency of the Year at the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2023. 

Since 2019, the American organization Regenerative Travel has been at the forefront of promoting the tourism industry towards a regenerative future. What started as a mission to connect travellers with environmentally and socially impactful hotels has evolved into an association. The main goal of Regenerative Travel is to foster collaboration and synergy among all key players in the tourism industry, bringing together hotels, travel agents, DMCs, and tour operators under a unified vision. 

The Regenerative Travel Impact Awards celebrate the efforts of those in the tourism sector who are leading the way toward a more sustainable and regenerative future. The impact of travel on our planet has never been more evident; the Regenerative Agency of the Year award is a recognition for those who are not only redefining how we explore the world but also shaping it for the better. According to Regenerative Travel, amidst the hustle and bustle of travel agencies, destination management companies, and tour operators, there is a set of visionary organizations that have stood out from the norm. These are the entities that have understood the urgent need to go beyond the paradigms of traditional tourism and embrace regenerative practices and initiatives. 

They are the ones catalyzing positive change, intertwining sustainability at the core of their operations, and initiating a movement that influences how we engage with travel. For this reason, and according to Regenerative Travel, the awards are not just about recognizing excellence; they are a celebration of the profound impact that can be achieved through a commitment to regeneration. As we face challenges ranging from climate change to cultural preservation, these awards seek to highlight the unsung heroes dedicated to creating a harmonious balance between exploration and conservation, growth and preservation. 

The awards are divided into 13 categories, with the addition of the “People’s Choice,” a category determined by public vote. The categories include Hotel of the Year, Agency of the Year, Travel Initiative of the Year, Storyteller of the Year, Change Maker of the Year, People’s Choice, Regenerative Design, Regenerative Travel Experience, Health and Wellness, Community, Conservation, Food and Agriculture, Education, and Climate Innovation. 

Futurismo is the only Portuguese project to be featured, alongside 65 companies and individuals from 33 countries across all continents (Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, Aruba, Canada, USA, Ecuador, UK, New Zealand, South Africa, Belize, Antarctica, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Bhutan, Morocco, Santa Lucia, India, Peru, Oman, Jamaica, Malaysia, Zambia, Madagascar, Namibia, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Chile, Armenia, Nepal, Laos, Botswana, Maldives). 

The competition’s jury is composed of internationally renowned figures in their respective fields, including Angelique Brathwaite (Director Of Science & Co-Founder At Blue Finance), Bruce Poon Tip (Founder Of G Adventures), Kathleen Rellihan (Travel Journalist / Former Newsweek Editor), Kelley Louise (Founder Of Impact Travel Alliance), Sophia Li (Journalist & Climate Optimist), Mukul Bhatia (Visual Storyteller), Paul Rodgers (Co-Founder & Director At Planet Happiness), Harsha L’acqua (Saira Hospitality), Veronica Chou (Impact Investor). 

According to the organization, Futurismo was chosen based on the following criteria: 

• Alignment with the Category: Evaluating the extent to which the project aligns with the designated category. 
• Alignment with Regenerative Tourism Principles: Assessing the strength of the application’s connection to both regenerative tourism and regenerative principles. 
• Significant and Verifiable Contributions to Social and Environmental Impact: Examining how effectively the application presents a compelling argument for its substantial and measurable contributions to social and environmental impact.