Three international tourism projects are nominated for EcoTrophea 2026 of the German Travel Association. In the final, Ecomapu Travel with «Community-Based Tourism for Valparaiso», G Adventures with «Trees for Days» and HX Expeditions with «Northwest Passage: Creating Economic Value Through Community-Led Experiences» are in the running. The winner will be announced on 15 October at the Association’s Capital Congress in Berlin.

The international award for sustainability and social responsibility in tourism this year focuses on the theme «Cooperation with Local Communities for Sustainable Development». The submitted projects will be evaluated by the association according to a predefined set of criteria.

Ecomapu Travel relies on local providers

Since 2015, Ecomapu Travel coordinates a community-based tourism model in Valparaíso, Chile. The tour operator brings together local host families, guides and other providers with travelers as well as public institutions.

The starting point was the joint development of the “Ruta La Matriz” in socially disadvantaged areas, or areas of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage site that have so far been little involved in tourism. According to Ecomapu Travel, around 7,000 travelers participate annually in eleven small-group experiences.

The network comprises five host families, 14 guides and more than 20 local providers. According to the application, around $80,000 of visitors’ expenditures remain locally through direct payments on site. The residents are also involved in decisions about routes, stories, prices and new activities. Four stakeholder meetings take place per year.