Latin Trails Wraps Up a Successful 3rd Quarter with Prestigious LATA Sustainability Award and Expands Conservation Initiatives

LATIN TRAILS WINS SUSTAINABILITY AWARD AT THE LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION GALA

(IN SHORT) Latin Trails won the 2024 LATA Responsible Tourism Award for Community Engagement, recognizing its efforts in sustainable tourism and community involvement in Ecuador. Its ILLA Experience Hotel in Quito integrates local culture and offers scholarships through the NEST Project. The company also promotes sustainability in the Galápagos Islands with eco-friendly initiatives on its Seaman Journey catamaran and supports conservation in the Amazon through its Hakuna Matata Lodge, which protects 124 hectares of restored rainforest. Latin Trails continues to lead in responsible tourism and environmental conservation.

(PRESS RELEASE) QUITO, Ecuador, 2024-Sep-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Latin Trails, a leading sustainable tourism operator in Ecuador, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Community Engagement Award at the LATA Responsible Tourism Awards 2024, held during the LATA Expo last June. This award recognises Latin Trails’ exemplary commitment to responsible tourism, its engagement with local communities, and its ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Ecuador’s natural and cultural heritage.

Dr Harold Goodwin, Chair of the Awards panel, commended Latin Trails on its innovative approach to community engagement, particularly its work with the local population through its ownership of ILLA Experience Hotel in Quito. The hotel has become a model for integrating local communities and culture into tourism, enhancing the travel experience while supporting local livelihoods.

A Strong Quarter for Latin Trails
This prestigious recognition comes as Latin Trails celebrates a highly successful 3rd quarter, marked by significant achievements in sustainability and community development, alongside the expansion of its operations across Ecuador.

A major contributor to the award is the ongoing success of ILLA Experience Hotel in Quito, where the hotel’s NEST Project has continued to thrive. This initiative offers internships and scholarships to young culinary and hospitality talent from across Ecuador, providing hands-on experience in the hotel’s kitchen and service areas. The project not only empowers future leaders of Ecuador’s tourism industry but also strengthens ties with local communities.

Advancing Sustainability in the Galápagos Islands
Latin Trails remains at the forefront of sustainable travel practices in the Galápagos Islands. Its Galápagos catamaran, the Seaman Journey, has implemented a pioneering hydroponic farm on San Cristóbal Island, significantly reducing the importation of produce from the mainland. By growing fresh vegetables locally, Latin Trails minimises the risk of introducing invasive species to the fragile Galápagos ecosystem, a key concern for environmental preservation in the region.

Furthermore, the Seaman Journey offers passengers the opportunity to participate in Citizen Science programmes, including Happy Whale, a whale migration tracking project, and Garbology, which focuses on reducing plastic waste in the marine environment. These programmes offer guests a hands-on experience in conservation, reinforcing Latin Trails’ commitment to responsible tourism.

 

Conservation and Community at Hakuna Matata Amazon Lodge
Latin Trails has also made significant progress at its co-owned property, Hakuna Matata Amazon Reserve and Lodge, located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. This reserve protects 124 hectares of rainforest that was restored from former cattle-farming land, bringing it back to secondary-growth forest in collaboration with the local community. The restoration efforts have supported biodiversity recovery and created sustainable employment opportunities for local people.

Recently, four new luxury bungalows were added to the lodge, enhancing the guest experience while providing further stability for the community that staffs the property. These developments enable Hakuna Matata to maintain its high standards of sustainability and community-driven tourism.

Commitment to Responsible Tourism
Latin Trails’ successes in this past quarter highlight its dedication to sustainability, conservation, and responsible tourism. Through community engagement and environmental stewardship, the company continues to raise the bar for adventure travel in South America. Whether through its efforts in the Galápagos Islands or its conservation projects in the Amazon, Latin Trails remains committed to offering extraordinary travel experiences that benefit both travellers and the environments they explore.

About Latin Trails
Latin Trails is a boutique tour operator specialising in tailor-made travel experiences across Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands, and Peru. Committed to responsible tourism, the company designs unique adventures that support conservation efforts and local communities, ensuring a positive impact on the environments in which it operates.

For more information about Latin Trails and its sustainable travel initiatives, please visit www.latintrails.com.

Media contact:

Andrea Gonzalez
travel@latintrails.com

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