International recognition aimed at highlighting creativity, cultural diversity and sustainable tourism in the Caribbean
The Creative Tourism Network® and the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana are proud to announce the creation and launch of the Caribbean Creative Tourism Awards, an initiative designed to celebrate and promote the richness of the Caribbean’s creative and sustainable ecosystems.
These awards aim to recognize the excellence of the Caribbean tourism offering, linked to the diversity of local cultures and the entrepreneurial skills of young professionals, enabling the creation of a virtuous tourism ecosystem.
The Caribbean Creative Tourism Awards thus aim to identify and honour a wide range of stakeholders and initiatives across the Caribbean region that use creativity as a vector for sustainable tourism development.
Whether creative workshops, hotel establishments of all types, local operators, events, or destinations themselves, this call for applications is open to all cultural, creative, and tourism stakeholders in the Caribbean.
Applicants can submit their projects in the following categories::
- Best Caribbean Creative Destination
- Best Caribbean Creative Tourism Strategy (implemented or theoretical)
- Best Caribbean Creative Tourism Experiences
- Best Caribbean Creative Accommodations (B&Bs, hostels, hotels, resorts, campsites, eco-lodges, etc.)
- Best Caribbean Creative Tourism Event
- Best Caribbean Creative Travel Agency / Tour Operator / Travel Organizer / Travel Consultant
- Best Caribbean Artist Residency / Creative Hub
- Best Caribbean Creative Services
- Best Caribbean Creative Tourism Promotion Campaign
Subcategories have also been created to highlight the specificities and virtues of each destination, project or strategy presented, based on the Sustainable Development Goals achieved.
This initiative is part of a collaboration between the Creative Tourism Network® and the TRANSCULTURA program, a five-year program implemented by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana with the support of the European Union, aimed at promoting the creation of economic opportunities through culture, creativity, and sustainable development.
It complements two training and mentoring programs led by the Creative Tourism Network® for cultural and tourism professionals and entrepreneurs in the Caribbean. These capacity-building initiatives enabled participants to design and implement creative tourism experiences rooted in their cultural identities and community values.
Integrating cultural and creative industries into the tourism sector fosters economic diversification, job creation, and the promotion of local entrepreneurship. By strengthening these activities, we encourage the creation of unique, value-added products and services rooted in local culture. This not only attracts more visitors, but also ensures that communities benefit directly from tourism.
Anne Lemaistre, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana
“The Caribbean is investing heavily in creative tourism as a transformative tourism approach to a more virtuous model, and these Awards aim to support each stakeholder in this new ecosystem.”
Caroline Couret, Director of the CreativeTourismNetwork®
The Caribbean Creative Tourism Awards are a continuation of the World Creative Tourism Awards, created by the CreativeTourismNetwork®, which in previous editions have recognized destinations such as Indonesia, New Orleans, Salvador de Bahia and Easter Island, as well as projects such as the Candeal experience by Carlinhos Brown, among others.
How to participate?
Applications are open to any destination, project, or company in the Caribbean.
Deadline to apply for is JUNE 1 st, through the following form.
GUIDELINES
1 – Each applicant can submit several proposals as well as the same proposal in several categories.
2 – All applicants must have been in operation for at least 6 full months (except for the “Best strategy” category which might not have been implemented yet).
3 – Applications must reach the Creative Tourism Network® before June 1st, at .12 p.m GMT.
4 – Applications must be sent through this e-form. Eventual complementary documents (videos, for instance), should be sent by wetransfer, dropbox, drive, etc) through a link included at the end of the e-form, but NOT in a separate email.
5- The information and data provided in the e-form will be used for the selection process and partly for the winners’ promotion.
6 – For any and assistance, please contact us at: info@creativetourismnetwork.org
TRANSCULTURA: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity is a UNESCO program supported by the European Union. It seeks to strengthen cultural integration and cooperation across the Caribbean, with a focus on youth, creativity, and sustainable development.
About Creative Tourism Network®
The Creative Tourism Network® is the international organization that promotes creative and sustainable tourism worldwide. It supports destinations, communities, and entrepreneurs in developing tourism models that showcase local culture and foster strong connections between visitors and hosts. The Creative Tourism Network® regularly collaborates with UNESCO, UN Tourism, GIZ, and government ministries around the world.
