The awards were presented by TV presenter Kate Humble at the Adventure Travel Conference, and herald the UK’s first awards scheme aimed specifically at suppliers and businesses operating in the adventure sector.
Owner Karen Simmonds, who won the Travel Agency category, was praised for “putting a heavy emphasis on sustainable tourism and community benefits, an ethos which is at the heart of adventure travel”.
Other winners on the night included tour operator Exodus, for a successful marketing campaign with Jazz FM, and separately for its women’s eco-cafe project in Hankar, Ladakh, one of its Himalayan community support projects.
The Transcaucasian Trail Association claimed the Innovation of the Year award for its work on creating a long-distance trail network passing through Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Iran.
