Green Destinations
Top 100 Story Awards
ITB Berlin 2026
The Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards showcase and celebrate the most inspirational initiatives for sustainable tourism development from stories submitted to the annual Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition.
Green Destinations Story Awards
Since 2014, the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards at ITB have showcased the most inspiring initiatives for sustainable tourism development in 6 categories based on the nominations for the GD Top 100 Stories. The 11th Edition took place at ITB Berlin 2026.
During this event, we announced the winners of the Green Destinations Story Awards, celebrated the newly Green Destinations Awarded and Certified destinations, and announced the host destination for our GD2026 Global Conference.
Event Images
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Special Awards
Special Award
ITB Earth Award
This award recognises exceptional contributions to sustainable tourism through destination stewardship, inspiring practices, and effective stakeholder management. This story was selected by ITB.
Fernando de Norohna - ONG Golfinho Rotador
Tourism Among Dolphins: The Transformative Impact of the Spinner Dolphin Project
Special Award
People’s Choice Award
This year again, Green Destinations opened a 6th category of awards: the People’s Choice Award. The destination that received the most votes was awarded with the People’s Choice Award.
Awards Categories
Destination Management
Culture & Tradition
Nature & Scenery
Thriving Communities
Environment & Climate
Business & Marketing
Destination Management
Van Gogh National Park, The Netherlands
From Visitor Pressure to Balance: How the Wandelstarter approach Reinvents Destination Management
Occitanie, France
Turning Tourism Data into Action for a Resilient Occitanie
Nature & Scenery
Koh Lanta, Thailand
A Hero’s Tale from Lanta Island’s Regenerative Coast: The Hermit Crab
Maolin National Scenic Area, Taiwan
Freeway Shutdown for Butterflies – Creating a Homecoming Path for the Purple Crow Butterfly
Maolin National Scenic Area, Taiwan
Freeway Shutdown for Butterflies – Creating a Homecoming Path for the Purple Crow Butterfly
Sveti Ivan Zelina, Croatia
Towards more sustainable chestnut festival Kestenijada
Tibau do Sul, Brazil
Baía dos Golfinhos: participatory governance, connection with nature, and collective commitment to sustainability
Environment & Climate
Chiang Khan, Thailand
When the Mekong Changed: A Fishing Village’s Journey Towards Sustainable Tourism
Uthai Thani Old Town, Thailand
The Giant Gourami as GI Tourism: A Living Symbol of Climate Resilience, Connecting Water Stewardship with the Cultural Legacy of Old Town
Bela Krajina, Slovenia
No Bins, Just Wins: Running Towards a Waste- Free Future
Bela Krajina, Slovenia
No Bins, Just Wins: Running Towards a Waste- Free Future
Chiang Khan, Thailand
When the Mekong Changed: A Fishing Village’s Journey Towards Sustainable Tourism
Ikawa Forest, Japan
A Forest That Teaches Us Nature—and Inspires the Future
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Feel the pulse of the forest – biomonitoring of forest growth and carbon storage
Townsville, Australia
A City working with nature and biology to rapidly restore and regenerate the natural environment following disasters
Uthai Thani Old Town, Thailand
The Giant Gourami as GI Tourism: A Living Symbol of Climate Resilience, Connecting Water Stewardship with the Cultural Legacy of Old Town
Culture & Tradition
Beypore, India
Restoring the Age-Old Legacy and Tradition of Handcrafted Wooden Boats: The Story of ‘Beypore Uru'
Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau, Perú
Winds of tradition and sustainability: Artisanal sailboat fishing as a living heritage in the Mar Tropical de Grau National Reserve
Lahemaa, Estonia
From submarines to sustainability: transforming Lahemaa’s military past
Beypore, India
Restoring the Age-Old Legacy and Tradition of Handcrafted Wooden Boats: The Story of ‘Beypore Uru'
Jatiluwih Village, Indonesia
Green Miracle in a Cultural Heritage Living Museum
Lahemaa, Estonia
From submarines to sustainability: transforming Lahemaa’s military past
Minami Shinshu, Japan
Truly moving and genuine rural experience. ‘nōka minpaku’ farm stay
Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau, Perú
Winds of tradition and sustainability: Artisanal sailboat fishing as a living heritage in the Mar Tropical de Grau National Reserve
Thriving Communities
Miskolc, Hungary
Forest to Fork: Miskolc’s Bold Step Beyond Industrial Heritage
Niseko, Japan
Learning nurtures people, and people nurture communities: The sustainability of human resources created by tourism education in Niseko, Hokkaido
Bohinj, Slovenia
Reconnecting fields and forks: building a local vegetable supply chain for Bohinj’s tables
Bohinj, Slovenia
Reconnecting fields and forks: building a local vegetable supply chain for Bohinj’s tables
Isabela de Basilan, Philippines
HAP DENDA (Empowered Women): Championing IP Women for Meaningful and Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Reawakening
Miskolc, Hungary
Forest to Fork: Miskolc’s Bold Step Beyond Industrial Heritage
Niseko, Japan
Learning nurtures people, and people nurture communities: The sustainability of human resources created by tourism education in Niseko, Hokkaido
Business & Marketing
Halifax, Canada
Meet with Purpose: Discover Halifax’s Sustainable Business Events Movement
Marugame City, Japan
The Classroom Is the City: Educating for Circular Tourism across Generations
Bled, Slovenia
Bled Beyond the Postcard: A Multimedia Journey of Authentic Experiences
Bled, Slovenia
Bled Beyond the Postcard: A Multimedia Journey of Authentic Experiences
Halifax, Canada
Meet with Purpose: Discover Halifax’s Sustainable Business Events Movement
Marugame City, Japan
The Classroom Is the City: Educating for Circular Tourism across Generations
Miren Kras, Slovenia
FLAVORS OF LOVE – A Month of Dishes with Cherries and Asparagus
Meet the Jury
Albert Salman
Good Travel Institute
Alex Crevar
www.alexcrevar.com
Andreas Dohle
DEL Turismo
Anne de Jong
Good Tourism Institute
Bart Hageman
Green Destinations Foundation
Emma Magistri
Green Destinations Foundation
Elissa Keenan
Ecotourism Australia
Felipe Vera Soto
Green Destinations
Hartmut Wimmer
Outdooractive
Holger Sigmund
Tourism Impact
Hugo de Jong
Green Destinations
Jahanzeeb Ahmed
BeCause
Jana Apih
Green Destinations Foundation | Goodplace
Katie James
Travel Foundation
Kirsi Hyvaerinen
Balkan.Green
Lisa Scriven
Impact for Africa
Masaru Takayama
Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN)
Noah Pircher
Green Destinations Foundation
Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards
Thanks our Sponsors and Partners
Join the 2026 Top 100 Stories Competition
Registrations are open!
We encourage destinations around the world to share their best practices and join the 2026 edition, inspiring others and showcasing their leadership in sustainable tourism.