At the heart of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — lies our cooperative, Community Tours Sian Ka’an, a 100% Maya-owned and operated initiative. For over two decades, our mission has been clear: to protect our natural and cultural heritage while offering visitors an authentic and regenerative travel experience.
 | “Today, we are proud to share a milestone that belongs not just to us, but to every member of our community: we have been officially nominated as the “World’s Leading Indigenous Community Tourism Initiative 2025” at the prestigious World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards. This recognition follows a rigorous evaluation by sustainability students from Nova Business School and a distinguished international advisory board.” Román Caamal Coh |
Why This Nomination Matters
For us, this nomination is not an isolated achievement. It’s a reflection of years of continuous learning, adaptation, and commitment to doing tourism differently. As a cooperative, our approach is rooted in the values passed down from our ancestors — respect for nature, community solidarity, and the belief that economic development must walk hand in hand with environmental stewardship.
Our nomination highlights:
- We are a 100% Maya cooperative, with every guide, boat captain, and cook belonging to our local community.
- Every meal we serve is traditional Maya cuisine, prepared in our palapa by community members, using local ingredients.
- Our tours are designed and led entirely by indigenous guides, many of whom speak Maya alongside Spanish and English.
- Every visitor’s contribution directly supports over 30 Maya families, sustains jobs, and funds conservation projects in Sian Ka’an.
Part of a Larger Sustainability Journey
This recognition is also tied to our broader sustainability efforts. We have achieved the Good Travel Seal / Sello RMS Level 2 (Silver Medal) certification, validating our responsible tourism practices. At the same time, Sian Ka’an — with Community Tours as an active representative — is competing to be featured in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2025, an international list celebrating the most inspiring sustainability initiatives in the world.
These milestones are not marketing badges. They are proof of our continuous improvement strategy and our deep-rooted commitment to regenerative tourism — tourism that not only avoids harm but actively contributes to restoring ecosystems and strengthening communities.
A Chance to Be Heard Globally
Being nominated for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards opens the door for our story to be shared at one of the most important tourism events of the year: the Gala Ceremony at Expo City Dubai — a LEED Platinum-certified venue and global icon for sustainability. This event will also host the Sustainable Destinations Forum 2025, organized by Green Destinations, where ideas, innovations, and collaborations for a net-positive tourism industry will be discussed.
For a cooperative like ours, this kind of visibility is invaluable. It means the voices of our guides, our cooks, our boat captains, and our elders can resonate far beyond the mangroves and lagoons of Sian Ka’an.
How You Can Support Us
Winning this award would not only be an honor for our team — it would be a recognition for all indigenous community tourism projects striving to protect their land and culture. Your vote can help make it happen.
It’s simple:
- Register on the awards platform
- Vote for us here 👉 Vote Now
Every vote is a step towards a future where tourism regenerates what it touches.
From the entire Community Tours Sian Ka’an family: Thank you for walking this path with us. 💚