Matador Network Awards 2024: Sustainable Destination

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Hawai’i is a global leader in sustainable tourism. Tourism is the largest private sector industry contributing Hawai’i’s economy, though money isn’t everything. The state puts the goals for sustainability on all levels, not just economic impact, plain and clear: “Integrating sustainable and responsible practices that increase environmental stewardship, perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture, and support community well-being is paramount to long-term economic prosperity.”

Kipuka Olowalu guide welcomes volunteers. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Mathieu Duchier

As of 2024, a regenerative tourism plan is even an official state legislature bill: SB2659 applies a regenerative approach to visitation through additions to the Hawai’i State Planning Act with required updates to the Tourism Functional Plan. Also this year, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority launched its Qurator certification program to help direct visitors to businesses with sustainable practices focused on the environment, community, and economy.

Those businesses cover the entirety of the travel experience from hotel check-in to food and activities. There’s the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Poipu, which has solar panels and a garden that supplies the restaurants (no small benefit considering the high carbon footprint of shipping food to the islands). Or help support wildlife through proceeds and research data while exploring expansive coral reefs, spotting sea turtles, and getting a close-up view of dolphins with Wild Side Specialty Tours. The opportunities feel endless.

Sam Ohu Gon of The Nature Conservancy guides visitors on a hiking trail. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman

There is a responsibility for visitors to do their part as well, which done in Hawai’i by following mālama, translated as “to care for Hawai‘i” in a holistic sense: care for the coral reefs, Hawaiian culture, land and waters (inside and out of Hawai’i’s 51 national parks), wildlife, the youth, and yourself. Volunteering while vacationing. or “voluntourism,” can in fact make your whole trip.

The need for a sustainable action plan has only gotten stronger as the island of Maui continues to recover from the devastating August 2023 wildfires, with responsible tourism to Maui playing a major role in the rebuilding efforts.

Whether it’s your first time or hundredth time to the islands, you can bet sustainability will play a major role in your next visit.

Nominations for the 2024 Matador Network Sustainable Destination Award were sourced from across the well-traveled Matador Network team. The nominees were judged based on accessibility, land stewardship, responsible tourism initiatives, overtourism management, sustainable accommodations, leave no trace principles, and future development plans.

Our other top nominees, in no particular order:

• Helsinki, Finland
• Saba
• Colorado
• San José, Costa Rica
• Palau
• Bhutan
• Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Belmopan, Belize
• Gran Canaria
• Galapagos Islands
• Singapore