Among 1,600 participants, the Huilo Huilo Biosphere Reserve in Los Ríos Region, Chile, won an award for Best Sustainable Destination in the world, in the ‘local communities and conservation of wildlife’ category, at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2012 in London.
One of the merits that enabled theHuilo Huilo Reserve to win the top prize was 100 hectares of reclaimed Patagonian forest. With this initiative the flora and fauna are being protected through internationally recognised research projects at the Huemul Conservation Centre.
This award is important because it positions Chile as a destination for sustainable tourism in the world – and brings together tourism, economy, environment conservation and the integration of the community. An example of this is that the work activity of 70% of the communities surrounding the site focuses on tourism projects associated with the reserve.
