Washington DC wins innovation award at global sustainability forum

Storm rising over United States Capitol Building, Washington DC
Edited by Travel Weekly


    The city of Washington, DC has won a prestigious award at the 2023 Global Destination Sustainability Forum in Valencia, Spain.

    The destination won the ‘Innovation Award’ for their “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Business Fellowship”.

    The award recognises and showcases a destination using innovative solutions to drive sustainability performances. A finalist in 2022, and winner this year, Destination DC shared that their submission for the program recognised the team’s effort to not only engage businesses outside traditional tourist zones and share best practices to replicate and scale with other DMOs, but also integrate with city programming including grants, awards and certifications, as well as stimulating training programs and employment pipelines.

    What sets Washington, DC apart from other cities in terms of DEI is that the company is welcoming to all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender presentation, or abilities.

    Destination DC created its DEI Business Fellowship in 2021.

    With an eye on socio-economic equity, the program supports small businesses in the local travel and tourism industry owned by people of colour, LGBTQ+ persons, women, disabled persons and their allies.

    The program was designed with three outcomes in mind: drive business to and increase the capacity of participating Fellows, drive membership at DDC, and increase overall satisfaction among DDC members.

    Latest News

    • Destinations
    • News

    APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

    APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

    • Cruise
    • Luxury
    • News

    Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

    Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

    • Luxury

    Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

    Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]