Awards and Recognition

Explore is delighted to have received a number of awards over the years. Some have been in recognition of the tours we offer, whilst others have related to our responsible travel ethos. Here are details of our most recent awards. 

2012 awards

British Travel Awards 2012

The British Travel Awards are widely referred to as the "Oscars" of the travel industry. In November 2012, we were named 'Best Overall Escorted Experience Tour Operator' and 'Best Medium Tour Operator to Southern Asia’. The votes are cast by those whose opinions matter the most – the consumer.  

Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2012

In November 2012 we received a Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award for being the ‘Best Tour Operator for Promoting Responsible Tourism’. The prestigious gong was presented to us in recognition of our on-going dedication to responsible tourism. Judges were particularly impressed by the thoroughness of our approach to placing responsible principles at the core of our business.

Watch the video of our own John Telfer accepting the award Responsible Tourism award

British Travel Press Awards 2012

Explore was awarded the ‘Travel Editors’ Green Award of the Year’ in November 2012. Judges were impressed with our holistic approach to responsible tourism and specifically our involvement in the Sustainable Tourism MSc at the University of Surrey.  

AITO Awards 2012

At the beginning of 2012, Explore teamed up with the University of Surrey to create a Sustainable Tourism MSc “in Association with Explore” - educating students on the importance, theory and practice of sustainable tourism initiatives. Explore received an AITO Award (Association of Independent Tour Operators) for having the 'Most Innovative Sustainable Tourism Initiative' in recognition of this, in November 2012.

Travel Trade Awards

In 2012 we were awarded two travel industry awards; ‘Special Interest Tour Operator of the Year’ at the Travel Agents’ Choice Awards and ‘Star Adventure/Activity Holidays Specialist’ at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards.

Historic Awards

Here’s just a selection of some of the other awards we’ve won over recent years

• Adventure Tour Operator of the Year - Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards, 2010

• Best Long Haul Tour Operator - voted by members of Which? Magazine, 2010

• World's Best Guide Award – won by Explore's Diego Torres in Wanderlust's Guide Awards, 2009

• Best Tour Operator - Responsible Travel Awards, 2008

• Best Transport or Travel Business - Green Business Awards, 2008