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In 2008, 45 operators submitted entries from 8 countries. We had 4 categories, including: Community-based Homestays, Budget Accommodation, Mid-range Resorts and Hotels, and Luxury and Boutique Resorts.
Our Finalists for 2008
Community Based Homestay
Budget Accommodation
Mid Range Resorts and Hotels
Luxury and Boutique Resorts
Our WINNERS for 2008
Out of the eight, our panel of judges selected four winners.
Ecosphere, India
Community Based Homestay
Social enterprise that focuses on economic empowerment, conservation and development. More details
Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, Sri Lanka
Budget Accommodation
An ecolodge with simple tree and mud huts discretely blending with bush, virgin forest and wildlife. More details
Alila Manggis Resort, Indonesia
Mid Range Resorts and Hotels
A stylish seaside resort nestled between the sea and the majestic Mount Agung, Bali's most sacred mountain. More details
Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi, Thailand
Luxury and Boutique Resorts
A resort with great views over Phang Nga Bay. More details
Acknowledgments
Congratulations to our 2008 winners, and thank you for being an inspiration to us all. Taylor's College hosted our award presentation event, which also included a public seminar on climate change and was attended by over 421 guests, including his Excellency the French Ambassador. We shared our award ceremony with over 400 invited guests and held a series of workshops on Responsible Tourism for operators and media, a workshop on animal welfare and zoos (with Acres, a Singapore-based NGO) and a workshop for Taylor's College.
More information
Inspiring, earth-friendly retreats
From eco-chic resorts in Thailand and Indonesia and community-based homestays in the Himalayas to an ecolodge in Sri Lanka, winners of this year's Wild Asia's Responsible Tourism Awards prove that you can benefit the local economy, safeguard the cultural and natural heritage AND sustain a business. LEONG SIOK HUI brings us the sixth installment in our series of 'Rethink Travel' articles in collaboration with The Star newspaper.
Responsible Tourism Award Finalists
This article is part of our Responsible Tourism Award Finalists series.
Every year Wild Asia presents its annual Responsible Tourism Award to recognise excellence in RT practices. This series highlights the winners and finalists of past awards.
Find out how to enter this year's award. Or contact us if you'd like to nominate an operator you think deserves recognition for their work.
Other features in this series:
- Highlights of Responsible Tourism Awards 2009
- Finalists and winners of our annual Responsible Tourism Awards 2008
- Finalists and winners of our annual Responsible Tourism Awards 2007
- Finalists and winners of our annual Responsible Tourism Awards 2006


Aku Esufali
Monday, 21 December 2009 at 6:26 PM:
Hello everybody, specially to the Wild Asia team...
My name is Aku Esufali and I am Sri Lankan.
This is with regard to Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, and I want to set the record straight here.
I started Treetops Farm in June 1996. I spent my own money and used my own resources to do my bit for nature and wildlife... was not into tourism of any sort and I did many things for the village and the jungle on my own, as a Sri Lankan.
Please compare these two site - http://treetopsfarm.tripod.com and www.treetopsjunglelodge.com
Please also look at this link - http://www.earthfoot.org/places/lk001.htm
Tree Tops Farm was my dream and an initiative to a nature conservation project, which is all my idea. You might think me bad, but am sorry, I simply cannot allow someone, specially an alien of Lanka to steal my dream to make money, and medals. Definitely not from a person without a thought for nature and a village that is compelled to destroy the jungle for survival.
Even the line