More than 100 nominations have been made, ranging from an owl conservation project on the Thames to charities helping street children in Vietnam. Others include an “environmentally aware” diving company in Egypt, and a conservation project run by a gap-year group in Ecuador and Peru.

The awards celebrate the unsung heroes of tourism who work to improve destinations for local people and tourists. Sponsorship comes from www.responsibletravel.com, The Times, the trade show World Travel Market, and Geographical, the magazine of the Royal Geographical Society.

Justin Francis, co-founder of the online travel agent responsibletravel.com, says: “We are looking for holidays run by passionate tourism organisations which increase the ‘trickle down’ of money into local people’s hands by thinking local when buying services and produce, and supporting local environmental projects.”

All entries, which must be received by August 1, will go into a prize draw. The winner will receive a two-week trip to China for two, courtesy of Gecko’s Adventures. Closer to home, Bryn Elltyd, a guesthouse in Snowdonia, is offering a weekend break for two.

The awards will be presented in November. You can also enter via the website www.responsibletravel.com/awards.

Full details are also on www.timesonline.co.uk/greentravel.

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