Wilderness Journeys is neck and neck with industry heavy-weights for a prestigious prize for responsible tourism being announced next week.

Wilderness Scotland, who for seven years has pioneered adventure holidays in the world's remote regions, has been short-listed for the Most Responsible Tour Operator award in the British Travel Awards. Only Exodus and Intrepid-Guerba have also reached the finals.

Our Edinburgh-based company, made up of a team of six plus guides throughout the world, outshone several well-established and larger companies to reach the finals. The nomination rewards our commitment to responsible tourism and contribution to the tourism industry.

Wilderness Journeys director Stevie Christie said: “We are delighted to have been short-listed for an award in what are regarded as the Oscars of the travel world. It’s fantastic to be recognised for our success as a company built on strong principles.

“Since we began seven years ago, we have worked in direct partnership with isolated communities to create exciting outdoor holidays that benefit locally. We’ve gone on to win several awards and are often highlighted as a case study in sustainable tourism best practice conferences around the world.”

Wilderness Journeys designs its holidays to have the lowest possible environmental impact. For example, it encourages eco-friendly travel to Scotland by starting all trips at railway stations. It ‘gives back’ to the environment by offsetting all carbon emissions created by the business by 110% and supporting conservation projects such as Trees for Life.

Company founder and managing director Paul Easto said: “We were the first inbound tour operator in Scotland, and possibly the UK, to create a successful and growing business founded upon the ethics of sustainable tourism.

“Our mission is to be the UK’s leading provider of inspirational and responsible adventure travel experiences, raising the bar and setting the standard for how adventure tour operators around the world operate.

“We established our business on the belief that doing the right thing can make for good and profitable business. We believed - and are everyday proving - that tourism can be the driving force behind the conservation of our natural and social heritage."

Rather than preaching eco-tourism to our clients, Wilderness Journeys believes in providing high quality holidays that speak for themselves. We work with carefully selected accommodation and experienced guides, chosen for their excellence as well as their commitment to the environment.

“Our aim is not simply to provide an activity holiday but rather a tourism experience with many dimensions. We genuinely believe that positive tourism experiences can foster a connection with the natural world and, in turn, encourage people to lead more sustainable lifestyles,” said Mr Easto.

“We don’t contrive or force these issues. We spend a great deal of time working with our guides to deliver this message in a natural and sincere way.”