Amazon Emotions Wins Silver at the 6th WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards 2026

Amazon Emotions is proud to announce that it has been awarded Silver at the 6th WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards 2026, in the category of Best Initiatives to Tackle Climate Change and Conserve Biodiversity.

This recognition highlights the company’s long-standing commitment to developing a model of tourism where travel directly supports conservation, science, and local communities in the Amazon.

Founded in 2006, Amazon Emotions has built its operations around small-group, immersive experiences across the Brazilian Amazon, including boutique river expeditions and private rainforest lodges. At the core of its approach lies the belief that tourism should generate real, measurable benefits for the territories it touches.

Since 2018, this vision has been embodied in the Amazon Nexus Project, developed in partnership with the Amazonian Biodiversity Integrated Studies Center (CENBAM) and the Brazilian Biodiversity Research Program (PPBio), both coordinated by the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA). Through this initiative, each journey contributes to biodiversity monitoring using camera traps, citizen science, and field-based research methodologies.

The results are tangible. In the RAPELD module in Presidente Figueiredo, dozens of species have been recorded, including sensitive mammals such as pumas, tapirs, and peccaries, as well as endemic bird species. These findings contribute to scientific databases and inform responsible tourism practices, such as trail design and visitation limits.

Beyond environmental impact, the initiative generates meaningful social outcomes. Amazon Emotions operates with a 100% local Amazonian crew, prioritizes regional supply chains, and integrates local communities into its itineraries through paid cultural experiences. The project has also supported the training of young people, hosted students for environmental education programs, and helped position travelers as ambassadors for the Amazon.

Innovation is further strengthened with the launch of the Zaltana Riverboat (2026), a low-impact expedition vessel powered by hybrid and solar energy, with waste management systems and a design focused on minimizing environmental footprint. The Zaltana serves as a floating platform that integrates tourism, research, and education in a unique way.

This award reinforces our belief that tourism can be part of the solution,” says the team at Amazon Emotions. “By connecting travelers with science and local communities, we are demonstrating that it is possible to generate income, produce knowledge, and protect biodiversity at the same time.

With nearly two decades of experience, Amazon Emotions continues to expand its model, aiming to inspire a new generation of tourism, one that is regenerative, evidence-based, and deeply connected to the future of the Amazon.