The Chilean biological reserve of Huilo Huilo was honored in the category of "People Choice Award" in the 2013 edition of the World Travel Market trade fair in London, which recognizes the development of "responsible tourism" in the southern region of Los Ríos.

The executive director of Huilo Huilo, Alexandra Petermann, noted, "This new international recognition validates the concept of sustainability that has been implemented in the biological reserve" and shows that "conservation and economic development of an area can go hand in hand."

 

 

"Sustainable tourism is the tool that permits this," said Petermann, who manages the reserve, famous for its waterfalls, over 50 meters high, in a rainforest that houses a variety of flora and fauna, unique in the world, spread over more than 250 kilometers of roads bordering lakes, rivers and virgin beaches.

The vote was conducted via the internet and Huilo Huilo received 45% of the total 5,300 votes.

The World Travel Market fair, which brings together representatives from the world's major tourist destinations, gave this year's award to the Chilean reserve, located about 860 kilometers south of Santiago, which had to compete with four ecotourism and conservation projects located in Nepal, New Zealand, India and the UK.

The World Travel Market’s "People Choice Award" is the third international award Huilo Huilo has received, after receiving the award for best destination in the world in the Wildlife and Habitat Conservation category, which was awarded during the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards in 2012.

Furthermore, the reserve, which was established in 1999 and occupies 600 square miles of the Patagonian forest, received the EcoTrophea award in 2012, given by the German Travel Association (DRV), which distinguishes projects that contribute to the conservation, improve ecosystems and preserve biodiversity.

Related News in Chinese: 智利卉罗卉罗生物保护区荣获世界旅游交易会“最受大众喜爱奖”