Campi ya Kanzi, Kenya

Campi ya Kanzi is located at Kuku Group Ranch in southern Kenya, just outside the national park. Luca Belpietro set up this lovely eco-tourist camp ten years ago to preserve the land that is outside the protected national park and to share revenues with the local Maasai who live there. The revenues from Campi ya Kanzi have helped the Maasai realize the value of wildlife and wilderness. Because of the presence of the camp, the Maasai themselves have become guardians of the wilderness, not destroyers. The camp is also built in an eco-friendly manner. It uses very little water, and the power is supplied by solar panels. It is one of the most favoured places for well-heeled eco-travellers. Kenneth Coe

Lloyds Hotel, Llanidloes, Wales

It seems quirky to nominate this small hotel here on our doorstep. Roy and Tom have been running this fabulous gem responsibly since first acquiring it 15+ years ago. How do they do it? Source everything locally –the cellar excused! All fresh, local produce is fetched in daily by Tom, usually on foot! Restaurant strictly operates on bookings only – always knowing how and when to deliver perfect meals. Well run onsite facilities means that their eco footprint is small. Roy and Tom were into recycling before it was fashionable – glass, paper, composting etc. Continuous and appropriate investment in the building provides warm, safe, eco-friendly and healthy environment –which is nothing but good inn keeping really - a jewel of a place. Tim Weimer

Tiger Mountain Tharu Lodge, Chitwan, Nepal

This lodge deserves to win an award for its absolute commitment to the local community. The lodge prides itself on its use of local produce and materials, encourages self-sufficiency and takes great efforts to protect and preserve the local environment and wildlife. The long list of projects this small lodge supports includes a school (and scholarships), a clinic, goat breeding, irrigation, agriculture, women's literacy and empowerment. When I visited last year, following a period of instability, which resulted in few tourists, I was the only guest at the lodge. However, instead of lamenting the lack of business they used this spare time to do even more to help the community, although their income was obviously significantly less. I travel a great deal and have never experienced such sincere and complete commitment to responsible tourism. Janice Lee

Algonquin Eco-Lodge

Algonquin Eco-Lodge is on the southern border of Algonquin Park in southern Ontario, and is popular for guests who enjoy cross country skiing, dog sledding, hiking, canoeing, and mountain biking. An alternative energy eco-lodge, it is developing a way to generate electricity from a waterfall. Robin Banerjee

Chole Mjini, Chole Island, Mafia

Jean and Anne de Villiers have spent the past decade or so building and running an eco-friendly lodge at Chole Island - part of the Mafia archipelago off the coast of Tanzania. The lodge is beautifully constructed using tree houses and ticks all the boxes for being sympathetic to the environment and local community. For years they have been helping the locals with education and health but have recently formalised this creating a joint project of the Chole Mjini Conservation & Development Company, the Chole Social Development Society and The Tribes Foundation to further the ability to raise funds for local social projects. Add to this that the lodge is in a marine park and you really have an outstanding candidate for this award. They could fit in several categories but I can only tick one! Guy Marks

Ol Seki Mara Camp

Tents are designed to have low environmental impact with all grey water being collected. Biodegradable soaps are used in camp (all washing, laundry, etc). The camp uses fuel briquettes made from local materials - saving area forests and providing income for local women. Ol Seki supports two community projects: Olesere Primary School – provided new soft boards, desks, school supplies, planted shade trees and raising funds for new kitchen. Koiyaki Guiding School (winner of Poverty Reduction Award in 2005) - one of the largest donors and contributes $10 per bed night. Annually, they sponsor a student, create internships, offer free accommodation to donors/lecturers and provide employment for graduates. Ol Seki’s eco-commitment has been recognized with a silver rating from ESOK. Elizabeth Bean