The program Transforming the Future, developed in collaboration with the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) and under Biosphere standards, has been awarded the 2025 Ibero-American DTI Award in the category of Inclusion and Social Sustainability. This initiative transforms tourist destinations in Latin America by supporting vulnerable communities and promoting a more responsible, inclusive form of tourism aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of the International Fair of Smart Destinations (FIDI), held from March 19 to 22 in Bonito, Brazil, the program Transforming the Future – Universal Assistance, Argentina was honored with the People's Choice Award for Inclusion and Social Sustainability within the 2025 Ibero-American DTI Awards. This recognition highlights innovation, sustainability, and social commitment in tourism throughout the Ibero-American region.
Driven by Fundación Plan21, with the support of the Z Zurich Foundation, Universal Assistance, and the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), Transforming the Future is a program that seeks to generate a lasting, positive impact on vulnerable communities located near tourist destinations in Latin America. Its mission: to train, empower, and provide tools to these communities so they can improve their living conditions through sustainable tourism initiatives.
This social program has carried out activities in countries such as Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil, following the Biosphere certification framework and standards, promoting alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its activities focus on skill development, supporting entrepreneurship, and promoting inclusion as the foundational pillars of tourism transformation with a human-centered approach.
During the award ceremony, held at the Bonito Convention Center, the jury highlighted the program’s strong community impact, as well as its potential for replicability and long-term sustainability. The public also actively participated via social media, awarding Transforming the Future the People's Choice Award in the category of Inclusion and Social Sustainability.
At Biosphere, we celebrate this significant recognition, which reaffirms the importance of integrating social sustainability into tourism models. We also emphasize the value of partnerships like this one—capable of transforming both destinations and lives. Sustainable tourism is not only an environmental goal; it is also a tool for equity, inclusion, and development.