In an era dominated by instantaneous digital content, user reviews, and search-driven travel recommendations, authentic and ethical travel storytelling remains vital. At the center of this movement stands the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) - the UK's leading organization for professional travel media.
Beyond shaping how audiences discover destinations, the BGTW acts as a benchmark for travel journalism, environmental stewardship, and community-first tourism. Its annual awards celebrate both exceptional storytelling and real-world conservation efforts.
Highlighting this impact, "Katien Ranger Patrol" - a conservation-led experience offered by Katien Safari, an adventure brand under Oxalis Adventure - has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 BGTW International Tourism Awards in the Best Wider World Tourism Project category.
Bau Sau is a 13,759-hectare Ramsar Site in Cat Tien National Park, recognized for its diverse wetland ecosystem.
Founded in 1960, the British Guild of Travel Writers is an association of over 220 accredited travel journalists, authors, photographers, broadcasters, bloggers, and editors.
Unlike general media associations, the BGTW enforces a strict code of conduct. Members undergo peer reviews, must maintain professional publishing standards, and adhere to guidelines regarding transparency on press trips and editorial independence. Because of this vetting process, BGTW accreditation is widely recognized across the travel industry as a badge of quality, independence, and credibility.
While rooted in the UK, the BGTW's reach is global. Members write, shoot, and broadcast for major global platforms - including The Telegraph, The Times, National Geographic Traveler, BBC Travel, Wanderlust, and leading guidebook publishers like Lonely Planet and Rough Guides.
Through these publications, BGTW members influence millions of consumer decisions every year. By favoring eco-conscious regions, community-driven projects, and ethical wilderness encounters, Guild members help direct global tourism spending toward destinations that prioritize conservation and sustainable cultural exchange.
Every November, on the eve of World Travel Market (WTM) London, the Guild hosts its Annual Gala Awards Dinner. The event brings together travel media, national tourism boards, conservationists, and industry leaders to honor achievements across two main award schemes:
Katien Ranger Ptatrol is one of hree 2026 finalists for Best Wider World Tourism Project.
What makes the International Tourism Awards unique is their nomination process. Commercial operators and tourism boards cannot buy their way into the competition, nor can they submit self-nominated applications. Every entry must be nominated directly by an accredited BGTW member who has personally visited and evaluated the project in the field. The entire Guild membership then votes on the shortlisted projects, making the ITA a genuine peer endorsement.
The 2026 BGTW International Tourism Awards feature candidates across its three regional sectors. In the Best Wider World Tourism Project category, the BGTW announced "Katien Ranger Patrol" - a product created by Katien Safari under the Oxalis Adventure brand in Vietnam - as a finalist alongside projects from Brazil and Cameroon.
The hiking route takes visitors under towering old-growth forest canopies and through dense bamboo groves, revealing the rich diversity of ecosystems within Cat Tien National Park.
Oxalis Adventure built its global reputation through sustainable expedition management in Vietnam's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to Son Doong, the world's largest cave. With Katien Safari, Oxalis extended its operational practices and conservation model to Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam.
Cat Tien National Park is home to one of Vietnam's most significant gaur populations, with around 120 individuals recorded in the area.
As night falls, visitors can spot wildlife using advanced thermal imaging technology.
"Katien Ranger Patrol" was created to bridge active nature protection with hands-on ecotourism. Rather than visiting protected areas as passive observers, guests trek deep into Cat Tien National Park alongside trained park rangers and local field experts.
Visitors will accompany forest rangers on a journey through Cát Tiên Forest, gaining deeper insights into efforts to conserve its unique ecosystem.
A core column of Oxalis Adventure’s long-term sustainability strategy is the development of the Ta Lai tourism village, located right on the buffer zone of Cat Tien National Park. Home to the indigenous Chau Ma and S'tieng ethnic communities, Ta Lai represents a model where local heritage and nature conservation intersect.
Rather than imposing external tourism structures, Oxalis works directly with the Chau Ma and S'tieng people, equipping them with professional hospitality skills, guiding expertise, and cultural storytelling roles. By partnering with Oxalis, villagers gain stable jobs, fair incomes, and business opportunities through homestays, traditional crafts, and local cuisine.
On the Katien Safari experience, travelers can explore a traditional Ma weaving house in Ta Lai village.
This economic empowerment creates a vital incentive: when the community prospers directly through sustainable tourism, they become active guardians of the forest. Protecting Cat Tien National Park’s unique ecosystem transitions from a regulatory burden into a shared community mission.
After trekking through the lush forests of Cat Tien, guests were warmly greeted by the Chau Ma people with refreshing drinks and chilled towels.
The selection of "Katien Ranger Patrol" as a BGTW finalist reflects core priorities in modern ecotourism:
Being named an International Tourism Award finalist highlights a shift toward active, conservation-focused travel experiences.
The category winners will be officially announced at the BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner on Monday, November 2, 2026, held at The Underglobe in London, UK.
Whether "Katien Ranger Patrol" takes home the top award or receives a Merit Certificate, its recognition by the British Guild of Travel Writers underscores the value of community-driven conservation initiatives in the global tourism landscape.
