Tropic Travel, the DMC operating across Ecuador, Peru and Chile, received two awards at the LATA Excellence Awards 2026: DMC of the Year (Large) and Workplace of the Year. The awards were presented during the LATA Expo gala dinner in London on 8 June, attended by more than 300 travel professionals, partners and media.
The awards are judged by an independent panel of industry experts. This year's judges included Kate Kenward (Visit USA UK), Adrian Phillips (Bradt Travel Guides), and Kate McWilliams (LOTUS).
DMC of the Year
The judges highlighted Tropic's May I Introduce You programme, a collection of experiences that connect travellers with local hosts, producers, artisans, chefs and community leaders across Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
The panel also recognised the company's conservation and restoration initiatives, which allow travellers to contribute directly to projects supporting ecosystems and communities in the Andes and Amazon.
"Tropic Travel exemplifies what it means to place people — both travellers and local communities — at the very heart of tourism." — LATA Judges, 2026
Workplace of the Year
The second award recognised Tropic's workplace culture and long-term investment in its team. More than half of the company's employees have worked at Tropic for five years or more, a figure the judges identified as particularly noteworthy within the travel industry.
The panel also acknowledged Tropic's achievement of full organisational carbon neutrality in 2025, as well as its ongoing investment in professional development across all areas of the business.
"Tropic Travel is proof that a thriving team and a thriving business are one and the same." — LATA Judges, 2026
The awards were announced during LATA Expo 2026, where Tropic's team met with travel advisors, tour operators and industry partners from across the UK and Latin America.
The recognition comes as Tropic celebrates its 32nd anniversary in 2026, marking more than three decades of designing tailor-made journeys throughout South America.