Piñero invites nominations for third “Los + Ecoístas” awards promoting sustainable tourism

In a move to amplify global momentum for environmental stewardship in the tourism and private sectors, Dominican hospitality leader Piñero has opened nominations for the third iteration of its prestigious “Los + Ecoístas” awards, a recognition program celebrating entities advancing sustainability across the Caribbean nation. This year marks a notable expansion of the initiative, with new categories adding content creators, independent environmental advocates, and specialized media outlets to the traditional pool of recognized companies, institutions, and industry partners. The awards program sits at the core of Piñero’s global “We Are Ecoístas” campaign, an overarching effort to embed responsible environmental practices across regional industries and cultivate a more ecologically conscious model for tourism development in the Dominican Republic. By opening recognition to communication-focused actors, the company aims to elevate the work of changemakers who use digital platforms, journalism, and public outreach to build widespread public support for climate action and conservation. Eligible nominations cover work across four key environmental focus areas: renewable and efficient energy systems, direct climate action, circular economy innovation, and biodiversity protection. Organizations and individuals interested in consideration have until September 14 to submit their entries, with winners set to be revealed at a dedicated ceremonial event scheduled for the end of 2024. In a unique addition to this year’s program, Piñero has formed collaborative partnerships with the Dominican Republic’s National Center for Handicrafts (Cenadarte) and the national Ministry of Culture to launch a special design competition. Up-and-coming local artisans are invited to compete to create the official award statuettes, an initiative designed to center sustainable craft practices and elevate emerging Dominican creative talent. Since the awards launched, a range of the country’s leading public and private entities have been honored for their environmental work. Past recipients include major national players Grupo Universal, Banco Popular Dominicano, Aerodom, the National Botanical Garden, Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, and electric mobility provider Evergo, all recognized for their measurable contributions to advancing conservation and sustainable development across the country.