At the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), we believe that when you go on vacation, you don't have to leave your values at home. Part of traveling responsibly means engaging with, and giving back to, the places you visit and the people you meet, and helping to preserve what's special about the destination.

Maybe, during a recent trip, you attended a cultural festival or saw a native dance or musical performance. Maybe you watched a meal prepared using traditional methods, a community sporting event, or artisans craft beautiful objects. Perhaps you took part in a homestay and engaged with the fabric of daily life. Whatever you witnessed, we're hoping you'll share these enriching details with CREST and our friends.

By entering our "Local Traditions" photo contest, you can show your passion for responsible travel by sharing the inspiring stories of the people you've met on your journeys. Plus, you'll have the chance to win a 1-night, deluxe-accommodation stay at the first eco-friendly hotel in Chicago, Hotel Felix!

How to Enter: All contest submissions must be emailed to the Center for Responsible Travel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with "Local Traditions Contest" in the subject line. Please send one original photograph accompanied by a brief caption explaining what is pictured and how it relates to local traditions. Only one entry is allowed per participant. All entries are expected to be the result of respectful interaction with the local people whose traditions you are documenting.

Promotional Period: The "Local Traditions" photo contest will accept submissions from Thursday, August 10th, through 12:00 pm (EST) on Thursday, August 24th, 2017. A winner will be announced on August 30, 2017.

Judging: The winner will be selected by a prestigious panel of judges including:

-Elizabeth Becker, author of Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel & Tourism
-Bret Love, Editor-in-Chief, Green Global Travel and Co-Founder, Green Travel Media
-Edward Hall, Transportation Specialist/Tourism Coordinator, Bureau of Indian Affairs
-Antonis Petropoulos , Editor, ECOCLUB.com - International Ecotourism Club
-Jonathan Tourtellot, Founder, Destination Stewardship Center

Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:

Esthetic appeal and photo composition (40%)
Moment captured and message shared (40%)
Relevance to the "Local Traditions" topic (20%)
Prizes: The winner will receive a 1-night, deluxe accommodation stay at the eco-friendly Hotel Felix in Chicago! Hotel Felix (pictured, below) is LEED Silver certified and takes various aspects of the environment into account in its operations, including its art installations! (Air fare is not included.)

The remaining top-10 photos will be featured on CREST's social-media pages.

This Hotel Felix top prize stay is:

Based on availability (blackout dates apply)
Non-refundable and not redeemable for cash
Expires on 12/20/17
Eligibility: You must be 18 years or older to enter.

Content Rights: CREST reserves the right to use and duplicate the content submitted to this contest, with attribution, for the use of promoting CREST and the importance of responsible travel.

This contest is sponsored by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) and Hotel Felix.

Check out the winners from our Past Contests!