Alaska Wildland Adventures has received numerous awards and honors from leading local and national organizations in both the outdoor industry and from those involved in wilderness conservation and preservation.
- 2024 Winner of the Where to Stay: Nature Lovers’ Lodging category from Sunset Magazine’s 2024 Travel Awards; awarded to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
- 2024 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Tripadvisor.
- 2024 Best Tour Operator; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards.
- 2023 Best Workplaces Alaska Winner; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by the Alaska Journal of Commerce.
- 2023 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Tripadvisor.
- 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Tripadvisor.
- 2021 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award Contest for Best White Water Rafting Tour.
- 2020 Stewardship and Sustainability Award from the Alaska Sealife Center’s 2020 Alaska Ocean Leadership Awards; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures and Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge for the highest commitment to sustainability of ocean resources.
- 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Tripadvisor.
- Best National Park Stay from Sunset Magazine’s 2019 Travel Awards; awarded to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge and Alaska Wildland Adventures.
- 2019 Visit Anchorage’s Seymour Award for Sustainable Action; awarded to AWA President & CEO, Kirk Hoessle.
- 2019 Certificate of Excellence; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Tripadvisor.
- 2009-2019 Gold Certification by Adventure Green Alaska; awarded Gold standard certification by Alaska’s only Ecotourism Certification program for leadership in the tourism industry and meeting standards of economic, environmental and social sustainability.
- 2018 Certificate of Excellence; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Tripadvisor.
- 2017 Certificate of Excellence; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Tripadvisor.
- 2016 Certificate of Excellence; awarded to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge by Tripadvisor.
- 2015 Stan Stephens Stewardship Award; awarded to AWA President & CEO, Kirk Hoessle, by the Alaska Travel Industry Association. Read more about the award here.
- 2015 Certificate of Excellence; awarded to Alaska Wildland Adventures by Tripadvisor.
- 2013 Certificate of Excellence; awarded to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge by Tripadvisor.
- AWA President & CEO, Kirk Hoessle, named to U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board by President Obama.
- Best New Wilderness Escape; awarded by Sunset Magazine in August 2011 for Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
- 2011 Trips of the Year; awarded by Outside Magazine for the Ultimate Alaska Adventure.
- 2011 Gold Certification by Adventure Green Alaska; awarded Gold standard certification by Alaska’s only Ecotourism Certification program for leadership in the tourism industry by implementing new technology, develop innovative sustainability practices, or help partner businesses implement sustainable practices.
2000 – 2010
- 2010 Responsible Tourism Showcase Honoree; recognized by industry leaders for our diligent work to develop and implement sustainable tourism initiatives, particularly with the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge project. Presented to Alaska Wildland Adventures at the Educational Travel Conference.
- National Geographic Traveler’s Tours of a Lifetime: 50 of the World’s Best Trips; highlighted Alaska Wildland Adventures’ Alaska Life List Adventure as the best guided trip in Alaska. Recognized by National Geographic Traveler, 2008.
- 2007 Top Small Workplaces; recognized as one of the top 15 workplaces in the United States. Presented to AWA by the Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces.
- Outstanding Business in Tourism Award; for superior performance, dedication and outstanding support of the Kenai Peninsula visitor industry. Presented to AWA by the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 2007.
- Conde Nast Traveler International Green List Award; recognized as the world’s leading Ecotourism Tour Operator for commitment to sound environmental efforts ranging from sustainability to charitable contributions. Presented to AWA by Conde Nast Traveler, 2005.
- National Geographic Traveler’s Stay List; featured AWA’s Kenai Backcountry Lodge for commitment to location-inspired ambiance, ecostewardship, and community involvement. Recognized by National Geographic Traveler, 2005.
- Special Achievement Award; for outstanding support of the Kenai Peninsula visitor industry. Presented to AWA by the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council, 2003.
- Arctic Award for Linking Tourism and Conservation; for environmentally sound business practices, and promoting the economic value of ecotourism within the Alaska industry and government. Presented to AWA by the World Wildlife Fund, 2002.
- Alaska’s Green Star Shining Star Award; for eco-friendly construction techniques, site design and hydroelectric system operating procedures at Kenai Backcountry Lodge. Presented to AWA by Green Star, 2001.
- Ginny Hill Wood Award; for outstanding contributions to conservation efforts protecting Alaska’s natural and cultural resources. Presented to AWA by the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association, 2001.
- Business Most Committed to Success of Tourism on the Kenai Peninsula; for the company’s generosity, owner and employee volunteer involvement, and cooperative marketing efforts to promote the Kenai Peninsula. Presented to AWA by the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council, 2000.
- Denali Award; for outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and personal contribution to the Alaska travel industry. Presented to AWA by the Alaska Travel Industry Association, 2000.
Pre-2000
- Conde Nast International Ecotourism Award mention; for commitment to providing travel programs that are sustainable, responsible, and beneficial to the environment. AWA was the only U.S.-based tour operator recognized in 1999’s awards.
- Wild Recognition Award; for outstanding service to visitors and for being a good tourism industry partner while working to promote the welfare of tourism. Presented to AWA by the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1998.
- Peninsula Pride Award; for outstanding support of the Kenai Peninsula visitor industry. Presented to AWA by the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council, 1998.
- Outstanding Long-Term Program Award; for demonstrating an extraordinary concern for the environment through business activities and policies. Presented to AWA by the Alaska Land Managers Forum, 1997.