The Sustainable Leadership Award is a prestigious and highly respected recognition at the Tourism Innovation Awards. It celebrates visionary organisations that demonstrate exceptional dedication to sustainability, innovation, and responsible leadership, setting inspiring new standards within the global tourism sector.
Awards & Achievements
UNITED WATERWAYS
Management System Certificate
ISO 9001:2025
UNITED WATERWAYS and its subsidiaries (River Advice AG, River Hospitality GmbH, River Hospitality Ltd., River Nautical GmbH, and River Technics GmbH) are ISO 9001:2015 certified, confirming that our quality management system meets internationally recognized standards. This certification covers the provision, management, and oversight of administrative, operational, and strategic activities.
River Cruise Innovation of the Year 2025 – Finalist
The Seatrade Cruise Award is presented to companies, organisations, or individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to placing social and environmental sustainability at the forefront of their operations. Entries are evaluated on their quality, context, and impact, highlighting clear examples, measurable results, and the core values and goals driving each initiative.
Best Sustainable
Leadership
2025
Feenstra Riviercruises
Vakantie Award
Riviercruises
2026
The Vakantie Awards are prestigious accolades within the Dutch travel industry, presented by industry professionals to their peers. They honour companies that demonstrate exceptional quality and passion in the tourism sector. The awards ceremony took place during the Reisgala at the Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk.
Vakantie Award
Riviercruises
2025
The Vakantie Awards are prestigious accolades within the Dutch travel industry, presented by industry professionals to their peers. They honour companies that demonstrate exceptional quality and passion in the tourism sector. The awards ceremony took place during the Reisgala at the Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Johann Strauss has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in the inland waterway transport category. Setting new benchmarks for sustainable shipping, the ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards. Our proactive commitment to protecting the environment is recognised by the award, which also underlines our responsibility for a green future.
Green Award
Bronze
2025 – 2028
The Rembrandt van Rijn has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in the inland waterway transport category. Setting new benchmarks for sustainable shipping, the ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards. Our proactive commitment to protecting the environment is recognised by the award, which also underlines our responsibility for a green future.
Vakantie Award
Riviercruises
2024
The Vakantie Awards are prestigious accolades within the Dutch travel industry, presented by industry professionals to their peers. They honour companies that demonstrate exceptional quality and passion in the tourism sector. The awards ceremony took place during the Reisgala at the Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk.
KD
THE BEST
2026
Award
KD was awarded “THE BEST 2026” in the category “Catering”, recognizing the company’s high-quality and innovative gastronomic offerings. The honor highlights the continuous development of KD’s culinary concepts under CEO Nina Luig, as well as the creativity and dedication of its onboard kitchen teams, who deliver fresh, seasonal, and regionally inspired cuisine. The award also reflects KD’s successful combination of tradition and innovation in its anniversary year.
Gastro-Star
Award
2026
Nina Luig, CEO of KD, received the Gastro-Star Award as “Best Female Executive of the Year,” recognizing her strong leadership and the continuous development of the company’s gastronomic concepts. The award also highlights the strength of her team, whose dedication, creativity, and high standards make exceptional gastronomic experiences possible.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The MS RheinFantasie has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in the inland waterway transport category. Setting new benchmarks for sustainable shipping, the ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards. Our proactive commitment to protecting the environment is recognised by the award, which also underlines our responsibility for a green future.
Green Award
Gold
2025 – 2028
The MS RheinGalaxie has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in the inland waterway transport category. Setting new benchmarks for sustainable shipping, the ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards. Our proactive commitment to protecting the environment is recognised by the award, which also underlines our responsibility for a green future.
Zukunft Ausbildung
Award
2025
The Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce award, in the categorie commitment to vocational training, was presented to Martina Hofer from KD. This honour recognizes individuals and training companies that have made a special contribution to strengthening vocational training in the region. The Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce brings together current developments with proven best practices from the business world.
ESG
Bronze Medaille
2025
The company was recognised by EcoVadis for its exceptional sustainability performance. The areas assessed were environmental protection, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. With a ranking in the 71st percentile, KD is among the top 29% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis, highlighting its strong commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices.
ESG
Bronze Medaille
2024
The company was recognised by EcoVadis for its exceptional sustainability performance. The areas assessed were environmental protection, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. With a ranking in the 71st percentile, KD is among the top 29% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis, highlighting its strong commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices.
Oceandiva
Silver Technology Leader
Award
2025
Oceandiva received the silver Technology Leader Award at the ESG Shipping Awards for its leading role in maritime sustainability. The award was given to the fully electric event ship Oceandiva Nova, which innovatively combines design, experience, and sustainability. The jury particularly praised the company’s forward-looking vision.
Green Award
Gold Platinum
2023 – 2028
The Oceandiva Nova has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in the inland waterway transport category. Setting new benchmarks for sustainable shipping, the ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards. Our proactive commitment to protecting the environment is recognised by the award, which also underlines our responsibility for a green future.
River Advice
Fair Cruise Work Mark
2025
The Fair Cruise Work Mark award recognises companies that are committed to sustainable, safe and fair standards in tourism and river shipping. It honours businesses that meet rigorous environmental and safety standards, and that demonstrate transparency and responsibility in their business practices.
Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt
Green Award Silver
2023 – 2026
The Gräfin Cosel has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in the inland waterway transport category. Setting new benchmarks for sustainable shipping, the ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards. Our proactive commitment to protecting the environment is recognised by the award, which also underlines our responsibility for a green future.
Toursimushelden
2025
Passion, dedication and true commitment define the people who contribute to Saxony’s tourism sector every day. The award honours outstanding engagement and exceptional achievements within the tourism landscape. In the Travel and Tourism category, this year’s winner is Sächsiche Dampfschiffahrt, recognised for its innovative approach, sustainable efforts and significant contribution to the continued development of tourism in Saxony.
STARLING FLEET
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Antonio Bellucci has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025-2028
The Charles Dickens has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2024 – 2027
The KD Moment has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Monarch Baroness has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Monarch Countess has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Monarch Princess has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Monarch Queen has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Nicko Spirit has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Rhein Melodie has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Bronze
2025 – 2028
The Rhein Symphonie has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Gold
2023 – 2026
The Thurgau Gold has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Bronze
2023 – 2026
The Ultra has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Vista Neo has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Green Award
Silver
2025 – 2028
The Vista Star has been awarded the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable inland waterway transport. The ship meets the highest safety and environmental standards, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental protection. The Green Award recognises ships that exemplify sustainable and responsible shipping as a mark of quality.
Thames Luxury Charters
Best on the River
Silver Award
2026
Thames Luxury Charters received the Silver “Best on the River” award at the Christmas Party Awards, marking a significant achievement and a proud moment for the team. The Party Awards celebrate excellence in corporate Christmas and summer events, recognizing the venues, planners, and experiences behind them. The award highlights quality, creativity, and dedication across the sector, recognizing the shared effort and commitment of the whole team.