Any company could use some green leaf on its website. If we truly want to travel more sustainably, it’s up to us to dig deeper and ask harder questions to hold our hosts accountable. They won’t always know the answers – which in itself tells you something about their environmental credentials – but more importantly, it may encourage them to do better as a business when it comes to environmental, social and economic impact. We asked some of the industry’s smartest operators to give us a guide on what to ask and why it matters.
1. How do you try to ensure money stays in local pockets?
Founder of Bruce Poon-Tip G Adventures
Why is it important: “The easiest and best way to ensure your money stays where you go is to do your research; Find out where your money is going wherever you go and make sure the locals benefit from it. G Adventures, pioneers in community tourism, offer a ‘surge score’ designed to provide transparency into the local economic impact of a tour, but this does not reflect the quality of the trip experience – the more local operating costs Stay local, the better the ripple score in these communities the higher it gets. A score of 100 means that all the services we use to create that tour are locally owned. “We also have over 100 community tourism projects on our trips around the world that directly benefit local people.”
2. Question: Can you suggest an itinerary that will allow me to travel abroad without flying?
Cat Jones, founder of rail travel specialist Meanwhile
Why this is important: “Flying less is one of the most impactful things we can do as individuals for the climate. Choosing to travel by train instead of plane not only reduces CO2 emissions per passenger by up to 90 percent, but also provides a truly enjoyable way to travel! You’ll experience scenic journeys (perhaps even from your bed on the night train), enhance your holiday by staying in more than one place, and support local economies by choosing routes away from over-touristed airport hubs. The hurdle many people face when considering flightless travel is initial uncertainty (Where to go? Which route? What to do? What tickets?). That’s why this question is important; It’s hard to know where to start! If your agency doesn’t have a flightless option, let them know Byway can help. Partnering in this way helps us empower the travel industry to bring flightless into the mainstream, making it easier for people to travel more sustainably. We want people to be encouraged to dive into rail and enjoy their holidays, for the sake of our planet and because it’s a richer way to travel. At Byway, we make flight-free travel easy with personalized rail, boat and bus excursions that include accommodation as a protected package. Our trip creation technology also enables flightless planning and booking for our partners; Thus, we can easily work with agencies such as Kuoni, Intrepid and Exodus, where we offer round-trip flights to pre-booked tours. ”
Question 3: How does your company work with local businesses to make sure you support the destination you visit?
Founder Jonny Bealby Wild Frontiers
Why is it important: “As a tour operator, you cannot create and support responsible and sustainable forms of tourism without understanding the needs and challenges on the ground, which can vary greatly from country to country. It is vital for us to communicate very closely with our global partners, who are the eyes and ears on the ground. In addition to the time we spend in each of our destinations, we are able to develop strong and impactful local initiatives and projects through these partners; These not only enable us to deliver great trips to our customers, but also support communities. We visit. Look out for companies with an ethos like this, which is key to our Wild Frontiers Foundation, which we established to raise greater awareness and additional funding for projects in the destinations we visit.”
Question 4: As an operator, how do you collaborate with the wider travel industry to affect change?
Justin Wateridge, founder Steppe Travel
Why is it important: “Collaboration is difficult; We must share more. We must work together. Examine what a company is doing to raise your awareness of issues and how advocacy is part of the company’s vision of creating a greener, more biodiverse planet. For example, is he lobbying for a ‘green flight mission’? This is a version of the UK’s current air passenger tax, which would end the tax break given to aviation and reduce demand for flying at higher prices as incomes change. -ringed investment in sustainable versions of aviation and other ways to decarbonize air travel. “This will make short-haul much less attractive and first class proportionately more costly.”
5. Question: Can or can you book me to stay or travel with a B Corp travel business?
Founder of Thomas Power Pura Aventura
Why this is important: “A company that is satisfactorily assessed as a B Corp is legally committed to doing business more ethically, and this is a simple way for a consumer to identify a company that considers its environmental and social impact. There are so many labels, badges, and promises that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Frankly, I feel sorry for consumers who want to have a great holiday instead of doing homework! That’s why I recommend asking their agents about B Corp’s business. Thanks to Intrepid Travel and its members, we are a member of Travel By B Corp, a group of UK B Corp certified companies covering everything from coastal self-catering homes, hotels and holiday parks to remote adventures. Sawday’s. “The more holidaymakers who are aware of this badge, the better, which will lead to discussions around values.”
Question 6: Can you help me ensure my money goes beyond my hotel stay and impacts the local community?
Jessica Blotter, co-founder Gentle Traveler
Why is it important: “According to our 2022 Kind Traveler Impact Tourism Report and our Every Stay Gives Back program, 97 percent of travelers want their travel dollars to positively impact the communities they visit, and through our Every Stay Gives Back program, every stay at participating hotels mobilizes funds for affiliated local charities Destination well-being, regardless of where the booking is made Hotels can easily communicate and celebrate the measurable positive impact of their efforts through a QR code and live community impact report. For example, The Stavrand, California, a women-owned boutique hotel in Sonoma County, Farm to Pantry ‘ as the local beneficiary, mobilizing 3,184 servings of fruits and vegetables currently grown in Sonoma County to marginalized families, while also solving food waste problems and saving emissions equivalent to taking 79 cars off the road in one day.”
Question 7: What do you pay attention to when booking sustainable accommodation?
James Jayasundera, founder Ampersand Travel
Why this is important: “I think sensitivity to nature and local culture is very important, from architectural style to being in harmony with nature, location and society. Travel companies need to teach locals to be proud of what they have. Encourage them to be more responsive: stop pollution, host clean-up operations and foster appreciation of the local among local people. You want to ask your agent how they support businesses that think this way.”
Question 8: Are you recommending this trip as a salesperson or can you actually mention the sustainability credentials?
Byron Thomas, founding MD Niarra Travel
Why is it important: “There is a big difference between a trained and certified travel advisor; Our team consists entirely of GSTC certified travel researchers; There is a big difference between the salesperson recommending the most sustainable trip possible for your dates and the salesperson offering the trip where the supplier has given them sufficiently green advice. But most importantly, it is a nice commission. Up to 35 percent of the room rate at the tour operators that most people use to book high-end safaris will not reach locals in the area. If they are serious about supporting the communities and conservation efforts that the trips are for, it is important to ask for transparency around the financial/commission structure.”
Question 9: If I want a unique honeymoon, away from mass tourism and all-inclusives, what can you do to encourage a more authentic experience?
Katie Terrington, founder Katie Terrington Private Travel and member Conscious Travel Foundation
Why this is important: “Instead of looking for a two-week, all-inclusive beach vacation, honeymooners are increasingly spending their precious time slowly exploring destinations, learning about cultures, staying at off-grid properties, learning something new, having expert local guides, and doing research.” As an independent travel designer, it is incredibly important that I work with carefully selected hotels, hostels, local guides, and other local partners who can help me create these experiences. There are local properties, standard excursions, and bookings for larger properties for higher commissions. “I tend to focus; I actively seek out partners that are smaller, more creative, work closely with their communities, are interested in conservation, and partner with lots of incredible local suppliers.”
For more tips on how to be a more climate-friendly traveler, explore the Sustainable Travel hub.