As part of a trend report for 2022 that was released recently by Hilton,86% of travellers highlighted that they want to travel more sustainably and would change their priorities when it comes to travel options.
According to the World Tourism Organisation the three pillars of sustainable tourism are: employing environmentally friendly practices, respecting the culture of host communities, and providing tangible social and economic benefits for local communities.
Here we look at four businesses that encompass these values and promote ethical tourism.
GreenGo was created by former Oliver Wyman advisor Guillaume Jouffre in 2010 to provide travellers with cheaper and more sustainable alternatives. Their key message is to “reconcile” travel and the environment by connecting hosts with potential visitors. Notable trip packages include their Kapawi & Napo Wildlife Centre in Ecuador’s Amazon and Bellavista in the Cloud Forest.
One of GreenGo’s carbon neutrality initiatives is in partnership with CANOPY CO, a carbon offset and development organization which has enabled GreenGo to provide travellers with carbon neutral flights round the Galapagos. The funds raised will be used for native tree reforestation helping reduce C02 emissions and investing in environmental research and rural development.
Bookit Green aims to help travellers find sustainable holiday accommodations. Their goal is to match sustainable travellers with their ideal holiday home whilst aiding the environment. When travellers stay in an accommodation listed on Bookit Green, they save approximately 6kg of CO2 and 90 litres of water a night. The business also plants a tree every year for each accommodation listed on their site.
Bookit Green has listings across Europe including accommodations located in Austria, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland making it perfect for travellers who want to explore Europe.
Book Different was founded in the Netherlands in 2012. With Book Different, travellers can browse one million sustainable accommodations worldwide at an affordable price using their green indicators. These include eco-labels, a carbon footprint calculator and a “stay green check” score which ensures that all accommodations follow a strict sustainability criteria.
They also provide travellers with recommendations of responsible destinations and transportation methods giving users all the knowledge they need for a holiday that is fun and sustainable.
Fairbnb is an accommodation booking platform that promotes and funds local sustainability initiatives across Europe. For every booking made on their platform, 50% of the fees are donated to a community project in the location of the accommodation. This provides travellers and locals with the opportunity to be contribute to carbon neutrality and fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation.
The business originally began in Venice, Amsterdam and Bologna but has quickly spread across Europe as more people are inspired by their sustainable tourism model.
Responsible Travel was founded in Brighton in 2001 with the desire to make travel more caring through initiatives that support local communities and preserve nature. They provide small group holidays or bespoke trips designed just for the customer.
When travellers book trips they have the option of choosing to send a disadvantaged child or young adult on an inspiring day trip. Since this initiative began, they have helped over 4,000 children’s lives. This is the perfect way for travellers to have fun and give back all-in-one.
Are you interested to find out how a PR campaign could help position you as a leading business in your industry and placing you ahead of your competitors? Get in touch today to find out more.
