Hear from Caroline Bowerman, an experienced and qualified local Travel Consultant, with over 30 years of industry experience.
In a world where we are all now hungry for adventure and travel is more accessible than ever, a growing number of travellers are shifting from traditional holidays to something more intentional such as travel with purpose – responsible tourism. This new trend focuses on making meaningful connections, contributing to communities, and developing personal growth while we are exploring new destinations.
As part of my ongoing commitment to responsible tourism under the umbrella of Travel Counsellors, we’ve partnered with The Travel Foundation, a sustainable tourism NGO, to develop a selection of itineraries that offer premium, more eco-conscious holidays.
The Travel Foundation is a global NGO focused on sustainable tourism, committed to ensuring that tourism benefits the destinations it touches. They collaborate with tourism organisations worldwide to promote a shift towards a sustainable tourism model that prioritizes the needs of local communities. Some of the local projects that have been born from this are simply wonderful! I was fortunate to hear about the successes of some community projects from the Founder of G Adventures, Bruce Poon Tip at a recent conference.
The trips we have designed minimise the environmental impact of travel, support local economies, and preserve cultural heritage. What sets these journeys apart is that they are based on itineraries from our trusted local expert partners, but have been reimagined to be more eco-conscious. From planting a tree as part of a reforestation project, and dining at social enterprise restaurants, to learning traditional crafts from indigenous communities, and exploring a country by rail instead of relying on cars or flights, these itineraries help customers travel more responsibly.
Exciting itineraries range from trips through Europe to the Tropics of Thailand and the Forests of Central America! Just a couple of examples below …
A Thailand rail adventure
This exciting itinerary takes you on a journey through the beautiful and diverse landscapes of Thailand from the bustling streets of Bangkok to the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai and the picturesque mountains of Chiang Mai. This itinerary has been designed to maximise use of public transport to help reduce your environmental impact whilst in destination.
A family holiday to Costa Rica
Discover Costa Rica on this amazing itinerary that has been designed to immerse you in local culture. Engage with Indigenous Quitirrisí and Boruca communities, support rural development in Cope San Juan, and participate in conservation at COPROT’s sea turtle project.
These Enriching Escapes mark an exciting step forward in how we think about holidays – less about ticking boxes and more about making meaningful connections. By choosing these thoughtfully crafted journeys, I can help you to enjoy immersive experiences that leave a lighter footprint and a lasting positive impact. When travel is planned thoughtfully, it benefits everyone.
