Travel Eco-Friendly With These Companies
As we dream about our next big adventure, perhaps we explore an alternative approach- one that reduces our footprint on this earth and opens up a wealth of opportunities to reconnect with mother nature.
Check out 5 of the leading eco-conscious travel companies, vetted by WISe members for your utilization.
G ADVENTURES: Evaluate the economic impact on local people and business where it operates. Social enterprise and adventure tour operator that harnesses the power of vacation travel to spread wealth, empower women, conserve indigenous cultures, protect and train youth, and promote meaningful connections. Their Ripple Score represents the percentage of local tour costs that remain in destination. Across G Adventures’ portfolio of 2,600 supply partners, the average Ripple Score is a 93 out of 100- that’s 93% of the money spent within destinations and in connection to G Adventures’ tours stays with locally owned businesses. Learn more at gadventures.com
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL: Requires companies offering vacations via its site to meet strict environmental, social and economic criteria. Once they’ve been screened by Responsible Travel, these companies, ranging from tour operators to hotels, can promote their services on the website. The real benefit for green travellers is that Responsible Travel does the legwork for you, which means there won’t be any last minute worries. All offers featured on the site have to meet sustainability requirements, summaries of which are published close by. Packages vary and include adventure holidays, luxury trips and volunteer travel. Learn more at responsibletravel.com
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPEDITIONS: High-end eco tours to destinations on all seven continents with all proceeds directed to National Geographic research programmes. Travellers are encouraged to support local communities and are taken by tour operators to schools and workshops where local artisans sell their goods. Learn more at nationalgeographic.com
KYNDER: All hospitality establishments are reviewed and accepted based on the following considerations: 1) Eco/Ethical/Humane Practices 2) Fair Labor/Staff WellnesS 3) Aesthetic/Quality/Comfort 4) Purpose Driven/Community Love/Kind Hospitality. Learn more at kinder.net
INTREPID TRAVEL: Off-the-beaten path experiences to more than 120 countries around the world. With a variety of trip styles, most of Intrepid's Departures offer small-group trips where travelers use local transportation and stay in inexpensive lodging. The average size of an Intrepid group is about 10 people. To learn more visit intrepidtravel.com
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