In celebration of World Environment Day this past Sunday (5 June 2022), The Travel Corporation’s Tour Brands are sharing how they are taking strides and investing travel dollars in advancing their 11 sustainability goals, as outlined in the brands sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right (HWTR) Anchored to the UN Global Goals, HWTR outlines with measurable goals the steps that Trafalgar, Contiki, Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations and Luxury Gold have taken to further protect the planet, its people and wildlife. From addressing the climate crisis through the brands Climate Action Plan, to committing to enhanced diversity, equality and inclusion through the launch of the brands DEI Strategy, TTC tour brands are making specific progress against their Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) .
“It’s our mission to make travel matter today and for the next generation of travellers. For years, we’ve been consciously working to ensure we operate as a responsible travel company, ensuring we leave a positive impact on the places we touch,” said Kelly Jackson, Managing Director of The Travel Corporation in South Africa. “We’ve worked diligently to expand our reach in developing regions and incorporate local-focused experiences on our trips that benefit both the visitor and the visited, while intentionally vetting and selecting partners that advance the United Nations Global Goals through our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences program. We’re proud to be offering experiences on our trips selected for the way in which they improve lives from grassroots to global, and to using our business as a vehicle for positive change.”
Specific progress of the various goals includes:
To Support Local Communities and the People that Call them Home – SDG 1, 4, 5, 10, 11
As responsible travel companies, all six TTC brands have taken steps to incorporate more conscious travel experiences across their itineraries and branch out into developing regions to leave a positive impact on the local communities that they visit as part of their MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences program. The majority of itineraries now include at least one of these experiences, which give travellers a glimpse into organisations around the world that are providing their communities with the skills needed to further sustain themselves and improve their daily lives aligning with the SDG goals of ending poverty, improving education and gender equality, reducing inequalities and supporting sustainable cities and communities.
For example, on Best of Israel and Jordan with global guided vacation company Trafalgar, travellers meet the women of Iraq al-Amir, a women’s co-op that empowers the local women in Jordan through handcrafted pottery and paper to directly support the livelihoods of the women living in rural Jordan. Continuing to support sustainable communities, Contiki, the social travel company for 18–35-year-olds, connects travellers with Syrian refugees living in Berlin on Amsterdam to Berlin to learn about the destination and history through their perspective. On Insight Vacations’ Amazing Spain & Portugal, travellers can learn about the art of flamenco dancing through the non-profit, the Cristina Heeran Foundation which aims to promote, educate and preserve the art form.
To Create a More Sustainable Future and Preserve the Planet – SDG 6, 7, 12, 13
From reducing carbon emissions and mitigating food waste to switching to renewable energy and focusing on local suppliers, Contiki and Uniworld are laser-focused on taking steps to preserve the planet while traveling.
Beginning in 2022, Contiki, converted to 100% carbon neutral at no costs to guests. To further emphasise their efforts to be as sustainable as possible, the Contiki Chateau de Cruix in France and the Contiki Haus Schöneck chalet in Austria have both switched to 100% renewable energy. The accommodations have also been working to engage with local suppliers and the Austrian chalet has donated excess food to local farms to help feed the animals as part of an ongoing program.
On a locally hosted rail or driving tour with Brendan Vacations, travellers can visit Killarney National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where visitors will cycle through the middles of the Three Lakes. This visit supports further education of the natural landscape and continues the preservation of the natural landscape.
To Ensure the Protection of the Wildlife Around the World – SDG 14, 15
Animal welfare is a central part of ensuring the places we live and the people we meet can live safe and happy lives. This directly aligns with the SDG goals to improve life below the water and on land. For example: on Trafalgar’s Wonders of Kenya, travellers can learn from rangers at the Ol Pejeta conservancy about its endangered wildlife and conservation efforts and on Contiki’s Northern Thai Highlights travellers visit the Elephant Nature Park, an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre that provides sanctuary for the animals and allows visitors to interact with them in a way that is respectful to them and their environment. In India, on luxury guided tour operator, Luxury Gold, travellers can connect with an expert naturalist in Ranthambore National Park where they’ll embark on a search for tigers and other wildlife that call the former private hunting grounds of the great rulers of Jaipur on Essence of India with Ranthambore.
The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) first official Impact Report details the progress of its 41 award-winning brands as they advance the How We Tread Right (HWTR) 5-year sustainability strategy. The report includes updates on how the brands are working towards TTC’s 11 sustainability targets, which are anchored to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. View the comprehensive Impact Report here.
