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14 sustainable travel companies you can feel good about booking with

Do some good while seeing the world when you book with these ethical and sustainable travel companies

While we don’t want to labour on the negatives, you don’t need to be an expert or activist to understand that we are in a climate pinch. It seems a little contradictory to fear for the future while excitedly encouraging international travel, but we humans are an innovative bunch. Exploring the globe doesn’t need to be devastating, and being a responsible traveller doesn’t mean lectures and negativity. Whether you call it eco-travel, sustainable, ethical, regenerative or eco-travel, there is plenty to get excited about.

An increasing number of sustainable travel companies are creating itineraries that allow curious minds to see the world while keeping the impact down. The experiences are awe-inspiring, from hiking remote mountaintops to embracing the world’s most impressive national parks, allowing visitors to engage with destinations in a way that extends far beyond the superficial. If you’re looking for an ethical and environmentally driven travel company for your next adventure, look no further.

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Sustainable travel companies

1.  Byway Travel

In an ambitious mission statement, UK travel platform Byway declares that its goal is to make flight-free holidays a mainstream holiday choice. Their way of doing so? By helping people discover the beauty of slow, overland travel across the British Isles and Europe . Founder and CEO Cat Jones launched the now B Corporation-certified company during the first Covid lockdown, determined to find a way to reduce flight emissions. Her explanation was simple: If we continue on the current trajectory, emissions from flying are due to triple by 2050. 

2.  Gondwana Ecotours

Named after the ancient supercontinent that gradually split to become the land masses we recognize today, Gondwana Ecotours says its mission is to bring people from different continents closer together, one trip at a time. The New Orleans -based company specializes in small group and private tours that take on exhilarating experiences around the globe, such as gorilla trekking in Rwanda and eco-adventures in Patagonia and Mendoza.

A key component of Gondwana is its network of guides who live in the communities visited, adding personal knowledge, depth and authenticity to the experience while providing tourism-generated income. The company is also committed to limiting its carbon footprint through sustainable travel practices and is recognized for offsetting more than 580 tons of carbon emissions. Since 2021, its tours have been 100-percent carbon-neutral, as certified by the Cooler emissions tracking organization.

3.  Intrepid Travel

Australian-owned Intrepid has always been forthright in declaring its commitment to ethical and responsible practices. In 2018, it became one of the first global travel operators to be B Corporation-certified. Since 2010, it has been operating as the world’s largest carbon-neutral company, carefully measuring and offsetting all unavoidable carbon emissions for 13 years. 

Their trips are just as impressive. From 15-day expeditions traversing the extraordinary gorges and remote villages of northern Pakistan’s Hunza Valley to nine-day itineraries centred around baby gorilla naming ceremonies in Rwanda’s spectacular Volcanoes National Park, Intrepid offer true bucket list travel adventures suited to guests of all interests and abilities. In 2020, as a part of the Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency initiative, the company published a seven-point climate commitment plan – revealing its intention to transition to 100% renewable energy use in offices by 2025 and on all trips by 2030.

4.  Experience Travel Group

Operating on the belief that ‘travel should be about reciprocation’, Asia travel specialist Experience Travel Group holds responsible travel at its core, enabling guests to interact with the community and experience real cultural immersion on every trip. Another B Corporation-certified company, the team is dedicated to creating experiences that divert away from trendy hubs and big hotels. Instead, they build personalised itineraries with initiatives to give back to the community included in the package. 

On adventures in Indonesia , Laos, Cambodia , Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam , for example, guests can enjoy delicious local dishes at ‘social enterprise’ restaurants that support vulnerable young people through job training and employment. In Cambodia, a trip to the Phare Circus in Siem Reap sends funds directly to a performing arts school for underprivileged children in nearby Battambang. A three-day hike along sections of Sri Lanka ’s Pekoe Trail follows the old horse and cart routes that carried tea to the ports, bringing vital income to little-visited communities. 

5.  Seacology

In 1990, American ethnobotanist Dr Paul Cox was conducting forest research in Samoa when village leaders told him 30,000 acres of pristine rainforest were about to be logged due to a government decree to fund a school. Cox was horrified and quickly devised a proposal to raise the needed money to conserve the forest in perpetuity. His plan worked and has come to define the Seacology model: Provide material benefits to villages that pledge to protect their natural resources.

Today, Seacology offers unique ecotourism adventures throughout the world’s islands, where travelers visit active projects, interact with local people and are part of the formula that helps conserve both habitats and communities. Seacology guests also explore intriguing island environments, from the coral reefs of  Fiji to the rainforests of Borneo, while staying at well-appointed resorts and visiting important cultural sites. With all this tropical splendour, expect plenty of opportunities to scuba dive, snorkel, hike and kayak.

6.  Discover Corps

Discover Corps is the leader in the rapidly growing field of 'volunteer vacations' focusing on children, schools, animals and wildlife conservation. Yes, 'voluntourism' has often become a buzzword to cash in on thinly veiled claims, earning criticism and scrutiny over the years. However, Discover Corps operates with complete transparency and has become something of a gold standard for the model.

Trip itineraries are designed to connect travellers to local communities and provide a deeper understanding of the culture, issues, and ways of life in locations around the world. Many projects are in Africa , Asia , and Latin America and can range from caring for elephants in Thailand to helping to protect the animals in South Africa's Greater Kruger National Park region.

7.  ROW Adventures

From its beginnings as a whitewater rafting company in the US's Pacific Northwest, ROW Adventures has evolved into an adventure travel company that advocates the transformative nature of human-powered experiences. According to ROW, connecting people with nature results in positive impacts, and the company adheres to conducting business in an inclusive and sustainable way while promoting social equity, environmental stewardship and accountability. Human-powered activities allow participants to fully observe the surroundings, whether white water rafting in Idaho's Salmon River, sea kayaking the orcas in Canada, or trekking across Machu Picchu.

ROW also recognizes that travel is a large contributor to the world’s carbon footprint and subsequently mitigates the impact by offsetting carbon-producing activities whenever possible. At the same time, trips also educate guests to be advocates for locations visited, with special recognition given to the awareness of Indigenous communities and honouring their legacies, lives and connections to the land.

8.  Natural Habitat Adventures

Conservation through exploration is the credo of Natural Habitat Adventures , the official travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund. Nat Hab, as it’s called, is committed to environmentally friendly nature travel, stressing that its travellers become a force for change in addressing the planet's most pressing conservation challenges. Polar bear tours in the Canadian Arctic , African safaris and South American nature tours are examples of the company’s itineraries where tourism dollars become an influential incentive for communities to protect their natural resources.

Nat Hab also acknowledges that its 8,000 annual travellers on all seven continents expend plenty of CO2. To mitigate travel’s carbon output, the company leans into offsetting measures. From 2007 to 2019, Nat Hab offset 49,418 tons of carbon dioxide and has become the world's first 100-percent carbon-neutral travel company. They’ve also provided more than $4.5 million to support WWF’s global conservation efforts and continue to give one-percent of gross sales plus $150,000 annually in support of WWF’s global mission. 

9.  Cheeseman's Ecological Safaris

Ecology safaris catering to wildlife enthusiasts looking for an in-depth nature experience is what husband-and-wife founders Doug and Gail Cheeseman envisioned when they started their namesake company in 1980. Doug, a college zoology and ecology professor, and Gail, a naturalist, turned their passion for nature into a travel company focusing on comprehensive wildlife tours all over the globe. Working with local guides and wildlife researchers, tours are designed for hardcore animal lovers who are obsessed with travel and enjoy learning about the animals they encounter.

For example, Cheeseman’s  Palau National Marine Reserve diving trip in the western Pacific Ocean offers 12 days of snorkelling, paddling, sailing and diving among the awe-inspiring tropical islands in the region.

10.  Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions co-founders Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell took the first group of commercial travellers to the North Pole in 1991, completing the first-ever tourism transit of the Northeast Passage. That inaugural expedition proved a game-changer and positioned the company at the forefront of polar explorations. In the three decades since, its polar travellers have visited remote parts of the Arctic and Antarctic. 

With the Earth’s polar regions threatened by climate change, Quark is committed to raising awareness of these delicate ecosystems through environmentally responsible tourism. A facet of that commitment is the company’s Polar Promise to reduce its footprint and work with other industry leaders, as well as guests, to address the complex and challenging issues facing the regions. Coordinating with a global network of scientists, community leaders and sustainability innovators, the company plans to contribute a minimum of $500,000 each year in support of key environmental initiatives and sustainable development projects.

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SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

Private and small group tours to the world's best destinations.

Gondwana Ecotours specializes in small-group, guided tours to bucket-list destinations around the world. Sustainability is front of mind and we are constantly working towards reducing our environmental footprint, both globally and locally.

Our itineraries are carefully curated to include unique and fun activities that are grounded in meaningful encounters with nature, wildlife, and local culture, and that are physically suitable for most travelers.

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How We Travel

We are committed to providing environmentally sustainable travel . As of 2021, all of our tours are certifiably carbon neutral. Travel is a privilege that we don't take for granted and we make a point to support local programs that are focused on preservation and/or sustainability in an effort to reduce our collective footprint.

We invite you to join us on one of our upcoming adventures, whether it's catching the Northern Lights in Alaska , visiting endangered gorillas in Rwanda , or enjoying a traditional asado BBQ in Patagonia .

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5 eco-friendly tour operators (for your future adventures).

Right now, the world isn't travelling, but when it starts to: it's time to go green! Here, we highlight just a few of the excellent tour operators making it their mission to travel responsibly...

As written in our special Travel Green issue of Wanderlust magazine, your choices about who you travel with are often as important as how you travel .

Do your research and pick ethical tour operators who are also working to protect the planet. You want to be travelling with companies who respect people and nature. Smaller tours have less impact on the environment - and consider using local tour companies, too.

Here are 5 eco-friendly tour companies to consider for your future travels...

1. steppes travel.

As well as ensuring they are carbon balanced, Steppes Travel run the Steppes Fund for Change.

Book any trip and £25 of your money goes towards funding women's empowerment and wildlife conservation programmes, with another £25 going towards a UK tree-planting scheme and a nuclear fusion researcher at Oxford University.

Where do they go? Steppes Travel offer tailor-made trips, luxury holidays and safaris. There are a mix of over 100 destinations on offer, including Gabon, The Grenadines, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia and the North Pole, just to name a few.

Learn more at Steppes Travel

2. g adventures.

G Adventures set up the not-for-profit Planeterra Foundation in 2003 to help the communities affected by the social and environmental impacts of tourism, by empowering them to develop and conserve their own culture.

A Wanderlust partner, we've highlighted the positive impact of the Planeterra Foundation's community work and their Ripple Score initiative .

Where do they go? G Adventures offers a mix of award-winning group tours, embracing authentic accommodation and local transportation on the ground. Just a few of the trips you can view (and book) via our Trip Finder include tailor-made Peruvian adventures, trips to the Serengeti, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the USA's national parks.

Learn more at G Adventures or explore their trips via Wanderlust 's Trip Finder

3. responsible travel.

Since 2001, Responsible Travel has been an agency representing eco-friendly tours and trips that focus on local culture and people, independent businesses and wildlife conservation. The organisation also campaigns for positive change through its 'give back' programme.

Where do they go? If there's an eco adventure to be had, you'll likely find it in one of Responsible Travels' 6,000 tours. There are destinations in just about every content, from lesser-visited Pacific Ocean islands, eco-paradises in Central America, to the major European and USA hot spots.

Learn more at Responsible Travel  

4. intrepid travel.

Carbon neutral since 2010, Intrepid was the first global tour operator to end elephant rides. Now, with their not-for-profit Intrepid Foundation, they're also investing into a project in Tasmania, Australia to help restore kelp forests (pictured top), among other things.

A Wanderlust partner, we've also highlighted their successful efforts to double their number of female tour guides .

Where do they go? Known for the small group trips, guided by local leaders, Intrepid can take you across all seven continents, with countries ranging from Morocco and Tanzania, Ecuador and Guatemala, to India, Central Asia and beyond.

Learn more at Intrepid Travel   or explore their trips via   Wanderlust 's Trip Finder

5. audley travel.

Audley Travel work closely with local communities to ensure responsible travel is at the heart of what they go. The operator has an animal welfare and sustainability policy, and its charity of the year for 2020 to 2021 is Plastic Oceans UK.

Where do they go?   Audley Travel arranges tailor-made getaways and excursions to over 80 countries, throughout Asia, Africa, Arabia, Latin America, Australasia, Canada, Alaska, the Arctic and Antarctica. Essentially, the world is your oyster.

Learn more at Audley Travel   or explore their trips via   Wanderlust 's Trip Finder

More eco-friendly travel ideas:, 25 ways to travel and still save the planet, go green: 18 ways to travel responsibly, how to reduce your plastics usage on the road, related articles, looking for inspiration.

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10 Eco-Friendly Tour Companies You Should Know About 

Seeing the world doesn't have to destroy it. Check out these eco-friendly tour companies promoting sustainable travel and one-of-a-kind adventures.

• Using eco-friendly, green tour companies is an excellent way to enjoy world travel while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and supporting local communities.
• G Adventures, Undiscovered Mountains, Byway Travel, Gondwana Ecotours, Experience Travel Group, Natural Habitat Adventures, Responsible Travel, AndBeyond, Seacology, and Intrepid Travel are some of the best sustainable tour operators available.
• These environmentally focused, green tour operators prioritize eco-friendly measures such as hiring local guides, tracking community profits, promoting flight-free travel, investing in clean drinking water systems, reducing carbon emissions, and partnering with conservation organizations.

Arguably, the greatest joy of travel is the opportunity to experience new sights, cultures, histories, and landscapes. Visitors will often spend months planning, booking tours, scouting restaurants, and scheduling in some needed downtime.

Not all travel is created equal, however. In fact, many of the most common travel practices today have a number of negative side effects on both the destination and the planet as a whole. So, how can travelers still enjoy the wonders of the world without harming it in the process? One of the best tips for environmentally friendly world travel is to use an eco-friendly tour company.

Many of the best eco friendly tour companies in the world offer all the same advantages as traditional tour groups but have also taken extra steps to ensure they hire locally and watch their product consumption, giving back to the community they draw their profits from. The tour companies below are some of the top-rated eco-friendly tour companies in the world, ensuring that responsible and sustainable travel is available for every adventurer.

Related: What Is Eco-Travel? Here's Every Type Of Eco-Tourism You Should Know About

10 G Adventures

When it comes to ecotourism, there are a variety of factors to consider, from wildlife welfare to carbon emissions. G Adventures believes that the key to addressing these issues and everything in between is community tourism. Whether leading guests as they watch penguins in Antarctica or exploring the most beautiful hiking trails through California’s Redwood National Park , the key to sustainable travel is leaving a positive impact on the community.

G Adventures achieves this by hiring only local guides and tracking how much of the money spent on a tour goes back into the communities visited. This dedication to ethical tourism, paired with the hundreds of tours available, makes G Adventures not just an exceptional eco-friendly tour company but one of the best tour countries available for world travel.

About G Adventures

• Tour Locations: 100+ Countries
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Partnered with nonprofit Planeterra , Locally Hired Guides, Track Community Profits from Tours, Partnered with Travel Without Plastic

Popular G Adventures Tour

• Tour: Las Vegas to San Francisco - Hiking Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite
• Price: from $1,849/person
• Duration: 8 days
• Inclusions: Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Entrance Fees, Camping Fees

Regardless of how visitors are exploring outdoor spaces, one of the best ways to promote eco-friendly travel is to follow the “Pack it in, pack it out” policy, also referred to as the “Leave No Trace” approach. This means that whatever comes into the park for an outing leaves with the individual who brought it, keeping parks free of trash and wildlife safe.

Related: Road Trip Worthy: Exploring The Most Scenic Drives Across The Southwest U.S.

9 Undiscovered Mountains

The French Alps are one of the most unique mountain destinations in the world and, like many mountain destinations, are often the victim of predatory tourism practices. Undiscovered Mountains , which specializes in the French Alps, has a variety of eco-friendly options for individuals and families looking to enjoy the mountain snow.

Undiscovered Mountains offers a variety of skiing, snowboarding, and mountain tour experiences, all with local guides and sources from local businesses. Paired with locally owned accommodation partnerships, Undiscovered Mountains is the eco-friendly key to touring the French Alps.

About Undiscovered Mountains

• Tour Locations: French Alps
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Locally Hired Guides, Partnerships with Local Restaurants and Hotels, Trees Planted for Each Guest

Popular Undiscovered Mountains Tour

• Tour: Ski Adventure Holiday - Orcières in the Alps
• Price: from $780/adult
• Inclusions: 7 nights in accommodation, 6-day ski pass, Leisure Pass, and Tree Planted to help offset the trip’s carbon footprint

8 Byway Travel

One of the most environmentally damaging aspects of travel is the process of arriving at a destination. Traveling by plane can leave a large carbon footprint before visitors ever arrive. For companies like Byway Travel in the UK, creating an unforgettable sustainable travel experience starts with eliminating this problem.

Byway Travel is among the best environmentally friendly tour companies in the world; it promotes 100% flight-free travel, also called overland travel, by offering some of the best tours in Europe, all organized without ever stepping foot on an airplane. By avoiding damaging plane rides, Byway Travel not only promotes low-impact travel but emphasizes the beauty of travel itself by incorporating transportation into the trip.

About Byway Travel

• Tour Locations: Europe (including Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, France, Scotland, The UK, etc.)
• Eco-Friendly Measures: 100% Flight-Free Itineraries, Certified B-Corp

Popular Byway Travel Tour

• Tour: Avignon to the Rivieras
• Price: from $2,150/person
• Duration: 16 days
• Inclusions: London, Paris, Avignon, Marseille, Cassis, Nice, Menton, Alassio, Genoa, Turin

Planning a flight-free vacation? Keep the responsible travel going by booking through a sustainable platform like Fairbnb.coop . Fairbnb reinvests in the host’s communities by donating half of their commission to a social project close to the booking location.

Related: 10 Most Beautiful Eco-Tourism Destinations To Visit In The U.S. (& What To Do There)

7 Gondwana Ecotours

One of the most important things to be aware of when traveling sustainably is using tour companies that work with the local community. That principle is at the heart of Gondwana Ecotours ’ approach to tourism.

Based in New Orleans, Gondwana Ecotours is one of the best eco-friendly tour operators in the world, thanks to its widespread network of local partnerships. Whether travelers choose a local tour right in Louisiana or head to Rwanda on the other side of the globe, Gondwana Ecotours ensures local experts will be ready to assist.

If that weren’t enough, all of Gondwana Ecotours’ tours are 100% carbon neutral as of 2021 , a distinction established by Cooler, an emissions tracking organization.

About Gondwana Ecotours

• Tour Locations: Louisiana, Alaska, Argentina, Costa Rica, Norway, Rwanda, Tanzania
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Locally-Hired Guides, Carbon-Neutral Tours, Donations to Local Nonprofits

Popular Gondwana Ecotours Tour

• Tour: Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure
• Price: from $1,500/person
• Duration: 5 days
• Inclusions: Lodging, All Meals, National Park Admission, Audio Tour of Kigali's Genocide Museum, Cultural Activities, Donation to Aspire Rwanda

The word “Gondwana” refers to a part of the ancient supercontinent Pangea . This one-ness represents Gondwana Ecotours’ goal to unify the planet through sustainable travel and bucket-list-worthy tours.

6 Experience Travel Group

While there are a variety of eco-friendly destinations all around the world , these locations will quickly disappear if travelers and tour companies alike aren’t willing to give back to the places they explore. For the last 20 years, Experience Travel Group has offered tours throughout Asia, emphasizing exactly that principle.

Guides who work for Experience Travel Group don’t earn a commission, keeping the focus purely on an immersive experience. What makes Experience Travel Group one of the best tour companies in Asia, and certainly among the best sustainable travel companies in the world, is its focus on less-traveled areas.

Experience Travel Group makes a conscious effort to avoid areas suffering from over-tourism and instead takes visitors through the undiscovered corners of Asia, creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

About Experience Travel Group

• Tour Locations: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oman
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Avoid Over-Touristed Locations, Promote Local Businesses, Pledge to Cut Carbon Emissions By 50% by 2050, Investing in Clean Drinking Water Systems

Popular Experience Travel Group Tour

• Tour: Hidden Gems of Southern Thailand
• Price: from $5,700/person
• Duration: 15 days
• Inclusions: Round-Trip Flight from the UK, Bangkok, Chumphon, Hidden Island Tour, Khao Sok

5 Natural Habitat Adventures

The official tour company partner of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) , there is perhaps no better way to travel while supporting wildlife conservation than by booking a tour with Natural Habitat Adventures , another one of the best ecotourism companies in the world.

Wildlife enthusiasts can choose from tours across nearly every corner of the globe with Natural Habitat Adventures. From US National Park Tours to Adventure Cruises and Photography Tours, there are a variety of ways to enjoy animals in their natural habitats.

Natural Habitat Adventures promotes responsible small-group tours that get visitors up close to their favorite wildlife, all while donating over $10 million to WWF to conserve natural habitats and protect endangered animals for future generations.

About Natural Habitat Adventures

• Eco-Friendly Measure: Partnership with WWF, Carbon Neutral Travel Company, Green Office Policies, Zero-Waste Tour Options

Popular Natural Habitat Adventures Tour

• Tour: Bears of Brooks Falls: A Photo Pro Expedition
• Price: from $10,395/person
• Duration: 6 days
• Inclusions: Anchorage, Brooks Falls, King Salmon Run Viewing, Katmai National Park

This Bears of Brooks Falls Tour is available only from September through October each year. Since the areas are closed to tourists for the season, this exclusive tour gives its 8-person group private access to this remote part of Alaska.

4 Responsible Travel

An activist company that has been promoting sustainable travel practices since 2001, Responsible Travel believes in unique holidays that benefit not just the traveler but the destination as well.

All of the tours offered by Responsible Travel have been carefully reviewed to ensure that profits will be reinvested into the community and that locals will benefit from the visitors. They have also taken measures to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, including carbon-countering practices and a variety of walking tour options .

With so many ways to do good and promote green travel, it’s no wonder Responsible Travel is widely considered one of the most eco-friendly travel companies operating today.

About Responsible Travel

• Tour Locations: 100+ countries
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Carbon Offset Practices, Individually Screening Holiday Packages, Trip-for-a-Trip Initiative , Accessible Travel Options

Popular Responsible Travel Tour

• Tour: National Parks Hiking Holiday in America (Walking Tour)
• Price: from $4,400/person
• Duration: 14 days
• Inclusions: Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado Mesa Verde National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Descent trail into Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Las Vegas

Related: U.S. National Parks: 14 Road Trips To Explore The Best Of America's Natural Beauty

3 AndBeyond

An African Safari is a bucket list item for many travelers around the world, and for good reason. The wildlife here is some of the most recognizable in the world, and there are a variety of wildlife hotspots across Africa for visitors to enjoy.

Travelers looking for the best African Safari will likely find their perfect match with the eco-friendly AndBeyond . With luxury tours across 11 African countries, as well as sustainable lodges in Africa, Asia, and South America, sustainable world travel is anything but ordinary.

Operating for over 30 years, AndBeyond prides itself on its sustainable practices, which range from investing in the local community to decreasing its tour and lodging footprint by building sustainable energy and water structures.

About AndBeyond

• Tour Locations: Africa, Asia, Indian Ocean Islands, South America
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Investing Back into Local Government, Sustainable Electrical Micro-Grids, Employs Locally

Popular AndBeyond Tour

• Tour: Safari Game Drive in Western Serengeti
• Price: Varies (see offers page for current packages and discounts)
• Inclusions: Local Tour Guides, Private Cars, Remote Serengeti Viewing Area Access, Personalized Experience Options

Related: Namibia's National Parks: 10 Best Places For A Safari In Africa

2 Seacology

There is no denying that islands and their surrounding ocean waters are some of the most delicate ecosystems in the world. The nonprofit Seacology not only works to preserve these one-of-a-kind destinations but also offers exceptional ecotourism adventures so that travelers can enjoy these natural wonders responsibly.

This doesn’t mean that tourists will have to rough it on a Seacology tour. As one of the best sustainable tour companies in the world, Seacology has partnerships with green luxury resorts. During the day, tour group members will enjoy cultural sites, coral reefs, and lush rainforests, all without worrying about their impact on the environment.

About Seacology

• Tour Locations: Fiji, Borneo, Southeast Asia, Chile, Madagascar
• Eco-Friendly Measures: Grant Programs for Island Protection Projects, Island Ecosystem Conservation Projects

Popular Seacology Tour

• Tour: Seacology Expedition to Fiji
• Price: $2,310-$6,361/person
• Inclusions: Visit to Nukubalavu Village, Seacology Presentations, Snorkeling at Namena Marine Reserve and Somosomo Straits, Stay at Koro Sun Resort, Rainforest Hikes, Coastal Biking

Expeditions change regularly. To see upcoming expeditions, check the Travel page of Seacology’s website.

Related: 10 Most Beautiful Ecotourism Destinations To Visit In Europe (& What To Do There)

1 Intrepid Travel

Eco-friendly travel doesn’t have to be limiting, particularly for those booking a tour through Intrepid Travel . With tours on all seven continents (yes, even Antarctica!), there is no limit to where travelers can responsibly go.

Specializing in small group tours, Intrepid Travel has over 1,000 different tours available in over 100 countries around the world.

Whether taking guests island hopping through the Galapagos or on an epic journey around the Arctic Circle, sustainability is at the heart of Intrepid Travel. Carbon-neutral since 2010, this B-Corp-certified tour company is one of the best and most eco-friendly in the world.

About Intrepid Travel

• Eco-Friendly Measures: Carbon-Neutral Tours, B-Corp Certification, Community-Based Tourism, Intrepid Foundation Non-Profit

Popular Intrepid Travel Tour

• Tour: Western USA National Parks Loop
• Price: from $1,824/person
• Inclusions: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Monument Valley, Navajo Guides, Grand Canyon National Park, Kayaking at Lake Powell

Hiking through Southern Utah’s national parks is a strenuous activity. Pack appropriate hiking gear and read up on the hikes available in each national park to ensure a safe trip.

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10 of the best ethical travel companies

One way travellers can make a positive contribution to their destination is by holidaying with a company that puts something back into the local community

Intrepid Travel

One of the first carbon-neutral tour operators, Intrepid has invested more than £2.5m into grassroots projects globally and donated 100% of profits from a season of trips to Nepal to help rebuild after the 2015 earthquake. The first company to drop elephant rides from its trips, Intrepid is a leader on child protection, uses local guides and aims to double female tour leader numbers by 2020. On its 15-day Kathmandu to Delhi trip, guests stay at Madi Valley homestay, which it helped set up with WWF (from £1,044). intrepidtravel.com

G Adventures

This Canadian adventure firm works with social enterprises and NGOs across the globe through the Planeterra Foundation . It uses small, locally owned companies , helps develop community-based rural tourism projects and has a “ripple score” for each trip, evaluating what percentage of expenditure stays in the local economy. In India it supports Women on Wheels (female-only chauffeurs) and last year partnered with Wiwa Tours in Colombia, the region’s first indigenous-run operator. gadventures.co.uk

Much Better Adventures

With a focus on short trips in Europe and a strong responsible travel ethic, this company ensures at least 80% of the cost of a trip goes into the local economy and conservation projects. It works with charity Cool Earth, a leader in addressing climate change and its Adventures for Good collection was developed with Tourism Concern. Options include a three-day Raft, Kayak and Hike Albania tour with local activists to help save the Vjosa, one of Europe’s last wild, free-flowing rivers (from £350). muchbetteradventures.com

Undiscovered Mountains

This small tour operator specialises in sustainable activity breaks in the Alps, taking guests to areas where tourism has a positive impact on local people. All guides and suppliers used are local. A tailor-made seven-night summer holiday in the French Alps with choice of activities costs from €390. undiscoveredmountains.com

The Blue Yonder

This Indian-owned company has long spearheaded immersive travel in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and South Africa, ensuring maximum local benefit. Initiatives range from preserving a climate change-resistant variety of rice to its Chekutty trail in Kerala, focused on empowering local weavers. Its signature tour is 12 days in northern Kerala (£2,000), starting on the banks of the Nila, with guides who formerly worked as illegal sand miners, and meeting artisans who practise traditional ways of working bell metal, and practitioners of the state’s own martial art, kalari . theblueyonder.com

Adventure Alternative

For more than 20 years, this Northern Ireland-based company has been building a worldwide network of responsible trekking and climbing companies, guiding treks up some of the world’s most iconic mountains. Its Annapurna Circuit (£1,595) crosses Thorong La, takes in the hot springs at Tatopani and ends in Nepal’s second city, Pokhara. The alternative in its name refers to its business model – not outsourcing but nurturing its own local operations, and running development initiatives through sister NGO Moving Mountains to improve livelihoods in remote villages. adventurealternative.com

Better Places Travel

Working until now in Africa, Asia and Latin America, this company publishes the full impact of every trip, including accommodation and experiences. It advises on the least environmentally damaging flight option and offsets every trip at its own cost, while maximising the positive impact of each holiday. A 13-day South Africa Highlights tour (from €1,052) takes in the best view in Kruger, stretching down the river from Olifants camp; the buzz of Johannesburg; and the pick of the Cape, with wine lands, whales and penguins on Boulders Beach. In 2019, it is planning to add destinations reachable from Europe without flying. betterplacestravel.com

Justice Travel

Trips to Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil and Sri Lanka turn traditional volunteering holidays on their head. Travellers go to the countries to learn and engage with activists and journalists, explore local history, culture and nature, and then return home as knowledgeable advocates for the causes they have seen. In Colombia, for example, visitors can see how street art brings people together on a day tour of Bogotá ($55pp). On a more immersive 14-day trip ($3,600pp) , participants meet with former Farc guerillas in the mountains, party at Barranquilla carnaval (the second-largest in the world), and marvel at Medellín’s renaissance. justice.travel

Global Himalayan Expedition

Participants on Global Himalayan Expedition’s Largyab Expedition ($2,600), get to travel on the world’s highest drivable road, at an altitude of more than 5,500 metres in the northern Indian region of Ladakh. But the purpose behind GHE’s expeditions is to send groups of travellers to remote off-grid mountain villages, taking with them the technology and expertise to build a working solar microgrid. Without a solution such as this, these villages would probably never be electrified. So far they have visited more than 50 villages, giving their inhabitants the chance to study after dark, run homestays, and get rid of kerosene lamps. ghe.co.in

European Safari Company

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Sustainable & Green Eco Vacations Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 852 most popular eco, sustainable & green travel trips. compare tour itineraries from 266 tour companies. 1,632 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating., popular eco, sustainable & green travel tours.

Holland & Belgium Bike & Boat: Bruges to Amsterdam

• Cycle along tranquil rivers and past meadows, dairy farms, quaint villages, and polder countrysides.
• Get acquainted with local people — and local life — during a visit to a family home.
• Join a local guide for a boat tour of Ghent, whose history dates to around 600 AD.
• View the famous Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Sip authentic Belgian beer during a special tasting on board.

El Calafate & Torres del Paine Tour

• Hike and discover the amazing nature of Patagonia on our El Calafate and Torres del Paine tour.
• Meet massive glaciers, rugged mountains, and wide open, star-lit skies.
• Best time to travel: From October to April.

Hiking the French Riviera : from the back country to Antibes

• Wonderful contrast of mountain peaks & deep blue Mediterranean Sea
• Grasse the perfume capital & Vence source of inspiration for painters and writers
• Most beautiful villages in France: Gourdon, St Paul de Vence, Tourrettes sur Loup
• Moderate hikes above the French Riviera with wind sweeping views
• A mild climate : perfect to hike in winter-spring & automn !

Holland & Belgium Bike & Boat: Amsterdam to Bruges

• Get acquainted with local people—and local life—during a visit to a family home.
• View the famous Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO Heritage site.

Azores walking holiday: Faial, Sao Jorge and Pico

• The discovery of 3 authentic and wild islands far away from mass tourism
• The diversity of the hikes: on coastal paths, over craters and cinders, through pastures
• The ascent of Mount Pico (2351 m) with a local guide,
• All transfers included from the airport on day 1 to the airport on day 8
• Swimming in natural pools dug into volcanic rocks

Chile: Coastal Vistas & Vineyards

• Marvel at Humboldt penguins and sea lions as they lounge on islands just offshore.
• Join a captain in his small boat and help him bring in the catch of the day.
• Admire the pride of Viña del Mar, the Reloj de Flores—a large clock made of flowers.
• Stroll the cobbled, winding streets of hillside Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a local guide.
• Blend your own wine with a sommelier, then have it bottled and labeled to go.

The Beautiful Blue Danube

• CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Tour the major capital cities along the Danube
• Bask in the idyllic landscapes of the Wachau Valley
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: Imperial Vienna and Schoenbrunn Palace, the former summer residence for the Hapsburg monarchs, with splendid gardens and lavish rooms
• Budapest, 2000 years of history

8 Days - Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

• Travel with experienced guides and porters – with one guide for every two climbers.
• Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route, passing through cloud forest and moorland.
• You will be in the safest hands during your trek – with one guide for every two climbers.

All Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

Small Group Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours

14-Days Peru and Ecuador

• Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
• Wander through the charming streets of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Inca and colonial architecture.
• Discover the vibrant culinary scene in Lima, sampling traditional Peruvian dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado.
• Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you can explore Pisac Market and the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo.
• Encounter unique and diverse wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and Galapagos penguins.

21 Days Ecuador 360 Loop

• Explore Quito, Ecuador's historical capital deemed the "Middle of the World"
• Trek deep into the Amazon Rainforest to observe the wildlife
• Tour the Otavalo Indigenous market, the biggest market in South America
• Hike up active volcanoes like Quilotoa and Chimborazo
• Visit Pailón del Diablo, Ecuador's second-tallest waterfall

Golden Triangle with Mumbai Goa & Varanasi

• Tour guide in Delhi - Chandani Chowk (Cultural street market), Jama Masjid (Historical), Rajghat Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb.
• Visit to Agra Fort and one of the seven wonders of the world Taj Mahal
• Explore Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Sheikh Salim Chishti Tomb, Jodha Bai Palace, Moti Mahal etc with 16th century city - Fatehpur Sikri.
• Pink city tour - Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace Jantar Mantar and the local bazaars of Jaipur.
• Holy Ganga Aarti & Close experience of open Cremation & Sarnath with Guide.

South Africa – Wildlife Conservation Experience

• Going behind the scenes of the conservation efforts to protect endangered species
• Visiting an elephant sanctuary to learn about South Africa's gentle giants
• Tracking the “Big 5” throughout Kruger National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Learning firsthand about wildlife conservation from experts at the country’s largest reserve
• Reading and playing with disadvantaged children who want to learn English

Tanzania: Safari & Service

• Volunteering with local children at a village primary school
• Meeting local families and learning about Tanzanian society firsthand
• Seeing zebras, elephants, lions, rhinos and more on an African safari
• Hiking to a waterfall on the side of Mount Kilimanjaro
• Seeing firsthand the nomadic lifestyle of the Masai

Belize: Research & Conservation Experience

• Volunteering directly with manatees to monitor conservation efforts
• Taking a boat to a remote island off the coast of Belize
• Exploring pristine beaches and rainforests scouting for wildlife
• Uncovering waterfalls tucked deep in the jungle & exploring mystical caves
• Snorkeling over colorful reefs in the crystal blue Caribbean waters

Australia Beachside Wildlife Adventure

• Explore Sydney’s iconic harbor including the Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House
• Take a ferry across the bay to Sydney’s Northern Beaches
• Soak in the sun along Australia’s most famous beach – Bondi Beach
• Enjoy free time to explore Sydney’s cosmopolitan city center

Best Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours by Price

Top Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Attractions & Experiences

Top Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Experiences

• Waking up to the sound of howler monkeys crashing through treetops of your balcony next to one of Costa Rica's National Parks
• Exploring the vibrant coral reefs of Belize while snorkeling in crystal-clear waters
• Embarking on a wildlife safari in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve
• Reconnecting on a yoga retreat in Rishikesh, India
• Participating in a reforestation project in the Amazon rainforest
• Learning traditional farming techniques on a sustainable agriculture tour in Vietnam
• Discovering incredible biodiversity on a tour of the Galapagos Islands
• Witnessing the annual migration of wildebeest in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park
• Volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand and helping with conservation efforts
• Spotting Bengal Tigers roaming in India's Bandhavgarh National Park
• Cruising through the icy waters of Antarctica and observing penguins in their natural habitat
• Studying Survival and Hunting at Huaorani Eco Lodge in Ecuador
• Tracking silverback gorillas in Uganda
• Trekking Everest high passes in comfort
• Attending a permaculture workshop in Australia to learn about sustainable living practices
• Visiting sustainable vineyards in South Africa or Chile and sampling organic wines

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours & Travel Guide

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Sustainable vacations have transformative power since every step you take positively impacts the world. Travelers can shape the future of tourism by championing eco-conscious adventures. 

As travelers, we are ideal ambassadors to promote the benefits of ecotourism through education, understanding, and bringing revenue to parts of the world in need of ecological conservation. 

What Does EcoTourism Mean?

In 2015, the International EcoTourism Society defined EcoTourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education." These eco trips usually focused on nature and popularized the tagline, "Take only photos, leave only footprints ."

Today's eco vacations involve much more than "doing the least harm possible on our travels." 

Many tour operators are taking steps to actively and positively contribute to offsetting carbon emissions through forestation and clean energy projects, protecting endangered wildlife species, and setting up tourism projects that include local communities around the world and allow them to benefit from tourism.

Sustainable and Responsible Tourism

These two terms are often used interchangeably, and while there are some similarities, there are also some subtle differences. 

Sustainable Tourism is the idea of visiting a place and creating only a positive impact on the environment, economy, and local society.

On the other hand, Responsible Tourism focuses more on making the best choices possible in each travel moment: promoting best practices while traveling, always showing respect for the places we visit and people we meet, and protecting places so that future generations can still enjoy them.

Creating a Positive Impact

Irrespective of how we define different terms, the point of eco vacations isn't only to avoid harm and create a positive impact. By embracing this new and (fortunately) increasingly popular type of travel, we can make a real difference to tourism worldwide and its impact. 

Best Eco Vacation Destinations

Experience the beauty of nature while minimizing your environmental footprint with our curated list of the best eco vacation spots around the globe. From lush rainforests to pristine coastlines, these destinations offer sustainable accommodations, wildlife conservation initiatives, and immersive eco-friendly activities for conscientious travelers.

Known for its rich biodiversity and commitment to sustainability, Costa Rica boasts lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, and eco-lodges nestled amidst natural wonders. Explore national parks, zip-line through the canopy, or relax on pristine beaches while supporting responsible tourism practices in this eco-paradise.

Galapagos Islands

Discover the wonders of the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique ecosystems and endemic species. Embark on eco-friendly cruises, snorkel with marine iguanas, and observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat while contributing to conservation efforts in this pristine archipelago.

Experience the raw beauty of Iceland's landscapes, from majestic waterfalls to geothermal hot springs, on eco-friendly adventures. Explore geysers, hike glaciers, and marvel at the Northern Lights while staying in eco-conscious accommodations and supporting renewable energy initiatives in this sustainable destination.

Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of Bhutan, a kingdom committed to preserving its natural heritage and promoting Gross National Happiness. It's one of the best eco-friendly vacation destinations. Trek through pristine forests, visit ancient monasteries, and engage with local communities while contributing to conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices in this Himalayan gem.

Everest Region, Nepal

Embark on an eco-adventure to the Everest region of Nepal, home to the world's highest peak and spectacular Himalayan landscapes. Trek through pristine valleys, visit Sherpa villages and witness awe-inspiring mountain vistas while supporting local conservation projects and sustainable tourism initiatives in this iconic destination.

Discover Vietnam's natural and cultural wonders while treading lightly on the environment. Cruise through the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, explore the lush landscapes of Sapa and cycle through ancient towns while staying in eco-friendly accommodations and supporting community-based tourism initiatives.

Experience the blend of modernity and tradition in Tokyo, a city committed to sustainability and eco-conscious practices. Explore serene gardens, indulge in farm-to-table dining, and participate in recycling and waste reduction initiatives while immersing yourself in the vibrant culture of Japan's capital city. It's easily one of the best green travel destinations, offering an excellent learning experience. 

Types of Sustainable Vacations and Eco Trips

Embark on a journey that not only allows you to explore the world but also contributes to its preservation with our diverse range of sustainable vacations and eco trips. From wildlife conservation expeditions to community-based ecotourism, discover how to travel responsibly while positively impacting the planet.

Wildlife Conservation Expeditions

Join wildlife conservation expeditions dedicated to protecting endangered species and their habitats. These green vacations offer opportunities to work alongside researchers, monitor wildlife populations, and participate in conservation initiatives to preserve biodiversity.

Eco-Friendly Adventure Tours

Embark on eco-friendly adventure tours that combine thrilling outdoor activities with sustainable practices. Whether hiking in pristine wilderness areas, kayaking through scenic waterways, or biking along eco-friendly trails, these tours prioritize environmental conservation while offering unforgettable outdoor experiences.

Sustainable Cultural Immersion Trips

Immerse yourself in the rich cultures and traditions of local communities through sustainable cultural immersion trips. These tours provide opportunities to engage with indigenous peoples, learn about their customs and lifestyles, and support community-based initiatives that promote cultural preservation and economic empowerment.

Conservation Volunteering Programs

Participate in conservation volunteering programs that allow you to contribute directly to environmental conservation efforts. From reforestation projects to marine conservation initiatives, these programs offer hands-on opportunities to make a meaningful difference while gaining valuable insights into conservation work.

Eco-Friendly Farm Stays

Experience sustainable living firsthand with eco-friendly farm stays that promote organic farming practices, biodiversity conservation, and ecotourism. Engage in farm activities, learn about sustainable agriculture, and savor fresh, locally sourced meals while staying at eco-conscious farm accommodations.

Does EcoTourism Really Work?

Ecotourism has emerged as a powerful force for positive change, offering numerous benefits to the environment and local communities. By prioritizing sustainability and responsible travel practices, ecotourism helps preserve fragile ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and mitigate the negative impacts of traditional tourism activities, such as habitat destruction and pollution.

Moreover, ecotourism contributes to the economic development of rural and marginalized communities by providing employment opportunities, supporting local businesses, and generating revenue for conservation efforts. This form of tourism empowers local communities to take ownership of their natural resources and cultural heritage, fostering pride and stewardship.

Additionally, ecotourism promotes cultural exchange and environmental education, raising awareness about the importance of conservation and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world. By promoting ethical and sustainable travel experiences, ecotourism not only benefits travelers but also leaves a lasting positive impact on the destinations visited.

Tips for Being a Responsible Traveler

An eco vacation requires responsible travelers to make it worthwhile. By adopting sustainable practices and respecting local cultures, you can minimize your environmental impact and contribute positively to the communities you visit.

Reduce Plastic Waste: Bring a reusable water bottle and shopping bag to minimize plastic consumption. Avoid single-use plastics whenever possible and support businesses that prioritize eco-friendly packaging.

Choose Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Look for hotels, lodges, or homestays that have implemented sustainable practices such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and local community engagement. Look for eco-certifications or green initiatives when booking accommodations.

Respect Wildlife and Nature: Observe wildlife from a distance and refrain from feeding, touching, or disturbing animals in their natural habitat. Stay on designated trails to minimize damage to ecosystems and respect plants and animals in reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

Conserve Water and Energy: Practice water and energy conservation by taking shorter showers, turning off lights and electronics when not used, and using towels and linens responsibly. Support hotels and accommodations that use renewable energy sources and implement water-saving measures.

Support Local Communities: Spend money at local businesses, markets, and restaurants to support the local economy and empower communities. Engage with locals respectfully, learn about their culture and traditions, and consider volunteering or participating in community-based tourism initiatives.

Minimize Carbon Footprint: Choose eco-friendly transportation options such as walking, cycling, or using public transportation whenever possible. Offset your carbon footprint by supporting carbon offset programs or choosing airlines with carbon-neutral initiatives.

Leave No Trace: Pack out trash or waste and dispose of it properly, following local recycling and waste management guidelines. Leave natural areas as you found them, preserving the environment for future generations to enjoy.

Educate Yourself: Learn about the environmental and cultural issues facing the destinations you visit and strive to be an informed and responsible traveler. Support organizations and initiatives that promote sustainability, conservation, and responsible tourism practices.

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Reviews & Ratings

All in great company and superbly organised..

What an experience - a 3 day trip in the Atacama desert. Big skies, glorious stars, geysers, deserts, valleys and mountains - all in great company and superbly organ...

We will be happy to recommend your company to others.

We found Say Hueque by accident in an internet search and liked the fact that we could shape our own trip and pick and choose. The booking process with Lujan was ver...

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Explore Without Impact

- small group & private all-inclusive ecotours -, nature - culture - conservation, our mission, our services.

Ecotravel Adventures is an ecotourism company based in the USA, providing curated life-changing nature and wildlife itineraries that include unique accommodations, and cultural immersion experiences. Our locally-sourced tours aid in ecological restoration and improve upon the economic development in local communities across the globe.

We aim to provide rewarding, eye-opening experiences to individuals, small groups, and corporations so as to share with the global population the impacts of conservation efforts and benefits of sustainable travel. ETA and it's affiliates view the world and all its inhabitants through a prism of color and a lens of opportunity.

Clients of Ecotravel Adventures range from backpackers to honeymooners, travel buddies to LLCs. We provide various group adventures throughout the year, and an array of pre-made private trip itineraries. Clients also have an option to customize or fully build their perfect adventure with a skilled and knowledgeable world-traveler on our staff. 

Our Promise

Our ALL-INCLUSIVE pricing let's you enjoy your experience while we take care of all the organization and expenses so you can relax during an epic and memorable vacation.

Whether you seek an adventurous trekking escape, a luxurious tropical beach or a team-building retreat, ETA has the experience and passion to deliver you to your ideal des

Whether you seek an adventurous trekking escape, a luxurious tropical beach or a team-building retreat, ETA has the experience and passion to deliver you to your ideal destination with a carbon-neutral footprint and an itinerary to write home about.

F I N D - Y O U R - A D V E N T U R E

I had a fantastic experience on the iceland fire and ice tour i decided to go on the trip solo and was originally concerned that i would feel secluded but that was far from accurate everyone from the local guides to the trip leader and other travelers were so welcoming and adventurous. i can't commend the team enough- excellent customer service from the initial contact for information to the follow-up after we got home. i highly recommend ecotravel adventures for your next trip - solo or otherwise.

Raquel Lambert

Group Trip Eco Traveler

UPCOMING small group tours FROM ecotravel adventures

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Ecotourism Escapes: Responsible Travel Companies To Book With

Ecotourism is the sustainable and responsible route to experiencing the world. this new trend in the travel industry goes beyond sightseeing and sunbathing. dive into positively impactful practices and activities, whilst getting that much needed change of scene and pace from your normal 9-5..

Written by Phoebe Young

Published July 25, 2022

We independently research all featured brands and products. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here .

Get ready for some of the most exciting eco-travel experiences we can find, from some of the best ecotourism companies out there.

What is ecotourism and why does it matter?

Ecotourism is essentially brings together tourism, helping human communities and conservation of the natural world.

The International Ecotourism Society  describe it as: “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”

Ecotourism matters because it is a means of reversing the ills of the mainstream travel industry. Tourism, when practiced unconsciously and only for the benefit of the consumer, can do devastating damage to the earth and to the lives of locals.

By engaging in ecotourism, you get what you really want from travelling. Experience different cultures or uncover natural wonders safe in the knowledge you’re helping to promote and preserve, enjoying not exploiting them.

Ecotourism companies help the world by:

• Giving tourists memorable experiences that increase their understanding of a host countries’ political, environmental, and social situation.
• Financially or physically aiding conservation efforts.
• Minimising social, behavioural, physical or psychological impact on a host country.
• Expanding cultural and/or environmental awareness and respect for another country.
• Financially benefitting local people and their industries.
• Providing visitors with first-hand experience of the rights, beliefs and practices of Indigenous Peoples, working them and empowering them.

This being said, ecotourism is by no means a sacrifice.

It offers a far more fulfilling way to have a holiday.

Rather than a mindless short-lived trip, it can be a memorable, immersive experience that will shift your perspectives and remain with you forever.

• Check out our latest ideas and tried trips in  Eco Friendly Travel

1. Jumbari Family Safaris

A safari is a bucket list adventure for many but how do you go about it in a responsible, ethical way?

Jumbari Family Safaris  do all the hard work for you. They pride themselves on being a responsible safari company that’s all about conservation of the countries like Botswana where they operate in, as well as of the communities they work with. From encouraging no plastic to donating to   wildlife charities,  Jumbari have ecotourism in the bag.

They love looking after families and creating trips that will inspire children to become nature lovers and conservationists.

• How to be a responsible traveller while on safari

2. Seek Sophie

New responsible travel company,  Seek Sophie , connects you with over 1,000 vetted independent businesses in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal,   Sri Lanka  and Vietnam, which means you can discover off the beaten track adventures, while knowing you’re having a positive impact, supporting the local economy and being a responsible traveller.

The site’s local guides offer everything from   local neighbourhood tours  to hiking adventures, but what they have in common is they’re tackling overtourism of the same well-trodden spots and spreading tourism’s financial impact (and your hard earned holiday money) amongst more communities. Now that’s responsible travel.

• 5 Ways To Ensure Your Next Travel Tour Is Sustainable

3. + Impact Travel

One of our favourite sustainable travel companies , + Impact Travel (that’s Positive Impact) focus on upping the style stakes on sustainable getaways through partnering with some of the most beautiful  eco-friendly hotels in the world .

Responsible travellers can pick and choose from eight destinations, authentic experiences and  sustainable hotels  that subscribe to 12 principles of ecotourism that include reducing carbon emissions and paying workers a fair wage.

From domed eco-resorts in Patagonia and stunning Italian chateaus with vineyards to slow travel excursions that use the train, at  + Impact Travel , responsible travel has never looked so regal.

• Check in to our favourite  Eco Hotels

4. Better Places Travel

B Corp  travel agency,  Better Places Travel , started out wanting to offer ethical experiences in Asia but they now cover three continents.

These ecotourism experts know there’s no knowledge like local knowledge so they pair each budding responsible traveller with a locally vetted tour agency, so you can work out your perfect itinerary from Indonesia and Chile to Jordan.

Not only are all of their local travel partners accredited through the TravelLife, Better Places Travel make your trip carbon neutral, without you having to do anything extra. They include it in every experience.

Using the CARMACAL emissions calculator, Better Places Travel calculates the entire CO2 footprint of each journey and compensates for the emissions by investing in more efficient cooking stoves in Ghana.

Click here for more carbon offsetting options for your next trip .

5. Duara Travels

Responsible travel company,  Duara Travel s, focus on authentic village experiences, from Thailand to Tanzania.

Want to have a real ecotourism adventure? Book a three night stay in a local village, away from the tourist traps and Instagram hordes and share daily life with different cultures to get the most from any long haul or once in a lifetime trip.

Duara make sure that you’re the only travellers in the village at the time so you have a full on immersion and can create long-lasting connections. You’ll come home having met the people and community that your money goes towards helping.

6. Floogle Binder

Another B Corp certified ethical travel company,   FloogleBinder , focuses on the more active side of an eco-friendly holiday using unforgettable experiences to drive home the importance of conservation.

From wildlife workshops, surfing and hiking mountains, these are group camping trips with a difference, you’ll come home with a renewed love of the planet. They’re also a great option if you want an action packed eco-escape and don’t want to fly solo.

Don’t want to fly? These guys have epic eco adventures in Essex and  Wales , Italy and Greece.

Top 10 (Sustainable) Things To Do in Crete

7. Balance Holidays

If your idea of ecotourism is more about taking things slowly and focusing on mindfulness and wellness,   Balance Holidays   could you be your kind of responsible travel brand.

Balance Holiday’s sustainable yoga retreats happen all across Europe, at boutique  eco-friendly hotels   and serve up organic, often  plant-based  menus, partner with green transportation companies and work with the local communities you’re uncurling your concertinaed spine in.

They also offer meditation, mindfulness and healthy cooking retreats and a commitment to sustainable travel runs throughout their portfolio of experiences.

8. Nature House

Want to get away from it all this year and surround yourself in nature?

Nature House   is an inspiring collection of hidden away cottages across Europe, that are surrounded by forests, fields, lakes, rivers and just beautiful landscapes.

Choose from 30 countries and Nature House plants a tree for every night you book. If you’re looking for a quiet, eco-friendly escape, this is a great short cut to the best self-catering for a sustainable break.

Why Breda Is The Sustainable City You’ll Want To Move To

What is overtourism?

‘Overtourism’ is a broad term, used to describe a situation where so many travellers are flocking to a destination, that they have a negative impact on its local population and its nature.

Think the cruise ships of Venice (recently banned from the medieval city) or the crowds at Ankor Wat.

Want to know when a place is suffering from overtourism?

Does the list below sound familiar? If so, avoid a destination and consider an alternative.

• Tourists cannot view landmarks because of the crowds.
• Fragile environments become degraded.
• Narrow, rural roads become jammed with tourist vehicles.
• Wildlife is frightened away and has its habitat ruined.
• Rent prices rise so high that local tenants are pushed out to make way for holiday rentals.
• Indigenous people come to rely  too  heavily on the business tourists bring, and local industries and crafts suffer as a result.
• Seas and land become littered and polluted.

Overtourism has come about because of the growth of the tourism industry.

For years it has been considered and touted as ethical- a means of bringing money to struggling communities. Unfortunately is has now crossed a line, and is often doing more harm than good.

What can you do about overtourism?

1. there’s a time and a place.

One simple way to combat overtourism is to think about when and where you travel.

Visiting destinations during the ‘low season’ help keep the local tourist industry ticking.

What’s more, you are bound to enjoy them better when you are not constantly in claustrophobic crowds. Many countries, like Spain and Italy, still have relatively untouristed areas that would benefit from more business. They are just as beautiful as the beaches from the brochure, only a little further off the beaten track and will probably put far less pressure on the purse strings.

2. Keep your cash flow local

Try, as far possible, to make sure your money goes straight to the locals, as opposed to middle men. For example:

• Pay national park entrance fees to ensure your visit supports conservation.
• Stay in locally owned guesthouses.
• Eat at local restaurants.
• Take tours with local guides.

It seems so obvious, but sometimes when people finally get that hold they’ve been hankering after, they neglect to pack their ethical rule book.

Travel is a privilege, and it is so important to remain respectful towards the land and the locals whose home you are inhabiting. So, leaving no litter, honouring local customs, practices and religions and doing nothing to disturb wildlife are fundamental for overturning overtourism.

Need some tips on how to keep your trash minimal when you travel?

Check out our 5 minute guide: How to travel without using single use plastic

You don’t have to fly to the other side of the world for a life-changing experience

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Epicure & Culture

Food, wine & culture for the ethical traveler

Eco-Conscious On The Road: Amazing Travel Companies That Can Help You To Save The Planet

As enjoyable as jet-setting off to foreign destinations in search of new experiences (and food and drinks) can be, international travel has developed a bit of a track record for being less-than-enjoyable for the environment.

According to the United Nations Environmental Programme, emissions from long-haul flights and energy-intensive resorts have led to ozone depletion, loss of biological diversity, and climate change.

These effects are not only harmful to the environment; they take away from travelers’ experiences, as well. I mean, can you imagine a ski resort with no snow or a rainforest with no animal life?

Fortunately, more tour companies are taking notice of the impact their trips are having on their surroundings and have made ecotourism a priority.

Here’s a guide to the top companies doing their part to help make travel experiences rewarding for both their guests and their destinations.

Table of Contents

Natural Habitat Adventures

All seven continents

Natural Habitat Adventures (NHA) has been operating trips since 1985 and now operates in every continent on Earth (including Antarctica).

Trips usually range from 7 – 14 days and cost anywhere from $5,000 – $10,000 USD, offering everything from Canadian polar bear adventures to paddling through caves and traditional villages in Indochina.

In addition to their wide selection of trips, in 2007 NHA became the world’s first carbon-neutral company, offsetting all of the emissions from transport, accommodations, and trip excursions as well as all their internal office operations.

This offsetting is made easier through initiates like sourcing local foods on their trips and converting 12-passenger vans to run on vegetable oil.

To top everything off, they partner with the World Wildlife Foundation, and all together, the company and its guests have donated over $1,400,000 to conservation and research efforts.

Cheli & Peacock

Kenya, Africa

As one of Kenya , Africa ’s leading tour operators, Cheli & Peacock offer a range of ecotourism safari excursions across the country.

In order to sustain the environment their trips rely on, they have a rigorous selection process for choosing each of their safari camps. They look at each lodge’s waste and recycling programs and ensure all business practices are ethical.

As a result, guests stay in lodges like the Kitich Camp in Mathews Mountain Range that run entirely off solar power and use traditional bucket showers.

There’s also Elsa’s Kopji in the Mara, which hosts a “Trees for Fees” program where guests can support a child’s education by buying local plant and fruit seeds for their families to cultivate.

Most of their trips range between 7 – 11 days and cost between $4,000 – $6,000.

Guests typically travel between two or three camps and take part in various safaris where they can get to see leopards and elephants and even take part in yoga retreats .

Paragon Expeditions

Patagonia, Peru, Tanzania

This philanthropic travel company is committed to inspiring travelers to be more socially and environmentally aware by crafting meaningful experiences rooted in the principals of ecological and cultural sustainability .

They place high importance on educating their travelers about the indigenous populations in their trips to Patagonia , Peru , and Tanzania .

These trips tend to last between 7 – 14 days, costing approximately $5,000.

In addition, Paragon ensures that 10% of the proceeds from each of their trips go directly to the local community and charitable projects like the Peruvian Mountain Fund, which serves to protect the traditions of the Q’Eros nations, and Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, which improves the working conditions of the porters on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Arizona River Runners

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Arizona River Runners has been helping people raft, hike, and camp through the Grand Canyon for over 40 years.

During this time, they’ve seen the environmental impact of travelers on the canyon and have made a commitment to passing on their environmental knowledge to their guests.

On their trips — which range between 3 – 13 days and cost between $1,000 – $3,000 — tour guides explain the importance of proper waste disposal and explain the effect that even small amounts of trash can have on the local ecosystems.

The company also partners with the National Park Service (NPS) and Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association (GCROA) on special projects to remove invasive plant life.

Moreover, they’ve worked with Google to document a street view of the Grand Canyon to raise awareness about its declining health.

Journey Beyond Travel

Morocco, Africa

Based in Morocco, Africa, Journey Beyond Travel is run entirely by former Peace Corps volunteers who are committed to working with local charitable organizations to promote sustainability and ecotourism.

Backed by popular demand, they’ve created a JBT Project Fund, which allows travel guests to donate to the cause of their choice after completing an 8- to 21-day trip (ranging from $2,000 – $7,000).

These trips allow guests to experience local Moroccan culture and cuisine and get a taste of the Sahara desert while interacting with local guides.

One of their larger charities is the High Atlas Foundation, which works with local farmers to plant trees in the mountains.

By making a donation, tourists can help offset the carbon footprint of their trip.

Gondwana Ecotours

Alaska, Costa Rica, Mexico and The Amazon

With a name referring to an ancient supercontinent that broke off from Pangaea, Gondwana Ecotours is a company offering trips around the globe, with an aim of bringing people from all over closer together.

They have also made it their mission to maintain an environmental and cultural focus while providing the vacation of a lifetime, and are a Green America Certified Business, which means they have been certified by a committee that examines their social and environmental values and contributions.

The company has offset over 130 tons of carbon for their travelers’ flights through Carbon Fund , a non-profit organization that calculates the carbon footprint of businesses and the cost of offsetting it through initiatives like tree planting.

In addition, Gondwana also books locally owned hotels and B&Bs and keeps environmental education a major focus of their trips.

These 5- to 8-day trips across Alaska, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Amazon Rainforest range from $1,000 to $4,000 and allow travelers to participate in a variety of adventures from meeting reindeer and seeing the northern lights to horseback riding and experiencing yoga retreats.

United Kingdom

Departing from Edinburgh, Glasgow, London , and Dublin, Rabbie’s has won numerous awards for its 1- to 5-day trips ranging from about $60 – $450.

These include the 2013 titles of “Entrepreneur of the Year”, awarded by VisitScotland and “UK Tour Operator of the Year” from Goldstar.

The trips take excursionists through Loch Ness, Shakespeare’s England and the Isle of Skye, among many others.

Over the past four years, Rabbie’s has been able to reduce the carbon footprint of each of their individual travelers by 21% and have donated $15 for every ton of carbon used in order to offset their usage.

Through this, they have donated over $55,000 and have started a joint project to plant native hazel trees at Ben Lawers.

In September 2012, they began organizing school trips to their planting sites to educate the local community about environmental sustainability.

Now, Rabbie’s has expanded the project and created a Green Team for local children to learn about nature in Killin and help in Rabbie’s tree planting efforts.

What’s your favorite responsible travel or eco-friendly focused tour company? 

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Judi Zienchuk

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Judi Zienchuk has lived everywhere from Southeast Asia to Northwestern Canada. When she's not galavanting the globe, you can usually either find her on a bike or consuming large amounts of caffeine (maybe even both at the same time). To get more personal, check out her blog, Travvel Sized .

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Hi Judi, Good to see articles like this discussing the negative aspects of travel. It starts off highlighting the impact of air travel but I can’t see how these companies are addressing the issue. Offsetting doesn’t stop the emissions being created in the first place. It’s like droppng litter in your local neighbourhood and saying that all is well because you pay your taxes to pay for the street cleaners. A good place to look for enlightenment on carbon offsetting is CheatNeutral.com.

These companies are doing good things, but one is operating in Antarctica which was until recently the last pristine place on earth. Another claims to have reduced their travelers’ carbon footprints by 21% in 4 years. Good stuff but if they have increased the number of travelers booking with them by over 21% in the same period they are not polluting ythe planet any less.

Thanks for checking out the article John. I know carbon offsetting has a bit of controversy surrounding it because it doesn’t directly address the issue of producing carbon emissions in the first place. For this reason, I don’t believe that offsetting is a final solution for carbon neutral travel. However, I do believe that it can be an important stepping stone to get people to start thinking about their carbon impact and what they can do about it. I believe that people who have previously purchased carbon offsets will be more likely to start looking for ways to reduce their overall emissions and will be able to use resources like cheatneutral.com with a greater understanding.

It’s true that since Antarctica has gained popularity as a tourism destination in recent years its pristine environment has deteriorated. However, Natural Habitat is partnering closely with the WWF to ensure that as little damage is done to each of their destinations.

My apologies regarding the confusion about the 21% reduction in terms of Rabbie’s travelers’ carbon footprints. I have changed the article to say that “Rabbie’s has been able to reduce the carbon footprint of each of their individual travelers by 21%” as it is not the overall emissions they have reduced, but their emissions per traveler.

Thank you for your comprehensive reply Judi. I agree with your statement that travelers who have previously purchased carbon offsets will be more likely to reduce their carbon footprint. I used to offset my travel about 10 years ago, but was horrified to read so many articles on indigenous peoples being displaced by offset tree plantations. Selling a product or service as carbon neutral is misleading potential purchases to believe they are making a positive difference. As for Antarctica, in my opinion it is time some tour operators to stop offering trips there. I personally wouldn’t buy from a company taking travelers there. STA Travel pulled out of selling elephant rides in SE Asia, sometimes making a principled move will incurr a short term hit, but make the whole company more sustainable. I did not misunderstand the Rabbie travelers’ carbon footprints. I think I haven’t explained my point clearly. It is simply that many companies are reducing their carbon footprint per traveler / room night etc but are expanding so fast that the company’s total carbon footprint is still growing. I concede of course that they may be taking business away from less sustainable businesses, but our planet is not really seeing much benefit, as carbon is being moved to the atmosphere faster than it can be reduced.

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Opportunities for industry leaders as new travelers take to the skies

Travel fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic—airline revenues dropped by 60 percent in 2020, and air travel and tourism are not expected to return to 2019 levels before 2024. 1 “ Back to the future? Airline sector poised for change post-COVID-19 ,” McKinsey, April 2, 2021; “ What will it take to go from ‘travel shock’ to surge? ” McKinsey, November 23, 2021. While this downturn is worrisome, it is likely to be temporary. McKinsey’s latest survey of more than 5,500 air travelers around the world shows that the aviation industry faces an even bigger challenge: sustainability.

The survey results indicate emerging trends in passenger priorities:

About the survey

We asked about 5,500 people in 13 countries, half of them women, to answer 36 questions in July 2021. Each had taken one or more flights in the previous 12 months. More than 25 percent took at least half of their flights for business reasons; 5 percent had taken more than eight flights in the previous 24 months. They ranged in age from 18 to over 75 and hailed from the US and Canada, the UK, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Japan, Australia, and Brazil.

Topics included concerns about climate change and carbon emissions, carbon reduction measures, and factors influencing tourism stays and activities.

We compared the results to those of a survey asking the same questions that we conducted in July 2019.

• Most passengers understand that aviation has a significant impact on the environment. Emissions are now the top concern of respondents in 11 of the 13 countries polled, up from four in the 2019 survey. More than half of respondents said they’re “really worried” about climate change, and that aviation should become carbon neutral in the future.
• Travelers continue to prioritize price and connections over sustainability in booking decisions, for now. This may be partly because no airline has built a business system or brand promise on sustainability. Also, some consumers may currently be less concerned about their own impact because they’re flying less frequently in the pandemic. That said, almost 40 percent of travelers globally are now willing to pay at least two percent more for carbon-neutral tickets, or about $20 for a $1,000 round-trip, and 36 percent plan to fly less to reduce their climate impact.
• Attitudes and preferences vary widely among countries and customer segments. Around 60 percent of travelers in Spain are willing to pay more for carbon-neutral flights, for example, compared to nine percent in India and two percent in Japan.

This article outlines steps that airlines, airports, and their suppliers could take to respond to changing attitudes and preferences. The survey findings suggest that airlines may need to begin with gaining a deeper understanding of changes across heterogenous customer segments and geographies. With those insights in hand, they could tailor their communications, products, and services to differentiate their brands, build awareness among each passenger segment, and better connect with customers.

Would you like to learn more about our Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice ?

The survey findings point to fundamental and ongoing changes in consumer behavior.

After a decade of steady growth in passenger traffic, air travel was hit hard by the pandemic. International air travel immediately fell by almost 100 percent, and overall bookings declined by more than 60 percent for 2020, according to Airports Council International. At the time of writing, revenue passenger miles have returned to close to pre-pandemic levels in the United States, but still lag behind in other markets. 2 “COVID-19: October 2021 traffic data,” International Air Transport Association (IATA), December 8, 2021. In its October 2021 report, before the Omicron variant emerged, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast that the industry’s losses would be around $52 billion in 2021 and $12 billion in 2022. 3 “Economic performance of the airline industry,” IATA, October 4, 2021.

Furthermore, travelers’ preferences and behaviors have changed sharply during the pandemic, particularly around health and safety requirements. An Ipsos survey for the World Economic Forum found that, on average, three in four adults across 28 countries agreed that COVID-19 vaccine passports should be required of travelers to enter their country and that they would be effective in making travel and large events safe. 4 “Global public backs COVID-19 vaccine passports for international travel,” Ipsos, April 28, 2021. And a 2021 survey by Expedia Group found that people buying plane tickets now care more about health, safety, and flexibility than previously. But, there is also renewed interest in travel as nearly one in five travelers expected travel to be the thing they spent the most on in 2021, one in three had larger travel budgets for the year, and many were looking for new experiences such as once-in-a-lifetime trips. 5 “New research: How travelers are making decisions for the second half of 2021,” Skift, August 26, 2021.

Comparing McKinsey’s 2019 and 2021 survey results, sustainability remains a priority as respondents show similar levels of concern about climate change, continue to believe that aviation must become carbon neutral, and want their governments to step in to reduce airline emissions. Some changes were more striking. The share of respondents who say they plan to fly less to minimize their environmental impact rose five percentage points to 36 percent. In 2021 half of all respondents said they want to fly less after the pandemic. Changes in opinion varied across markets. Passengers in the UK, US, and Saudi Arabia, for example, were more likely to feel “flygskam,” (shame about flying) while those in Spain, Poland, and Australia felt significantly less guilty about flying.

It is worth tracking these trends in each market and demographic, because passengers’ experiences and opinions are increasingly relevant: passengers spend far more time online, increasingly trust each other’s recommendations more than traditional marketing, and can reshape brand perceptions faster than ever. 6 “ Understanding the ever-evolving, always-surprising consumer ,” McKinsey, August 31, 2021. In some markets consumers may reward airlines that meet rising demands for environmental sustainability—and punish those who fall behind.

The Australian airline Qantas may be acting on a similar belief. In November 2021, it announced a new “green tier” in its loyalty program. The initiative, based on feedback from passengers, is “designed to encourage, and recognize the airline’s 13 million frequent flyers for doing things like offsetting their flights, staying in eco-hotels, walking to work, and installing solar panels at home”. Qantas states that it is one of the largest private-sector buyers of Australian carbon credits, and it will use program funds to support more conservation and environmental projects. 7 “Qantas frequent flyers to be rewarded for being sustainable,” Qantas media release, November 26,, 2021. “A look at how people around the world view climate change,” Pew Research April 18, 2019. Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation climate change survey, July 9 to August 5, 2019.

Given these shifting trends, it may be helpful for all industry stakeholders to maintain a deep and up-to-date understanding of consumer segments in each market that they serve. Three main findings about today’s travelers emerged from the 2021 survey:

Finding 1: Most travelers now have concerns about climate change and carbon emissions—and many are prepared to act on these concerns

Concern about carbon emissions from aviation did not rise much during the pandemic, probably in part because air travel declined so sharply. About 56 percent of respondents said they were worried about climate change, and 54 percent said aviation should “definitely become carbon neutral” in the future.

While these numbers have increased only one or two percentage points since 2019, the share of respondents who rank CO 2 emissions as their top concern about aviation—ahead of concerns such as noise pollution and mass tourism—rose by nine percentage points to 34 percent. More than 30 percent of respondents have paid to offset their CO2 emissions from air travel.

Finding 2: Price and connections still matter much more than emissions to most travelers

Of the nine major factors travelers consider when booking a flight, carbon emissions consistently rank as sixth-most important across customer segments. This may be partly because most airline marketing centers around low cost or superior service, and pricing and revenue management are targeted at price and best connection. Most booking websites allow prospective travelers to sort by price and number of connections, for example, but not by carbon footprint. Google Flights has made a first step, showing average CO2 emissions per flight and improving transparency for travelers.

Travelers might begin to make different choices if emissions featured more prominently in the booking process—particularly if more airlines offered CO 2 reduction measures that delivered genuine environmental impact.

Finding 3: Attitudes vary widely by demographics and geography

Beliefs about the seriousness of climate change, and how to respond to it, vary across demographics and geographies (exhibit). Although younger people are generally more aware of the predicted consequences of climate change, older cohorts have become more concerned about climate change since the 2019 survey. In some countries, large majorities see climate change as a major threat, while that represents a minority view in other countries.

The survey shows that frequent travelers feel slightly more shame about flying than other respondents—37 percent compared to 30 percent—but show a much lower intention to reduce their air travel to minimize their climate impact, at 19 percent compared to 38 percent.

According to Pew Research, more than 80 percent of people in Greece, Spain, France, and South Korea believe climate change is a major threat, compared to around 40 percent of those in Russia, Nigeria, and Israel. 8 “A look at how people around the world view climate change,” Pew Research April 18, 2019. According to 2019 polling by the Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation, more than three-quarters of Americans believe it represents a major problem or a crisis—but fewer than half are willing to pay to help address it. 9 Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation climate change survey, July 9 to August 5, 2019.

These numbers may change quickly in the next few years as discussions about climate change become less abstract as oceans rise and storms, forest fires, and droughts become more severe. Instead of being one topic of concern among many, millions more people around the world may come to see climate change as today’s greatest challenge.

This shift seems to be apparent in government action, especially in mature economies. The US, for example, announced its intention to exit the Paris Agreement in June 2017 but pledged to rejoin in April 2021. 10 “Climate change: US formally withdraws from Paris agreement,” BBC, November 4, 2020; “President Biden sets 2030 greenhouse gas pollution reduction target,” White House fact sheet, April 22, 2021. And in September, the White House set a goal for the country to produce 3 billion gallons of sustainable aircraft fuel annually by 2030—up from about 4.5 million gallons produced in the US in 2020—which would cut carbon emissions from flying by 20 percent compared with taking no action. 11 “Biden administration advances the future of sustainable fuels in American aviation,” White House fact sheet, September 9, 2021.

Taking stock of the pandemic’s impact on global aviation

How the industry can be cleared for takeoff.

Travelers’ attitudes and behaviors appear to be in flux, and will likely continue to change. Depending on the world’s progress in preventing and treating COVID-19, the industry will likely take at least a couple of years to recover from the downdrafts caused by the pandemic.

In this unique moment in aviation history, airlines may be able to communicate in new ways to inspire passengers to join the fight against climate change. Based on McKinsey’s experience in aviation and other industries around the world, there may be an opportunity for carriers to make it “easy to do good”. When following such an approach, experience shows that customers are drawn to straightforward language, demonstrations of what the industry is doing in this area, and the tangible benefits of those efforts. The most compelling stories are positive and connect with customers’ emotional needs.

As in the early days of travel advertising, airlines could reinforce the idea that the journey is the destination—that “getting there is half the fun.” By inviting customers to get involved in creating a greener future and own the solution, they could forge new partnerships and deepen loyalty.

Actual progress will be essential; organizations that talk about sustainability without demonstrating action may quickly be held to account. Simply keeping pace with trends or regulatory requirements will offer no advantages. Airlines that move boldly, such as by replacing rather than modifying a loyalty program with some kind of “planet-positive” scheme, will stand out from competitors.

The survey results and McKinsey’s work in the industry lead us to believe that the market is ready for a forward-thinking airline to chart a route to a cleaner future for the industry. Leading airlines that build a business strategy and brand promise on sustainability will likely attract a growing share of business and leisure travelers, fresh capital and talent, and new allies across the industry, government, and society at large.

In the years ahead, more customers will be willing to pay for sustainability, particularly if airlines can engage them with interesting approaches, such as gamification in frequent flyer programs, opt-out rather than opt-in offsets, “green fast lanes” for check-ins and security control, and customized emission-reduction offers. Decarbonization could become the standard to reach and maintain next-tier levels in loyalty programs. Passengers will be able to join the global decarbonization team and transform flight shame into flight pride.

Like many private flyers, corporate customers will look for ways to mitigate their CO 2 footprint. Passenger and cargo airlines could craft attractive decarbonization programs to engage the rising numbers of corporates aiming to significantly reduce their scope 3 emissions from air transport.

No single set of approaches will be effective in every geography or with every passenger segment. But airlines with a deep understanding of their customers’ changing needs and desires will continue to outperform those that don’t. Such organizations could recruit more of their passengers to the decarbonization team while protecting their brands, the future of aviation, and the planet itself.

Mishal Ahmad is a manager in McKinsey’s New Jersey office, Frederik Franz is a senior associate in the Berlin office, Tomas Nauclér is a senior partner the Stockholm office, and Daniel Riefer is an associate partner in the Munich office.

The authors would like to thank Joost Krämer for his contributions to this article.

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The Difficulty of Enforcing Laws on Feeding Wild Animals

There is a certain intimacy felt when gazing into the eyes, the “windows of the soul” if you will, of a wild animal. To see a wild creature, in all its splendor, behaving naturally in its native habitat is an experience that can’t be replicated in any zoo or animal sanctuary. When it comes to wildlife tourism, people will pay big money for these experiences, and when done in a manner that doesn’t alter the animal’s natural behavior, they can provide opportunities to increase appreciation and awareness of the intrinsic value of these animals, which in turn promotes empathy for other living creatures.

However, due to a lack of information available, many tourists support unscrupulous tour operators who create unnatural experiences by feeding wild animals in order to provide their clients with an up-close and personal encounter. People’s unawareness of the dangers of feeding wild animals, and tour operators’ willingness to exploit this ignorance, happens everywhere.

While Costa Rica has earned the reputation as one of the most environmentally-conscious countries in the world, with strong environmental laws to boot, the illegal practice of feeding wild animals for profit continues in the country, often openly and without legal repercussions.

In places where wild animals are known to gather, frequently there are signs that state “Don’t Feed the Wildlife.” Often these signs are expressed through images of a hand feeding an animal, with the universal prohibition sign of a red circle and slash across the image, making the undesired action clear, but offering little else in the way of context.

This begs the question of why it is wrong to feed wild animals. If confronted with this question directly, many probably would not be able to provide a complete response. While some may say that it makes the animal more aggressive or that it is bad for its health – both of which are true – most do not realize that feeding wild animals also changes their natural behaviors, which has dire consequences for the creatures’ survival.

Since every wild animal needs to utilize its skills in foraging or hunting in order to survive, by feeding these animals, humans interrupt this natural process so that the animal can become dependent on handouts and forget how to use the skills they need to obtain their own food, which can result in death from starvation. Essentially, the action of feeding enables these creatures by encouraging them to engage in behaviors that are damaging to their own health, which is not altogether different from financially supporting a person with a substance abuse problem.

The practice of feeding wildlife in Costa Rica by tour operators is especially prevalent with the crocodiles and monkeys in the Central Pacific. The town of Tárcoles is famous for its “Crocodile Bridge” and it is not a closely-guarded secret that many of the tour operators that run the boat trips in the Tárcoles River are feeding these crocs. Being reptiles, and by nature cold-blooded, crocodiles spend much of the day lying still and sunning themselves on river banks to regulate their body temperatures.

However, seeing a crocodile lie around does not garner the same amount of excitement as seeing it spring into action when on the hunt. YouTube videos of crocodiles hunting are dramatic, and in order to replicate these exhilarating experiences many tour operators will feed the crocs at Tárcoles, with guides taking personal risks by getting extremely close to the animals in order to provide tourists with a sensational Instagram-worthy video. Not only is this practice detrimental to the animals’ survival, as previously stated, but it also habituates these predators to humans.

Even though the American Crocodile, the species found in Costa Rica, is not likely to eat a human, when an individual starts to associate humans with food, the predator will instinctively go after the source of the food, and often has difficulty distinguishing between the food that the person is feeding it and the person themself. In essence, it could literally “bite the hand that feeds it” and the results may be deadly. A former employee of one of three main tour operators in Tárcoles claimed that all of the companies have been feeding the crocodiles for years, and although it is against the law, there have been little to no fines or repercussions for these actions.

Ariel Darío Lara Araya, the Wildlife Program Coordinator for the Central Pacific Conservation Area of SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación), the government agency in charge of overseeing wildlife protection, said that the wildlife conservation law (N° 7317, Article 116) states explicitly that it is illegal to feed wild animals in Costa Rica. However, enforcing this law is difficult because SINAC needs physical evidence to prove the law has been violated.

A system in place, SITADA (Sistema Integrado de Trámite de Denuncias Ambientales), allows environmental complaints to be made, and SINAC conducts investigations based on these complaints, but when they go to the sites of where these alleged infractions are incurring, it is difficult to find conclusive evidence, without catching the offenders redhanded.

While visual evidence, such as online photos or videos of guides feeding crocodiles, can be sent to the prosecutor’s office for due process, if deemed an infraction has taken place, the punishments usually involve negligible fines. While a more powerful deterrent may be the threat of closing down the business, SINAC does not have the authority to take this action, since the businesses that allegedly feed the animals are not categorized under “wildlife management,” as stipulated by the environmental legislation, so SINAC has little more they can do to discourage breaking environmental laws.

Not to be outdone by the crocodile tours, just north of Quepos, there are companies that offer clients an intimate experience with White-faced Capuchin Monkeys by taking them on boats into the mangroves of Isla Damas, and encouraging them to feed the monkeys right out of their own hands.

On many accounts, the monkeys crawl over the guests to get to the food. Although these primates may not present the same immediate physical danger that a crocodile may pose, the animals are equally harmed from a behavioral point of view when people feed them.

Just a few kilometers south of Damas, in Manuel Antonio National Park, one can see the most egregious display of what happens when people feed the Capuchin Monkeys. Here it is well known that the monkeys are so accustomed to being fed by the park visitors, that they now aggressively steal food, as well as backpacks, purses, or any belonging that may contain something edible. While the park states that people should not feed the animals, and have even put up signs that state this explicitly, the monkeys lie in wait near the kiosks that sell food next to the beach.

In fact, many guests find it charming and amusing to see these little thieves in action. There is no visible enforcement here of any significance, which in part is due to a lack of government resources that prevents SINAC from carrying out its responsibilities in preventing human-wildlife interactions. According to Mr. Lara, a measure enacted on February 21, 2021 prohibits visitors from bringing food into Manuel Antonio National Park, and although park officials check the bags of all guests upon entering the park, there are those that smuggle in food without detection.

In addition, the park only has about 3 to 5 rangers to administer the rules, due to a policy within MINAE (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía – the ministry which oversees SINAC) that allocates all resources equally among the national parks in the Central Pacific Conservation Area. This means that a scarcely-visited national park, such as La Cangreja, has the same number of staff as Manuel Antonio, one of the most visited parks in the country.

There are some ways to address this problem. A better informed consumer will make more responsible decisions. Therefore, one idea is to start with better signage that doesn’t just say “Don’t Feed the Wildlife,” but explains why we shouldn’t feed them. Most tourists, both domestic and international, don’t want to see Costa Rica’s famous wild animals harmed, especially through actions of their own making. Therefore, clear and carefully-worded signs, placed strategically in plain view in the areas where feedings are most common, could help raise awareness of the threats associated with feeding animals.

While SINAC takes the feeding of wild animals seriously, it is clear that a lack of funding and inability to enforce environmental laws on the books has handcuffed the agency, preventing it from taking significant action to curb these malpractices. Through community advocacy, governments can be influenced to allocate funds and personnel in areas where feeding is more pervasive, such as in Manuel Antonio or Tárcoles. Through the implementation of an additional tax on park entrances and services, income could be generated for additional staff for SINAC to help conduct more thorough investigations of tour operators who are allegedly feeding wildlife.

Any additional income could be used to hire more park rangers that could make sure that visitors are not feeding animals in the parks. They should serve not to intimidate tourists, but rather to inform them of the proper way to interact with the wildlife. Instead of simply being told to stop, a person is most likely to change their behavior if they know the reasons why their actions are harmful. It is important to do this in a manner that does not scold, but rather educates.

Wagging a finger at someone usually results in the person digging in their heels and doubling down on their behaviors. While education is important, not to be overlooked is the way in which we educate others, if the ultimate goal is to affect change for the wellbeing of Costa Rica’s most charismatic denizens.

About the Author

Ryan Meczkowski is a Naturalist Guide and Founder of CR Naturalist Experiences, which offers night tours and educational nature excursions in Uvita de Osa. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp +506 6132 9436

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Would you travel on a nuclear-powered cruise ship.

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Is the future of cruise ships, nuclear energy?

Cruises are increasingly popular but not the most environmentally-friendly option for travelers keen to keep carbon emissions low. It's also true that cruise companies need to meet goals of being carbon-neutral by 2050—one possible solution then, would be to start building nuclear-powered cruise ships.

Using nuclear power for shipping is not new. There are currently 200 nuclear reactors on ships globally, mostly submarines and naval ships. In the 1950s, the U.S. government built a passenger boat run on nuclear power—it could hold 60 travelers and lots of cargo—but it was rife with issues, not entirely related to its energy source. Now, the NS Savannah sits inside a dock in Baltimore, designed more as a proof-of-concept than anything else, reports NPR .

The forward part of the ship held a pressurized water reactor that used low-enriched uranium to produce heat—the steam that was produced ran the ship's turbines, spun the propellors and so produced electricity to power the ship up to 20 knots, equivalent to the speed of many cruise ships today. The Russian government also commissioned Sevmorput, a nuclear-powered cargo ship in 1988, that's still in operation. Two other boats—the Japanese Mutsu and the German Otto Hahn—started out life as nuclear but were fitted to take diesel later on.

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Moscow Metro 2019

Will it be easy to find my way in the Moscow Metro? It is a question many visitors ask themselves before hitting the streets of the Russian capital. As metro is the main means of transport in Moscow – fast, reliable and safe – having some skills in using it will help make your visit more successful and smooth. On top of this, it is the most beautiful metro in the world !

. There are over 220 stations and 15 lines in the Moscow Metro. It is open from 6 am to 1 am. Trains come very frequently: during the rush hour you won't wait for more than 90 seconds! Distances between stations are quite long – 1,5 to 2 or even 3 kilometers. Metro runs inside the city borders only. To get to the airport you will need to take an onground train - Aeroexpress.

RATES AND TICKETS

Paper ticket A fee is fixed and does not depend on how far you go. There are tickets for a number of trips: 1, 2 or 60 trips; or for a number of days: 1, 3 days or a month. Your trips are recorded on a paper ticket. Ifyou buy a ticket for several trips you can share it with your traveling partner passing it from one to the other at the turnstile.

On every station there is cashier and machines (you can switch it to English). Cards and cash are accepted. 1 trip - 55 RUB 2 trips - 110 RUB

Tickets for 60 trips and day passes are available only at the cashier's.

60 rides - 1900 RUB

1 day - 230 RUB 3 days - 438 RUB 30 days - 2170 RUB.

The cheapest way to travel is buying Troyka card . It is a plastic card you can top up for any amount at the machine or at the ticket office. With it every trip costs 38 RUB in the metro and 21 RUB in a bus. You can get the card in any ticket office. Be prepared to leave a deposit of 50 RUB. You can get it back returning the card to the cashier.

SamsungPay, ApplePay and PayPass cards.

One turnstile at every station accept PayPass and payments with phones. It has a sticker with the logos and located next to the security's cabin.

GETTING ORIENTED

At the platfrom you will see one of these signs.

It indicates the line you are at now (line 6), shows the direction train run and the final stations. Numbers below there are of those lines you can change from this line.

In trains, stations are announced in Russian and English. In newer trains there are also visual indication of there you are on the line.

To change lines look for these signs. This one shows the way to line 2.

There are also signs on the platfrom. They will help you to havigate yourself. (To the lines 3 and 5 in this case).