do good when you travel

We are passionate about sustainable travel—not just environmental sustainability, but also socially and economically sustainable travel. We’re incredibly grateful that so many of our travel partners share those values, and chief among those partners is G Adventures, and its affiliated foundation, Planeterra Foundation.

Certainly, G Adventures has an eye on the environment—without a single-use item of plastic to be found—but they’re also concerned about the social impact of their tours, as well as thinking about how the money that travelers spend on their trips can stay in the communities they visit. And that’s not just in developing countries, either. G Adventures and Planeterra does this across the globe!

Take Japan, for example. For many people, Japan seems like an expensive destination focused on a crazy urban experience in Tokyo. Well, we’ve been to Japan, and I think it’s safe to say that you can connect with Japanese culture comfortably, and authentically in Tokyo, and G Adventures really prioritizes that kind of travel, by helping you to experience a different side of Japan, all the while, by helping the people who live you in rural communities.

That video really says it all about why we’re passionate about supporting the work that G Adventures and Planeterra do together. On the trips we’ve taken with G Adventures, we’ve visited community restaurants, and weaving collectives. We’ve learned about literacy projects, and seen how these projects provide employment opportunities for women and other marginalized people. These projects provide extra income to families in communities that aren’t necessarily on the well-traveled paths of tourists.

Women who might not have many employment opportunities are able to find work in these projects. Young people are able to get off the street to train for good jobs in the travel and tourism industry. Communities are able to use those funds to buy computers to help their kids get a better education. And travelers benefit, too, by having a more genuine connection to the places their visiting, and knowing that the tours they’re on aren’t exploitative, but are actually helping to do some good by visiting.

So, when you think about sustainable travel, don’t just focus on eliminating plastic straws and water bottles (though that’s important, too!). Think about whether the money you spend on your trip goes back into the local community you’re visiting. Pay attention to whether the tour operator has a sound animal welfare policy in place. Make sure that you’ve got the full information about how to preserve the culture and traditions of the places and people you encounter. There are lots of companies that share our commitment to those ideals, and we’d be happy to help you book a trip with them.

Travel changes you so that you can change the world. So, let’s take a trip together and do some good!