STORIES
Accounting for 1 in 10 jobs around the world, the travel industry has a huge global footprint. From supporting grass-roots charity projects and anti-poaching initiatives, to being vocal about their sustainability philosophy and passion for their local community, we are consistently inspired by businesses around the world that share in our belief that travel should be a force for good. Here we shine a light on some of these sustainability pioneers…
INTRODUCING OUR philanthropy committee for 2024
We are excited to introduce The Conscious Travel Foundation’s Philanthropy Committee for our 2024 grant cycle. Comprising members, mentors, and friends of the Foundation, this change-making group brings invaluable hands-on experience, as well as deep expertise in grant-making and fundraising.
TRANS STORIES BRASÍLIA: CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATTITUDINAL CHANGE THROUGH COMMUNITY-LED STORYTELLING
A beneficiary of our 2023/24 Community Impact Fund grant, TransStories Brasília is creating alternative opportunities for Trans women and giving them a platform to share their stories and experiences with the world.
PHAPLU MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB: THE HIMALAYAN COMMUNITY TAKING THE MOUNTAIN BIKING WORLD BY STORM
Introducing Phaplu Mountain Bike Club — one of the recipients of our 2023/24 Community Impact Fund. Here we speak to Ang Tshering, project founder and project director, Mingma Sherpa, to talk about the club and their plans for the future.
TOP TIPS TO REDUCE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF YOUR TRAVEL BUSINESS
Top tips from The Conscious Travel Foundation and ecollective on how to reduce the carbon footprint of your travel business…
INDIGENOUS TOURISM
Notes from our co-hosted discussion with The Long Run on indigenous tourism, with special guests Tara Kennaway from Intrepid, Nadine Toe Toe, Uncle Mark Koolmatrie and Elisa Spampinato, moderated by TCTF mentor, Nina Karnikowski.
MEET THE MENTOR: SOPHIE MORGAN
Broadcaster, author, campaigner and award-winning advocate for disability rights, Sophie Morgan joins The Conscious Travel Foundation’s mentorship team to help support our members and the wider industry in becoming effective ambassadors and curators of inclusive travel.
OUR 2021 CARBON REPORT
We’re thrilled to announce that we have published our 2021 Carbon Report! We worked with carbon consultancy ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of our entire business in 2021, and have collated it into an easy-to-read report that we hope helps you understand our emissions and plans for the future.
INTRODUCING OUR AMBASSADORS
From wildlife conservationists and LGBTQ+ activists, to sustainability champions and advocates for accessible travel, we are thrilled to introduce our new Ambassadors.
SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATIONS
The road to certification is a rigorous one that can help us redefine the way we do business, for the better of both people and planet. We spoke with The Long Run, B Corp, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council to demystify the world of sustainability certifications.
HOW TO BE AN ACCESS CHAMPION
From creating an accessibility guide or employing a disability consultant, to appointing an ‘access champion’ – there are a multitude of ways travel businesses can improve their facilities and make positive changes to become more welcoming, suitable and flexible for every visitor through their doors.
CONSCIOUS CONVERSATIONS: INCLUSIVE TRAVEL
“Inclusion is experiential and emotional. It’s not the dimensions of a bathroom floor.” We talk measurable solutions, inclusive attitudes and how to better the travel industry with accessible travel expert, Richard Thompson.
MEET THE OCEAN SHEROES
Meet the four inspiring women taking on The Great Pacific Race, rowing 2,700 miles from San Francisco to the Hawaiian Islands to raise money for the Seabin Project - helping protect the world’s oceans.
SUSTAINABLE SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australia’s sustainable travel initiative is harnessing the power of collective action on a grand scale, with a focus on sustainability and a positive future.
MEET THE MENTOR: ANG TSHERING
At the helm of Nepali DMC Beyul Experiences and the remote Himalayan hideaway, The Happy House, Ang Tshering believes that every travel experience should benefit both the visitor, and the visited.
MEET THE MENTOR: CHARLIE CARLOW
Owner of Wild Bush Luxury and passionate conservationist, Charlie Carlow operates safari lodges in some of Australia’s most spectacularly diverse wilderness destinations, from the ancient landscapes of the Flinders Ranges to the wetlands of the Mary River Delta.
TALES FROM TUJATANE
Meaning ‘let’s all hold hands together’ in the local language of Chitonga, Tujatane was founded by 1996 by Vanessa and Ben Parker, supported entirely by the nearby Tongabezi Lodge and donations from visitors and supporters around the globe.
A VERY CONSCIOUS CHRISTMAS
The Conscious Travel Foundation’s alternative gift guide for a more eco-friendly, sustainable Christmas.
IN CONVERSATION WITH: SONU SHIVDASANI
Founder and owner of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani has championed the concept of environmentally responsible luxury since he began building his first hotel on the deserted Maldivian island of Kunfunadhoo in 1995. In addition their three pioneering, eco-luxury resorts, Sonu and his wife, Eva, established the not-for-profit Soneva Foundation, supporting high-impact initiatives across Asia with a focus on environmental, social and economic sustainability.
MEET THE MENTOR: SUZANNE BAYLY-COUPE
Fuelled by a desire to explore Africa’s wildest places in support of conservation and communities, Suzanne Bayly-Coupe established renowned representation company, Classic Portfolio, over 22 years ago, and has since has dedicated her time, passion and energy to purpose driven tourism in Africa.
MULBERRY MONGOOSE: BEAUTY FROM BRUTALITY
Tucked away on an elephant path in Zambia’s South Luangwa are some truly remarkable women (and one gentleman), waging a war on snare poaching and transforming this brutal material into unique, handcrafted jewellery – embodying the spirit of the African bush.