THE LAUNCH
FIVE TRAVEL COMPANIES HAVE COME TOGETHER TO LAUNCH THE CONSCIOUS TRAVEL FOUNDATION, A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS PROJECTS IN DESTINATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD.
Five travel companies have come together to launch The Conscious Travel Foundation, a social enterprise supporting grassroots projects in destinations across the world. Spurred on by the significant gap in funding caused by the coronavirus travel ban, the founders hope to raise much-needed funds, in tandem with championing the positive impact of the travel industry on local communities and the wider environment.
“As soon as we began to hear about the Coronavirus-related issues that many of our colleagues and friends on the ground were facing, taking action became imperative.” says founder Georgina Coke of By Georgie. “The purpose of the foundation is to enable smaller travel companies like ours to contribute meaningfully to projects which have tangible benefits to local communities and habitats, as well as to direct holidaymakers towards ethical companies which are making a difference in the destinations they visit.”
Many grass roots charities work in tandem with responsible hotels, resorts and travel companies, using donations from guests to fund their operations – but during the coronavirus pandemic their incomes have dwindled, causing greater hardship in communities already beset by poverty and inequality. In Peru, for example, where porters on the Inca trail usually earn around $360 a month to support their families, thousands have lost work due to closed borders and are not receiving governmental support. In Sri Lanka, already devastated by the 2019 Easter bombings, tourism has almost totally ground to halt and freelance guides face months with no income. And in parts of Africa, a loss of safari traffic and jobs has meant that poaching is once again on the rise.
As well as helping in parts of the world where income has been severely affected by the crisis, the foundation will guide holidaymakers towards making more responsible travel choices in the longer term, by allowing vetted members to display The Conscious Travel Foundation badge on their website and literature. “In this way, customers can ensure that they’re choosing a more sustainable trip, as well as supporting local initiatives on the ground.” says Coke.
The foundation’s fundraising will begin in September, with an online auction consisting of unique and incredible worldwide travel experiences, donated by local partners. Auction lots include a once-in-a-lifetime safari visiting two of Colombia’s most luxurious lodges, one on the river deltas of the eastern plains and the other in cloud forest high above the Caribbean coast. Another highlight is a trek through the foothills of the Himalayas, exploring its monasteries, villages and waterfall-strewn wilderness with the help of a spiritual guide and Buddhist scholar.
Also from September, like-minded, owner-operated travel companies with no more than ten employees can join the foundation for a membership fee, once they have demonstrated their moves towards responsible tourism. In return, they’ll be able to access events and conversations about sustainability, give meaningful support to grassroots projects, and make use of a mentorship scheme involving some of the industry’s leading figures – from sustainability expert Juliet Kinsman to Charlie Carlow, a pioneer of responsible travel in the Australian bush, and Portia Hart, an ethical tourism entrepreneur based in Colombia.
“It’s been a dreadful time for many of our colleagues across the globe, but we want the foundation to offer hope going forward, as well as leading the way in encouraging and enabling more responsible travel in the future.” says Coke.
