Responsible travel is in our DNA

“Travel is one of the few mass endeavours which joins together the peoples of all nations in a unique partnership and, as an industry, can play a positive and distinctive role in influencing the way people and governments act. Countless projects and partnerships across the globe, spanning the entire spectrum of the travel industry, have resulted in examples of cooperation in ways which should be an inspiration to all.

Of course, there is an environmental price to pay for travel. It is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment while not losing the ability to open minds through new experiences and interactions with cultures different to our own. We should never lose sight of the economic value of tourism and how it supports local livelihoods. Nor should we ignore the fact that countless conservation projects around the world rely on tourism to continue their work protecting endangered species and wild places.

One way to take responsibility for our travel is to make each journey count to the full – fly less frequently, stay longer and do more.”

These words ring even truer today which is why, when you book a holiday with Discover the World, you’ll get a trip which won’t cost the earth. We choose the elements of our holidays in a way that balances environmental impacts with pragmatism. For example, as well as ensuring that your accommodation is run as sustainably as possible, we will also look at how it is managed… whether we feel you will be happy there, what the health and safety is like, how their staff are treated and so on. We also consider the economic and social impact of travel, always trying to make these positive, wherever we go.

We suggest trying, whenever possible, to spend longer than a weekend when flying somewhere. Our Travel Specialists are full of inspirational ideas to help you plan ways of extending and enriching your itinerary, including alternatives to flying, such as rail or sea travel. With ever-changing views outside your window, there is something truly mesmerising about travelling through the heart of a country by train or boat – the journey becomes an intrinsic part of your holiday.

By flying less and staying for longer, you’ll experience the deep satisfaction of ‘slow travel’, gaining a deeper insight into the destinations you visit and return home feeling relaxed and enlightened.

To help further reduce your carbon emissions, we would suggest you offset the remainder with a reputable organisation such as the World Land Trust. The charity’s Carbon Balanced programme offers an effective means of being part of the solution in tackling climate change.

Find out more about our sustainability and the responsible travel initiatives we support.