Becoming a sustainable travel expert: Part 2

If you’ve been with me a while, you might remember that at the start of 2022 I set myself a new business goal – my biggest one yet. I wanted to focus on sustainability, finding ways to run a greener business while helping my clients to make more responsible travel decisions. That goal was supposed to be for that year, but it turned into something much bigger, and more important to me and my business, the further I went along. So now, 2 years later in 2024, I wanted to give you a quick update on my journey to becoming a sustainable travel expert, and share some of the things I’ve learned along the way.

The 2023 Roundup...

Following on from a successful and enlightening 2022, I spent the first few months of 2023 learning and growing. And studying! Then in June I took my next big step – I became one of just 20 certified Sustainable Travel Ambassadors in the UK. I’d spent 3 months working with TTG Media, taking workshops to better understand climate change and the impact travel has. That included things like how to understand carbon, how to help my clients have a positive impact, how to advise my clients on travelling more responsibly, and animal welfare.

I’m pretty proud of this achievement, and it definitely gave me the confidence to spread the word about sustainable travel.

I also took part in an experiential tour of outback Crete, hosted by the Greek Tourist Board and Intrepid Travel, which gave me a first-hand understanding of what a truly sustainable travel experience could look like off the beaten track. After that, I visited Majorca with Iberostar to take a look at their Wave of Change commitments in action, and to experience exactly how an industry-leading sustainable hotel operates.

In August, I wrote and published my responsible travel pledge, which was followed quickly in September by my animal welfare policy. Both of these documents are designed to not only showcase that I have thought about the commitments I want to set out for myself and my business, but also that I am taking every step possible to minimise my customers impact on the environment, and wildlife worldwide.

I took the Kiwano Sustainable Travel Masterclass in December, designed for travel industry professionals to learn more about the issues associated with travel and how I can educate my clients to make more positive choices while inspiring the wider travel industry to do the same.

To round off the year, I was invited to the Travel Weekly Sustainability Summit at Google HQ in London. It was amazing to hear industry leaders discussing the future of travel, The Climate Crisis and sustainability, especially going beyond the environmental factors. It’s easy to forget that tourism also impacts the local economy and communities in the destinations we visit, so it was great to hear what is being done to draw attention to this and inspire travel that is better for the local people.

Opening New Doors In 2024...

With the new year dawning, I wanted to up my game from the previous 2 years. So in January 2024 I launched a new partnership with TreeSisters – an amazing charity who are working to ethically restore the rainforest and the planet through ethical, community-led projects that improve socioeconomic outcomes with women and community at their core. I committed to donating a percentage of my profits from all holiday sales to the amazing work that TreeSisters does, helping support them to fund new projects.

A few months on in March this year, I completed the Zopeful Intro to Climate course – something I had wanted to do for a while and then I studied and took the exam to become a certified GSTC sustainable travel agent – which I passed in April! So now I can provide my clients with even more in-depth advice on how to travel in a way that benefits the destinations we visit, minimising environmental impact, supporting local communities and ensuring cultural preservation.

On A Personal Note...

In and around all of that, I’ve been doing a bit of travelling myself. I’ve taken several holidays, including a small group adventure tour to Uzbekistan, and a first-class rail adventure around Switzerland. All along the way, I’ve been sharing and showcasing my own responsible travel choices, so that people can see I live my ethos, and that it isn’t difficult to travel sustainably.

During the last 2 years I’ve formed a growing community of UK-based travel agents, all representing different travel companies, but brought together by a passion for sustainability. It’s given me a real sense of purpose to be part of such an inspiring group of people who are all striving to make travel a force for good. We all keep each other accountable, energised, and share ideas on a daily basis. I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved so far, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store next.

Thanks for sticking with me this far. I hope you’re just as chuffed as I am with the amount that’s been achieved, and maybe I’ve even piqued your interest in more sustainable travel options. If you’re looking to travel more responsibly in 2025 and beyond, I’d love to help you plan an eco-conscious adventure that reduces your carbon footprint and supports the local community.

I can’t wait to hear from you.