Our Travel Tips

A Responsible Travel Guide

Do you want to participate in tourism which benefits people and the environment in different destinations? That's called Ethical Tourism. It can offer a better income to families living in the area, by sourcing products and services locally.

A brand-new role for consumers in the tourism market has emerged from three trends: first, there is a thirst for different and more ‘exciting’ holidays; second, there is a growing realisation of the negative impacts of tourism – its clod-hopping footprints in other people’s homes in the deserts, forests, seashores and mountains of the world; and, third, of course is climate change.

Travel Matters supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals and works alongside several charities and tour operators to help as much as possible the completion of the Global Goals. This, and more, has helped us shape our Travel Matters Make Travel Matter Campaign.

We truly believe that tourism has the potential to become sustainable and could have the following characteristics:

Economic Prosperity

Long term competitive and tourism businesses, who offer fair pay and conditions for all employees. There are maximum economic benefits to local communities, when products and services for tourism are sourced locally. Sustainable tourism should be relevant to every holiday sold and should offer an opportunity to customers concerned about their travel making a difference.

Social Equality

Sustainability offers great benefits to customers keeping destinations special, offering safe and satisfying new experiences whilst having the opportunity to interact with happy locals, who are truly benefiting from their visit. More and more people are increasingly concerned about sustainable travel and want to make a positive difference.

Environmental & Cultural Protection

It’s absolutely vital for destinations to conserve ancient culture and traditions, as well as wildlife and the natural habitats. We encourage accommodation providers and holiday makers to conserve energy and by that we help reducing carbon emissions. Most importantly it helps ensure there will be great destinations for us all to visit for generations to come. Keeping destinations special is important to everyone and every small step towards making that possible matters a great amount.

Terms related to Sustainable Tourism

Fly Smart with Travel Matters

We are all concerned about what modes of transportation we should be taking and one of the biggest issues we are facing as a community is flying! We know that catching a flight can be one of the most carbon-intensive associates of travelling, as the industry produces approximately 2% of global carbon emissions.

So why not consider Flying Smart? You can take responsibility for your carbon emissions and encourage the airlines and airports to exercise their responsibility. Charities such as Trees for Cities are planting trees and restoring forests in the U.K. and all over the world. If you want to go the extra mile is offsetting your carbon footprint, you can reach out to them and let them know you’d like to make a donation. Alternatively, we can also facilitate this conversation.

Given the nature of our industry, we have a responsibility to actively play our part in protecting the environment. We are beyond excited to announce our recent partnership with Trees for Cities. We have pledged that for every trip that you book with us, we will plant a tree.

The next step of your holiday planning is to decide how you will be seeing as much of your destination as possible and we realise that exploration usually requires transportation. If Car Pooling, Public Transportation and Walking are not viable options then perhaps consider an Eco-Friendly vehicle for your sustainable journey. Travel Matters works with ROLZO, a leading company in travel & electric vehicles (EV’s). ROLZO have a fleet of all-electric vehicles that will suit your mobility requirements, which will further help reduce the environmental impact of your holiday.

Travel Matters understands that there isn’t always a viable alternative to flying, so we have assembled a few tips to help our customers when they need to fly to one of our beautiful destinations, so check out our Tips When Flying!

Arriving at your Destination

Remember, your holiday destination is a place where people live; people who may have different values and sensibilities to your own. Opening up your mind to new cultures and traditions should be one of the most magical aspects of a holiday, for everyone involved. Small acts of sociable behaviour can involve you learning a few words of the local language before you go – your stumbling attempts will be appreciated even if they cause hilarity.

Local people will welcome you more readily if you have thought carefully about how to behave as well as wearing appropriate clothes.

One vital aspect to remember during a trip is that not everybody likes having their picture taken. Don’t treat people as part of the landscape. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine how it might feel for them to be photographed. Ask first and respect their wishes.

For more Tips about how to be Responsible Traveller when you have arrived at your destination, please have a look at our Tips for Arriving at your Destination!

In Conclusion…

The way that we start holidaying today will impact how future generations can holiday tomorrow! As Travel Experts, we are often asked for the best ways to reduce our Carbon Footprint & how to heighten our Social Responsibility. If you’re in doubt about how to be a conscientious traveller, glance at our blog on How to be a Twenty-Twenties’ Travel Matters Traveller.

All this information, and more, can be found on our downloadable ‘Guide to Making Travel Matter’.

If you ever have any questions about how to be a more Responsible Traveller, or would simply like to pass on some of your wisdom, we would love to hear from you!