iExplore is proud to be part of TUI Travel PLC, which believes in enabling people to explore and enjoy the world whilst taking care to benefit local livelihoods and minimise environmental footprint. While we acknowledge we have a long way to go on this journey, we recognise that the success of our business goes hand in hand with the way we treat the environment and people in the destinations we travel to.
Tourism is one of the most important and largest industries on the planet. It employs more people worldwide than any other, with millions of families relying on tourism for their daily needs. While there are obvious downsides to travel, such as the air travel to get there, travelling responsibly does not mean that you have to have “less” holiday.
At iExplore we work closely with our partners to ensure that they adhere to our guiding principles:
1. To minimise our environmental impact on the destinations we visit and to help preserve those environments for future travellers.
2. To maximise the benefit to local economies and provide real and positive social exchanges for our customers.
Charity
iExplore’s travel partners work with over 147 different charities and projects worldwide, raising just short of one million Euros (936k Euros) in the last financial year. Over the next three years we will be supporting the Street Child World Cup, a child homelessness charity. Child homelessness is a global issue and it is estimated that 100 million children live and work on the streets of our world’s cities. These children are exposed to sexual and violent abuse, exploitation and trafficking, and seldom receive any protection from the police and judicial systems. The Street Child World Cup aims to give these forgotten children a voice and to campaign for their rights.
The Street Child World Cup is a major event that brings together football, work through the arts and a major international street child conference, all of which are designed to campaign for the rights of street children around the world.
The Street Child World Cup’s aims are to:
Change the public perception of street children
Ensure that these children’s rights are realised
Provide a global platform for street children’s voices to be heard.
Find out more about the Street Child World cup and watch the video here.
Socially and environmentally aware trips
One of our adventure brands, Exodus, works hard to engage with the culture, heritage and communities in the countries they visit. Through home stays and village stops, their trips often include interaction with local communities so visitors can learn about local culture in an authentic and informal way. On some of their itineraries it is possible to visit one of the many RT projects Exodus supports around the world.
Lower carbon holidays
Le Boat has introduced its new environmentally friendly boat, the 1500 Series. This new boat is a hybrid design that enables passengers to also cruise under solar-generated electric power, which produces zero carbon emissions and guarantees silent cruising. The 1500 Series also has a specially designed hull to minimise its wake, thereby protecting the delicate habitats at the water’s edge. On board, customers are encouraged to use environmentally friendly cleaning products and toiletries wherever possible. Le Boat’s customers also have the option of travelling by the hi-speed electric TGV train to many of its French bases, helping to reduce carbon footprint.
Volunteering
Volunteering in the destination you’re visiting is a great way to make a difference, understand local culture and experience positive social interaction. Many of our brands offer volunteer experiences and are passionate about providing the most sustainable options to ensure that each project is delivered from a real community need and has the skills and resource to support the project after the volunteers have finished. i to i, the leading volunteer brand, offers a variety of social, community and conservation projects as well as a selection of ‘Big Giving’ trips that include economic donation to local projects, where essential physical items, such as mattresses or text books, are provided.