For some people, it isn’t satisfying enough to just see the world. They also want to make a difference while doing it. Fortunately, there are many like-minded organizations that combine a green outlook with the joy of travel and exploration.
Crooked Trails is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating people about the many ways that travel affects the various cultures and ecosystems around the world. They achieve their goals through educational travel programs, outreach services, and community development.
Operation Groundswell was founded by a group of backpackers who sought to understand why global poverty was still so rampant, despite the appearance of massive development projects around the world. Their main objective is to spawn a new era of travelers who are socially, environmentally, and politically aware of their effect on the world.
GOOD Travel is an organization made up of travelers and tourism experts from around the world looking to be a part of the $7.2 trillion travel industry. Their mission is to help tourism become a wholly positive impact on the environment, as well as a positive contributor to the well-being of local communities. They only associate with tourism businesses who share their values, and their ambitious goal is to actually create a better world.
Off Season Adventures creates tailor-made excursions that are centered around sustainable, net-positive tourism. They do this by scheduling tours off-season, replacing any used resources during a tour, paperless communication, carbon offsetting all emissions, and preserving a percentage of their clients’ total cost to invest back into the communities and wildlife sectors.
Good Trip believes in making the world a better place through responsible travel. Specializing in a select few countries in the Global South, there are travel ambassadors assigned to each party, giving a customized, authentic, person-to-person experience. Their unique vacations offer a chance for people to connect with a community through language immersion and socio-economic education. Costs are kept reasonable by working with local vendors and agencies.
Have Fun Do Good is all about giving back through volunteerism and having fun at the same time. The founders are self-admitted dreamers who got inspiration from their own life experiences. They literally just want to make the world a better place, with a few laughs on the side.
Lokal Travel is a booking agency that specializes in sustainable, eco-friendly travel. Every experience booked through them is guaranteed to benefit the destination community. Through their global network, they connect travelers with family-run businesses and village cooperatives, among other local connections.