Saturday 28 January 2023 • Promotional Content


Worldwide travel Te Travel Guide 47


Can luxury travel be responsible for good rather than harm?


Many of us want to get back on the road, see more of the world and make a difference — but if we’re honest, we want to be comfortable too


Wayfairer


creates luxury bespoke trips to


A guided river trip on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe PHOTOGRAPH: © GREAT PLAINS T


ravel for many people is about fulfilment — a life-changing experience of new places and


spaces that stays with us. Yet at the same time, we’re increasingly aware of the impact of travel on the envi- ronment, communities and wildlife we interact with. Te ‘voluntourism’ sector has exploded accordingly, but what if backpacking’s not your thing anymore — or never was? Tom Blakey, founder of responsible


travel company Wayfairer, thinks you can have both. “Responsible travel really isn’t all about hostels and hammocks,” he says. “When you book a higher-end trip, your comfort doesn’t have to also mean excessive consump- tion or hiding in a gated enclave far removed from real communities.” “Luxury for me isn’t about being


waited on hand and foot,” he adds. “It’s more about having the details taken care of by someone who gets my passion for travel, which means I can go to more interesting locations, have real interactions and experience amazing places authentically”. If you have the budget, he says,


it’s really worth spending more on features like:


An orphaned elephant calf at


Reteti Sanctuary in Northern Kenya PHOTOGRAPH: © SARARA CAMP


• Remote and beautiful locations for ultimate privacy • High-quality


managed by local people


• Tours run by specialist wildlife or community experts who’ll give you unique cultural insights and unpar- alleled access into local conserva- tion and rehabilitation programmes.


Increasingly, it seems luxury travel- lers are looking for the same thing, with research last year identifying a ‘growing demographic of socially conscious high-net-worth consumers rejecting overt displays of wealth in favour of inconspicuous and respon- sible consumption’ (Global Data 2022).


“It’s about travelling without causing any social, economic or environmental harm. But how will you know if your holiday is responsible?”


accommodation


What is responsible tourism? Back in 2002, responsible tourism was defined by the World Summit on Sustainable Development as ‘making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit’. In other words, it’s about travelling without causing the destination any social, economic or environmental harm. But how will you know if your holiday is responsible? “Always ask your tour operator to


give you details,” says Tom. “People often don’t know where to start, so booking with a company like Wayfairer, which is serious about responsible travel, is a great way to take advantage of their experience.” Ask your tour company or agent: • What organisations do they partner with? Wayfairer primarily works with smaller, locally owned lodges and hotels, where park fees contribute directly to local community develop- ment and conservation efforts. the


• Are lodges they’re recom-


mending eco-rated? Some lodges have an eco-rating, so ask your travel specialist about this.


A pool with a view at Ol Malo Lodge in Laikipia Kenya PHOTOGRAPH: ©OL MALO LODGE


• What advice would they give you on how to travel more responsibly? Check for information on destina- tion-specific issues such as how to not waste water and to be respectful of local cultures.


exotic places with a focus on responsible


travel. Prices start at £3,000 pp, excluding international flights


Lions at the Xigera Safari Lodge in the Okavango Delta, Botswana PHOTOGRAPH: © JOSH FLATMAN, WAYFAIRER TRAVEL


Other ways to give a bit back when you travel: • Shop locally to help support artisans keeping traditional crafts alive. Pay a fair price and don’t barter too hard.


• If you want to take a picture of someone, be respectful, ask permis- sion


and show the image afterwards.


• Consider leaving a space in your luggage for a donation of supplies to a local community project: packforapurpose.org


For sample itineraries and expert traveller insight, visit wayfairertravel.com or call 0117 313 3300 to book direct.


person the


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