In this series, we’re introducing you to the movers + shakers making travel better. Meet the Travel Foundation!
What is the Travel Foundation?
One of the greatest connectors and collaborators driving the travel industry forward, the Travel Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that tourism has a positive impact on destinations. The UK-based nonprofit launched in 2003 and has over 20 years of impact in 36 countries.
Committed to accelerating change towards a more balanced tourism model, the Travel Foundation uses their expertise, networks and independence to support organizations in their efforts to adapt and evolve, balancing community needs with the environment.
What does the Travel Foundation do?
Led by CEO Jeremy Sampson, the Travel Foundation team consists of a diverse group of experts who are passionate about sustainable travel, community development and the environment.
The organization works with a range of tourism partners that include destination governments, local tourism authorities, tour operators, travel agents, accommodation providers, excursion providers and trade associations.
With a goal of ensuring that tourism brings greater benefits for communities and protection for the environment in tourism destinations around the world, they support destinations to develop better, more sustainable tourism that ensures an equitable use of resources, gives residents a voice, and protects destination assets.
When it comes to tourism products, they influence how they are developed and sold to spread the benefits of tourism and to protect the environment. For example, the Taste of Fethiye project linked local famers to hotels in Turkey, enabling local supply and improving livelihood opportunities. At the end of the project, 16 hotels were sourcing 70-85% of their fresh fruit and vegetables from Taste of Fethiye.
By supporting destinations with climate action planning, providing executive level training to help organizations understand the relationship between climate and their tourism businesses and more, the Travel Foundation is using their expertise to ask the hard questions to accelerate change.
Collaboration over competition
In addition, the Travel Foundation is a convener. They bring different organizations together to create a shared vision of how tourism can be managed better for destinations and for the planet.
One of the industry’s leading examples is the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, a UN-led initiative they co-created and co-wrote, which aims to foster collaboration and share tools and resources to enable tourism organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience to climate risk.
They were also one of six NGOs (including Center for Responsible Travel, Destination Stewardship Centre, Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International and Tourism Cares) to launch the Future of Tourism Coalition, which provides resources to support tourism organizations on climate action, destination stewardship and measuring tourism’s impacts and successes.
Learn more
The Travel Foundation’s website is a great hub for information, regardless of your role in the travel industry. They do a great job of connecting the science, data and the ‘why’ behind sustainable, low-carbon travel with the tools and support to help the industry progress.
The organization’s most recent research report, ‘Envisioning Tourism in 2030 and Beyond‘ provides a positive vision of a growing visitor economy where greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to virtually zero and serves as a guide for organizations looking to support the transition sooner, rather than later.
What can you do?
Wondering how you can support The Travel Foundation’s work or even better, work with them?
If you are a business, grant-maker or destination, connect with their team to see how you can partner together.
Sign the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism. By signing the Glasgow Declaration (like us!), your organization is committing to the creation of a climate action plan within the next 12 months.
Sign up for their e-newsletter.
Learn more in their resource hub.
Make a donation to support their efforts.
