Sustainability and travel
Travel brings people closer to the places they visit and supports local livelihoods. It also has an environmental footprint, most of it from getting there and getting around. Here you'll find how we review the sustainability claims operators make on TourRadar, what to look for when choosing a tour, and practical ways to reduce the impact of your trip.
How we review sustainability claims on TourRadar
Many tour operators describe their environmental practices on their tour pages. We review these claims. If a claim isn't supported by evidence or by a recognised certification, we ask the operator to change it or we remove it. New operators go through the same review when they join TourRadar.
If you see a claim on TourRadar that you think is inaccurate,
let us know
What to look for when choosing a tour
Independent certification
Look for certifications accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). They're awarded after an audit by a third party, so they tell you more than a company's own description.
Local guides and businesses
Itineraries that use local guides, locally owned accommodation and local restaurants keep more of what you spend in the destination.
Animal welfare
Check whether the operator publishes an animal welfare policy, and whether the trip avoids activities like elephant rides or animal shows.
How you get around
Transport is usually the largest part of a trip's footprint. Itineraries that use trains or buses between stops, rather than internal flights, produce fewer emissions.
Ways to reduce your impact
How you get there and how you get around make the biggest difference. Where you can, take the train for shorter distances, and choose one longer trip over several short ones. Smaller habits add up too: carry a refillable water bottle, skip single-use plastics, and spend your money with locally owned businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. We review the sustainability claims on operators' tour pages. If a claim isn't supported by evidence or a recognised certification, we ask the operator to change it or we remove it.
Ask the operator which certification they hold, then confirm it on the certifier's website. The
lists the certification bodies it accredits.
Focus on transport. Taking trains instead of short flights, and taking fewer but longer trips, usually makes more difference than anything else.