Sustainability
Travelbound International is part of the Experience Education division within Travelopia. At Travelopia, we are driven by travel’s potential for good; our diverse portfolio of travel businesses is unified in their common purpose “to enrich lives through inspiring travel experiences”, not only for our guests but also for the people and places we visit.
We recognise the urgent nature of the climate and biodiversity crisis we face, and that certain aspects of tourism are currently contributing to both. We commit to playing our part in reducing these and seeking ways in which we can contribute to the solutions required.
Reducing carbon emissions
We are currently measuring the carbon emissions of our offices and operations and developing a decarbonisation plan in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) carbon reduction goals. Additionally, we are developing plans to support the restoration of the natural landscapes we need to tackle climate change.
Our sustainable travel operational standards ensure that the way in which our trips are operated eliminates or reduces any negative impacts on our destinations and seeks to increase positive impacts for people and places. Closer to home, our sustainable workplace policy drives us to act responsibly in our places of work.
Taking climate action by supporting healthy oceans
As part of our commitment to climate and nature action, we’ve joined our sister companies across the Travelopia Group* to partner with Blue Marine Foundation.
Our objective is to help conserve the stunning coastlines and marine life that enrich your holidays and restore ocean ecosystems that are vital in tackling climate change.
Together with our sister travel companies, we intend to donate at least £1 million over the next 3 years, with an aim to support the conservation and restoration of 7,000 hectares of vital marine ecosystems through seven global projects.
From the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Kenya to Indonesia, these protected “blue carbon ecosystems” have the potential to remove and store thousands of tonnes of carbon every year. They will also help protect a rich diversity of coastal and underwater wildlife, including endangered species.
Our support will also enable the training and employment of local communities in marine conservation, helping ensure these beautiful places are preserved for generations.
*Travelbound is a member of the Travelopia group of travel companies which has come together to partner with Blue Marine Foundation
Our destinations are amazing, and we want to keep them that way
We help thousands of students visit inspirational attractions across the world – from St Mark’s Square in Venice to the Grand Canyon.
We recognise that this entails a responsibility to respect the environment, economy and culture of our destinations so that future generations can enjoy them too. We’re also committed to educating young people and want to help them experience travel that is ethical and environmentally sustainable.
Silver Award for our French château
We’re proud that our own property, the Château du Molay in Normandy, has received a Silver Award for its efforts to promote and achieve sustainability, following a full Travelife audit. This initiative introduces hotels to sustainability principles and is part-funded by the EU.
The following achievements are among those that helped us secure the award:
- we reuse internal paper and recycle waste such as plastics and metals
- we’re planting an ‘Eco Avenue’ in the chateau’s grounds to help off-set our carbon footprint and create environmental awareness
- we recycle old computers
- we use energy-saving light bulbs where possible
- we explain the importance of sustainability to students in our welcome meetings
- each season we monitor our use of chemicals, bin liners, water, electricity and fuel to identify how we can reduce it next season
- we use eco-friendly toilet paper
- we use local suppliers where possible to keep the money in the local economy
When you book a trip with Travelbound, you know you’re going to be travelling with the most environmentally-aware company in the educational travel industry.
Want to know more about responsible travel at Travelbound?
If you have any questions or want to find out more about our commitment to responsible travel, please get in touch.