Sustainable Travel – where to go?

You may have heard the topic of sustainability cropping up in conversations in recent years, even more so since the pandemic began, but do any of us truly understand what it means? As defined by the Collins English Dictionary, sustainability is the practice of being able to maintain economic development and energy resources at a steady level without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage. But how exactly does it relate to travel? The purpose of travelling is to connect us with global cultures and bring us up close to some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. However, it also has the potential to change places and the lives of the people who live there, for better or worse. In order for travel to be sustainable, it means finding ways in which tourism can be maintained long-term, without damaging natural and cultural environments. Sustainable travel should reduce the negative impacts of tourism and be beneficial to the areas in which it takes place.

If you are eager to embark on sustainable holidays and travel experiences but are unsure of where to go, keep reading to learn more about our favourite destinations to explore sustainably.

The diversity of Malaysia’s landscape, from its rugged mountains clad with verdant rainforests to its humid mangroves and floodplains brimming with forest life, means that it is fast becoming a go-to destination for nature enthusiasts who are sustainability-conscious and want to take part in responsible tourism. We recommend experiencing a luxury holiday to Singapore and Malaysia. Finish in Langkawi, home to our sensational and sustainable partner property, The Datai Langkawi. Located right in the heart of a 10-million-year-old rainforest, it is one of the world’s leading ecotourism resorts and the perfect destination for those wanting to help make a difference. So what makes it a world leader? At present, it is the only organisation in the world to have been awarded the EarthCheck ECO Certification for land-based tourism projects. In the case of The Datai Langkawi, the land-based tourism project that the award refers to is The Datai Pledge, which came about after the resort underwent a comprehensive refurbishment in 2017/2018.

The Datai Pledge comprises four pillars: Fish for the Future; Wildlife for the Future; Youth for the Future; and Pure for the Future, which respectively focuses on the marine life, the fauna and flora, the children of the community and the resort’s business operations and ethics. Since the pledge’s initiation in 2019, The Datai has made significant progress including processing 93% waste at the resort (to achieve zero waste to landfill); reducing their carbon emissions; installing coral frames in the Datai Bay to help boost the coral population; and sponsoring two local schools. To learn more about The Datai Pledge, read our sustainability conversation with General Manager, Arnaud Girodon. Guests of the Datai Langkawi can contribute to conserving nature’s beauty by taking part in some of the activities and workshops in one of the world’s finest sustainable hotels in the world.

The rich and exotic landscapes of India, which span from the other-worldly Himalayas to the bustling cities and tranquil backwaters, are ripe for exploration. At OROKO, we are passionate about responsible tourism and sustainable travel, so we have ensured that we partner with properties whose values align with ours, such as CGH Earth, whose luxury eco-friendly properties are located on the peaceful backwaters of Kerala.

Established in 1954, the family-owned group is trailblazing the path for ecotourism in India. CGH Earth is renowned for its respect for nature and local cultures around which its singular travel experiences revolve. There are three core values on which every CGH Earth experience is based: working with local communities, caring for the environment and being one with the local ethos. The core values are reflected in everything that guests see and experience – from the architecture and locations to its people, services and activities. A common thread that runs through each of the CGH Earth properties is their commitment to the local communities. This is most evident in the staff, who hail from local neighbourhoods.

The properties offer a range of activities including guided treks, educational walks, and birdwatching excursions, all of which are led by local naturalists. There is even the opportunity for guests to take part in paper-making lessons with the locals, using vegetable waste, old clothes, and old newspapers. During your luxury holiday, we also recommend embarking on a backwater cruise in a traditional Keralan houseboat. It is a great way to appreciate the colourful life of the ancient backwaters, from the remote villages to the bustling towns that occupy the riverbanks.

After activity-filled days, guests can unwind at the Ayurveda Spa or with a yoga class, then enjoy delicious farm-to-table meals which adhere to the ’50 mile diet’, which involves the resorts supporting local communities by sourcing ingredients from within a 50-mile radius. For more inspiration, browse our suggested family holiday to Kerala which features CGH Earth properties.

As home to some of the finest safari destinations on the continent, Sub-Saharan Africa is a must for safari enthusiasts and eco-conscious tourists alike. We have strong partnerships with leading safari organisations including Wilderness Safaris and Time + Tide, both of which are pioneering responsible tourism and wilderness preservation through their luxury, eco-friendly properties.

Founded by two young guides in Botswana in 1983, Wilderness Safaris now comprises over 40 camps in six countries. Between 1997 and 2005, they greatly expanded their conservation and community model through several activities including reversing the local extinction of black and white rhino in Botswana, conserving the desert black rhino in Namibia, establishing their non-profit organisation – Children in the Wilderness (an environmental and life skills educational programme aimed at developing the next generation of environmental leaders) and formalising their conservation philanthropy under the Wilderness Wildlife Trust. The organisation has also made huge steps forward in reducing their carbon footprint. Almost half of their properties run on 100% renewable energy, which reduces its carbon emissions by three thousand tonnes annually. To read more about their magnificent achievements in conservation, read our travel trends piece on conservation, where we speak to Dr Neil Midlane, Group Impact Manager at Wilderness Safaris.

Established in 1950 by the founding father of conservation and walking safaris, Norman Carr, Time + Tide has worked tirelessly over the last 72 years to protect the natural environments they inhabit and the neighbouring communities. This work is supported by the Time + Tide Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the brand. The foundation prioritises investing in the future productivity of wildlife economies through community and school-based learning, focusing on female empowerment, health, home-schooling, student sponsorship and wildlife conservation. Through their conservation efforts, they replenish the wild by working with local conservation management organisations with anti-poaching, environmental education, human-wildlife conflict, and wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Their luxury camps are equipped with the latest eco-friendly technology as well as being built using local techniques and sustainable materials and run on solar power so as to have minimal impact on the surrounding environments.

Our suggested holidays featuring Wilderness Safaris and Time + Tide promise unforgettable safari experiences that ensure the protection of the lands you explore. Safe in the knowledge that you are holidaying sustainably, relish in the wilds of Africa on game drives, walking safaris, gorilla treks, mokoro safaris, hot air balloon rides and cultural excursions.

Home to some of the most biodiverse regions in the world, Brazil is quickly becoming one of South America’s top destinations for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. One such region is the Cerrado savannah, which is where our partner property, Pousada Trijunção, is located. One of Brazil’s best-kept secrets, the sustainable property provides guests with a spectacular wildlife experience.

Despite being one of the world’s most overlooked wildlife destinations, the Cerrado savannah is comparable to African safari destinations and has the added bonus of being largely undiscovered. In terms of biodiversity, the Cerrado is considered the world’s richest savannah, home to 5% of all plant species in the world as well as an abundance of wildlife including maned wolf, deer, caiman, emu and anteater to name but a few. Beauty and biodiversity aside, the savannah is hugely under-appreciated and under-protected. Already, 50% of it has been lost, leading to over 150 species being at risk of extinction.

To prevent further loss, Pousada Trijunção, in conjunction with the non-profit organisation, Onçafari, have embarked on a research project that is committed to the preservation of the Cerrado and its wildlife. Alongside their preservation efforts, Pousada Trijunção has made conscious efforts to be as sustainable as possible. All of the accommodation floors are constructed from demolition wood, solar panels are used for heating and low energy LED lighting, whilst the interior decorations have been made by local artisans using sustainably collected materials. The property also benefits the local community as the majority of staff hail from the region.

With such biodiversity on your doorstep, embark on spectacular game drives across the verdant plains, spotting jaguar, anteaters, reptiles, and maned wolves along the way. After dark, set out on a kayaking excursion along the surrounding riverways in search of dwarf caiman. To learn more, browse our luxury sustainable holiday to Brazil’s Cerrado featuring this magnificent property.

Chile is nature on a colossal scale, a geographical wonder of active volcanoes, vast ice fields and home to the driest desert on earth. It also hosts the magnificent Torres Del Paine National Park, a designated UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve since 1978. Serious outdoor enthusiasts should consider our luxury suggested holiday to the highlights of Chile’s Patagonia. Stay in sustainable partner properties such as Tierra Patagonia, the perfect base for exploring the vast Chilean wilderness.

Located on the shores of Lake Sarmiento on the eastern edge of the park, the uniquely designed Tierra Patagonia is arguably one of the most impressive eco-hotels in Chile. A spectacular architectural masterpiece, it blends in seamlessly with its surroundings. Built almost entirely from native lenga wood and with a living roof, the hotel has been awarded many prestigious accolades for its sustainable design. With floor-to-ceiling windows, each of the forty rooms has stunning views of the lake and the snow-capped Paine Massif beyond. All the furnishings and textiles at Tierra Patagonia have been made with locally-sourced materials by Chilean artisans. To further ensure they remain as sustainable as possible, the hotel locally sources all of its food and is also part of a tree-planting programme. Before construction, the vegetation that covered the land that Tierra Patagonia is built on was transferred to a greenhouse and subsequently replanted once the hotel was completed.

Hiking aficionados and nature lovers will be in their element here. The hotel offers a wide range of complimentary excursions including hikes for all abilities, birdwatching and horse riding with gauchos from nearby Estancia Cerro Guido. After activity-filled days, guests can unwind in the hotel’s spa and outdoor Jacuzzi.

One of the most biodiverse and exciting countries in the world, Costa Rica is the birthplace of ecotourism and responsible travel, and as such is topping the bucket list for many an eco-conscious traveller. Those wanting to embark on a luxury holiday to Costa Rica, whilst also taking part in responsible tourism, should look no further than OROKO’s partner property, Pacuare Lodge, which is trailblazing the path for sustainable eco-lodges in Latin America. This outstanding property features in our luxury adventure holiday to Costa Rica’s rainforests.

Located on a private reserve in the heart of the rainforest-clad Talamanca Mountains and recognised by National Geographic as one of the Unique Lodges of the World, sustainability and conservation are at the heart of everything the lodge does. Pacuare was built with minimal impact on the surrounding rainforest. Rather than cut down trees to accommodate the buildings, the lumber that was used came from a reforestation project run by small farmers and the thatched roofs were made by local Cabécar Indians using palm leaves collected in the lodge’s forest reserve. To offset the carbon emissions produced by the lodge’s vehicles, they purchased 840 acres of primary rainforest along the Pacuare River and as a result, their tours are now carbon neutral. The small amount of electricity that is used at Pacuare is generated by a turbine in a nearby stream.

As infrastructure in the lodge’s remote area is sparse and poorly maintained, Pacuare does everything it can to support the local community. All of the staff hail from the nearby villages and 95% of the rafting guides are from Turrialba, the closest city to the lodge. The lodge also donates school supplies and other materials to three local primary schools and any donations received from guests are given to the schools in their entirety.

Exclusive and immersive experiences are in abundance here. Due to its remote location, getting to the lodge is an adventure in itself – guests arrive via white-water rafting. Activities that guests can take part in include canopy tours, canyoning, birdwatching, hikes to hidden waterfalls, and meeting the indigenous Cabécar people. Back at the lodge, enjoy farm-to-table dining, swimming in the saltwater infinity pool and indulging in spa treatments.

Despite its compact size, Ecuador has more biodiversity per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world. From dense tropical rainforest to colossal, snow-capped mountain ranges, it is more than just the gateway to the Galápagos Islands. At OROKO, we strive to partner with luxury properties that put sustainability at the forefront of everything they do, and Mashpi Lodge is an excellent example of this.

Situated atop a scenic plateau deep in the Amazon Rainforest, Mashpi Lodge is one of the finest eco-lodges in Ecuador. Built using the latest techniques in sustainable construction so as to have as little impact on the surrounding rainforest as possible, it was designed to blend in seamlessly with its natural environment. Total immersion has been enabled through the use of floor-to-ceiling windows which offer breathtaking views of the forested mountains and their unique ecosystems that envelop the property.

Mashpi works closely with the local community and has implemented a programme in which the lodge employees as well those living in the surrounding areas become shareholders in the enterprise. The lodge also provides numerous job opportunities including professional training and English lessons for members of the neighbouring communities. The local communities are also the main providers of the agricultural and other food products and supplies used at the lodge.

As part of our suggested luxury holiday to the heart of Ecuador, guests can visit the on-site labs to learn about the ongoing scientific projects being carried out by staff and guest researchers. Other activities include a ride on The Dragonfly open-air cable car or Sky Bike, hikes through the rainforest and swimming at nearby waterfalls. An observation deck is a great place for birdwatchers and budding photographers to spot parrots, toucans, and tanagers.

OROKO is committed to making sustainable travel possible. Wherever you choose to go in the world, we make it our mission to be able to provide you with sustainable holiday options. Call 01 260 0240 or email info@orokotravel.ie to learn more.