Travellers spend $100 million on green holidays
Responsibletravel.com today celebrates its 10th birthday with the announcement that its travellers have spent a staggering $100 million on responsible holidays via its website since the company launched in 2001.
The company - founded by Justin Francis and Professor Harold Goodwin with backing from the late Dame Anita Roddick of The Body Shop – markets almost 4,000 holidays and places to stay, from over 1,000 different tourism suppliers around the world, all of which aim to maximise the benefits to local communities and environments.
Collection to more than double in a year
With just 21 members of staff based in Brighton, Sussex; co-founder and managing director Justin Francis is determined to grow the responsible tourism movement even further by supporting a greater number of small scale tourism providers, alongside the tour operators currently promoted on the site. He today announces a new business model to launch this summer which will help realise this vision:
“From summer 2011 small tourism service providers around the world - accommodations, day trip operators, guides, restaurants serving local or organic produce, craft markets, museums, parks and many more - will be able to build and manage their own webpages on responsibletravel.com for free.
“Initial interest has already surpassed our expectations and I am confident that in just a year we’ll see our holiday collection more than double - growing from almost 4,000 experiences to over 10,000.
“I am excited to say that the responsible tourism movement is gathering pace and travellers can look forward to an unparalleled choice of exceptional local, holiday experiences from responsibletravel.com.”
Justin also founded The Responsible Tourism Awards which have received over 10,000 nominations since launching in 2004 and are about to begin receiving entries for their eighth year in two weeks time.
Responsibletravel.com’s 10 best responsible holidays to celebrate 10 years:
1. Egypt family holiday, feluccas & pharaohs – from £1149 for 10 days, including flights from the UK
Despite the recent troubles, this imaginative trip still tops responsibletravel.com’s best seller list and is a proven family favourite with over 40 happy travellers having left rave reviews over the years. The overnight sleeper train to Aswan, a night aboard felucca on the Nile, colourful bazaars, the tombs of the Pharaohs, snorkelling in the Red Sea and camel rides are just some of the highlights of this magical trip.
2. Kilimanjaro climb, Rongai route – from £1299 for 13 days, including flights from the UK
Run by a Responsible Tourism Award-winning organisation this is a trip of a lifetime which combines one of the most breath-taking trekking experiences in the world with the local understanding needed to make your trip unforgettable. The easiest of the routes, the Rongai Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and retains a sense of untouched wilderness lost on some of the other, more crowded trails.
3. Devon self catering farm accommodation – from £190 per cottage, per week
Set in the green heart of Devon these farm cottages and cabins are one of the best places in England for a true ‘back to nature’ experience. It is home to a nationally-recognised nature reserve where you’ll find scarce animals and plants including barn owls, dormice and deers, as well as swallows, otters and badgers. Green award winning owners Maggie and Ian are very welcoming to families and kids can collect eggs from hens, go pond dipping or visit the cows.
4. The Count’s guesthouse – Transylvania – from £32 per person, per night (B&B)
Dating back to the 1800s these charmingly restored guesthouses are located in a remote village in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains and have consistently received rave reviews from our travellers. With the opportunity to hear his family’s story firsthand from the Count, it’s easy to see why! And with plenty of outdoor activities on offer, all the ingredients are in place here for a wonderful holiday.
5. Sri Lanka holidays, tailor made – from £1695 for 15 days, including flights from the UK
The operators of this popular tailormade holiday have developed a unique holiday planner so travellers can create their very own individual itineraries. With exceptional local knowledge on offer, you are guaranteed to see the best of this culturally rich and environmentally diverse country. As well as flights, the price includes half-board accommodation, dedicated chauffeur guide, and all entrance fees and activities.
6. Beach holiday in Cirali, Turkey – from £690 per chalet per week (includes breakfast)
It is little wonder that thank you letters flood in from around the globe every year addressed to this little beach holiday guesthouse in Turkey. Its cheerful owner, Akif, infuses the hotel with his laid-back charm and warm charisma. It is ideally located directly on Olympos Beach, a popular nesting site for turtles which the owners work passionately to support and protect. All produce is local and fresh and evening meals are candle lit, served on the beach patio.
7. Vietnam holidays, tailor made – from $US1,049 for 14 days
Travel from North to South seeing the varied faces of Vietnam – the history, the culture, the natural beauty, the rural tradition, and much more. What stands out on this trip is the unparalleled local knowledge and insight on offer.
8. Off-grid Dordogne self catering cabin – from £376 per week
Set on the banks of its own little lake in peaceful woodland, this little off-grid woodsman’s cabin provides the perfect combination of a back to nature experience, whilst using alternative energies to provide some basic mod cons. The whole ethos is to provide a welcome retreat from modern day stresses with minimal impact on the environment.
9. Trans Siberian railway tour – from £1745 for 18 days
Run by a Responsible Tourism Award-winning organisation this is train travel at its best. Discover colourful cultures and vibrant landscapes as you travel by train from St Petersburg to Beijing. You will be touched by the warm hospitality of the locals you meet along the way, particularly the evenings spent staying with local families.
10. Malaysia beach resort, Tioman Island – from £60 per person per night all inclusive
A stunning but relaxed beach resort nestled between the mountainous jungle and the turquoise waters of Tioman Island. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities including trekking, snorkelling, kayaking and diving. There are just six spacious chalets, each with floor to ceiling windows for spectacular sea views and a private veranda. All meals, tea/coffee, soft drinks with meals, transfers and one local excursion are included. The restaurant serves delicious home-cooked Asian and Western food.
For more information and bookings, visit: responsibletravel.com