Sustainability

Trafalgar and The TreadRight Foundation

Recently updated on January 20th, 2020 at 07:39 pm

Out of a passionate belief in the importance of sustainable travel, we at Trafalgar endeavour to have a positive impact on the world around us, giving back to the destinations we lead trips to, safeguarding not only the environmental splendour, but also the traditional cultures within communities and their social welfare. #TrafalgarCares, our sustainable program, supports and gives back to the communities we visit, working with local businesses and collaborating with charities, while taking guests where they can make a difference.

Treadright Foundation

As a part of the Travel Corporation’s family of brands, we are proud to be a founder and active supporter of the TreadRight Foundation. At its core, the TreadRight Foundation works to protect and conserve the environments, cultures and communities in each destination visited by their partner travel companies. Since TreadRight’s inauguration in 2008, more than 35 different projects have successfully been undertaken to protect wildlife and empower communities around the world.

From the Peruvian Andes to the Italian countryside, TreadRight’s Heritage Initiative โ€“ launched in collaboration with Trafalgar โ€“ has supported local artisans, preserving the traditional arts and diverse cultures that are so unique to these regions.

Treadright Foundation

The colonial city of Cusco, which was once capital of the Inca Empire, is where one of these heritage initiatives is based. Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco was established in 1996 and now provides over 500 Cusco residents with work, while continuing the 10,000-year tradition of Andean textiles and weaving. In Cusco, TreadRight have enabled the construction of a traditional weaver’s home at Chinchero Weaver’s Centre, where visitors can gain an insight into this tradition and buy authentic handcrafted goods.

The TreadRight Foundation also helps fund campaigns by environmental initiatives such as WildAid and the Wilderness Foundation – Africa. WildAid has had particular success in reducing the demand for shark fin in China, and increasing local awareness of the rhino-poaching crisis in Asia.

Treadright Foundation

And it’s not just the local communities and wildlife that benefit. Importance is also placed on the surrounding landscapes, including natural landmarks like Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. This surreal landscape of basalt columns was formed centuries ago by volcanic activity and, due to its distinctiveness, entices visitors from across the world. After the site’s visitor centre was destroyed in a fire, TreadRight and Trafalgar worked hand-in-hand with the National Trust to build a new improved visitor centre and increase efforts to preserve the magnificent surroundings.

These community and environmental projects can be experienced first-hand when travelling with Trafalgar, but the way in which we behave when visiting these destinations is also of equal importance. In each country that Trafalgar leads trips to, travellers are made aware of the difference they can make, ensuring respect and support is given to local communities and areas of natural beauty are left untouched.

Treadright Foundation

As we get out into the world and discover the traditional cultures and natural riches that truly define each destination, let’s do whatever we can to preserve it for many years to come.

See traditional weaving in Cusco by joining the Trafalgar trip, In the Footsteps of Incas, and visit Giant’s Causeway on the Amazing Ireland itinerary.

Image credits: cover image ยฉย iStock / oversnap. TreadRight supports artisans in Peruย ยฉย iStock / Bartosz Hadyniak.ย Traditional Peruvian weaving ยฉย iStock / Bartosz Hadyniak.ย WildAid increases awareness of Rhino poaching ยฉย iStock / Maui01. Giant’s Causeway in Ireland ยฉย iStock / Richard Watson.

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