Recently updated on December 4th, 2023 at 03:27 pm
After launching its 5-year How We Tread Right sustainability strategy in September 2020, The Travel Corporation, including Trafalgar, has made some great progress. To keep you in the loop, we’ve released our first 2021 Impact Report, revealing all the actions TTC has made against our 11 sustainability goals in the past year. We’re proud of the progress Trafalgar has made in 2021, including reducing print brochures by 49% to meet Goal 5 and offering 13 itineraries visiting developing regions to meet Goal 8.Â
We’ve also smashed Goal 7, which aimed to include at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on at least 50% of itineraries in 2021. We met that goal and kept going, offering a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on 63% of our itineraries. These responsible travel experiences are carefully chosen to leave a positive impact on the places and people we visit. They’re endorsed by industry experts, are directly related to the UN Global Goals, and are developed only for Trafalgar and our related brands.
Last year, we also introduced a bunch of incredible new MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences to support communities, wildlife and environments all over the world. To celebrate, we’re diving into seven of Trafalgar’s greatest MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences you can have when you travel with us and how they directly contribute to reaching the UN Global Goals.
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1. Giant’s Causeway – County Antrim, Ireland
Located in Country Antrim in Northern Ireland, the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway is nature at its best. Made up of over 40,000 hexagonal basalt rock columns, you can’t help but marvel at this mystical wonder. You’ll walk in the footsteps of giants here as you learn the two stories of the Causeway’s creation; local legend says it was created after a fight between two giants, the Irish Finn McCool and the Scottish Benandonner; and the scientific evidence says it was formed six million years ago by basaltic lava flowing through the earth.
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Whatever story you go with, your visit will MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® by contributing to the National Trust initiative to preserve this incredible landscape. After a devastating fire destroyed the site’s Visitor Centre in 2000, the TreadRight Foundation joined forces in this former partnership with the National Trust to develop a new world-class Visitor Centre. The initiative also led to new conservation programs, upgraded walkways and new trails around the site. This breathtaking landscape is now accessible for everyone to enjoy.
UN Global Goals
Your visit to the Giant’s Causeway will directly advance the UN Global Goals 10 and 11 as it helps to preserve the cultural heritage and the natural landscape of County Antrim through the development of the sustainable Visitor Centre.
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2. Indigenous Experience and Manitobah Storyboot Project – Quebec, Canada
If you’ve always wanted to learn more about Canada’s diverse Indigenous cultures, you’ll want to join this experience. We’ll kick things off by meeting Indigenous Cultural Ambassadors at the Canadian Museum of History, the country’s most-visited museum. First, you’ll witness an incredible performance of a traditional powwow dance by native Algonquin people. Then, you’ll take a guided tour around the Indigenous village, where you’ll learn about indigenous cultures. You’ll also get to take part in a beading workshop using traditional materials.
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As part of the experience, you’ll learn about the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot Project, which revives and preserves the Indigenous arts. The project brings indigenous elders and artisans together to teach and learn how to make mukluks and moccasins the traditional way. You’ll also learn how the Storyboot Project has flourished into a global online store where Indigenous artists showcase their unique mukluks and moccasins and receive 100% of the proceeds.
As a recipient of a TreadRight Heritage Initiative grant, Manitobah Mukluks and TreadRight worked together to establish an educational space at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. Indigenous artisans delivered weekly Storyboot School sessions where they taught the history and craft of mukluks to local indigenous students.
UN Global Goals
This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience directly contributes to the UN Global Goals 10 and 11 as it works to safeguard the culture and traditions of the Métis peoples. It also creates skill development and real economic opportunities for Indigenous artists, helping to reduce inequalities. Your visit will support this wonderful program and give you a special insight into these Indigenous cultures.
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3. Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Kenya
This extraordinary MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will see you visiting the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. The conservancy is home to the last remaining northern white rhinos in the world and over 110 critically endangered black rhinos, and you’ll get to meet some of these beautiful animals.
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You’ll also meet the rangers at Ol Pejeta Conservancy and learn first-hand about their wildlife and nature conservation efforts. Hear amazing stories about their crucial work to stop rhino poaching. You can even get a photo at the point where the equator runs through the conservancy.
UN Global Goals
When you visit Ol Pejeta, you’ll directly contribute to the UN Global Goal 15, as the conservancy aims to restore and protect ecosystems and eliminate animal poaching and trafficking.
RELATED CONTENT: The 7 best experiences you can enjoy in Kenya with Trafalgar
4. Meet Local Specialist Jon Ghahate at Chaco Canyon – New Mexico, United States
Located inside the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Chaco Canyon is one of the most important centres of Ancestral Puebloan culture and history in the US. You’ll see this incredible place with Jon Ghahate from the Pueblos of Laguna and Zuni, of the Turkey and Badger Clans. He is a Pueblo guide and scholar and considers Chaco his ancestral homeland. He also serves as the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Museum Cultural Educator in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
You’ll meet Jon Ghahate for a walking tour through this wondrous World Heritage Site and be amazed as you explore the pre-Columbian architecture of the Ancient Pueblo peoples between CE 900 and 1150. One of the highlights is Pueblo Bonito, one of the most significant ‘Great Houses’ of the Ancestral Puebloans. Standing five stories high, with around 700 rooms, it was the largest structure in North America until the 18th century. You’ll get a special insight into these structures and hear ancient stories from Jon Ghahate.
UN Global Goals
Your taking part in this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will contribute to the UN Global Goals 10 and 11 through the conservation of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. It will also support the preservation of the culture and history of Ancestral Puebloans in the US.
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5. Visit an Orang Asli village – Malaysia
You’ll MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® in Malaysia when you visit a village inhabited by an indigenous tribe known as ‘Orang Asli’, or ‘First Peoples’ in the Malay language. The Orang Asli are a collective of 18 Indigenous tribes living across Malaysia and they are Malaysia’s first Indigenous peoples.
You’ll meet a Local Specialist here for a guided walk around the village where you can observe traditions such as bamboo cooking and weaving. You’ll also learn more about Orang Asli history and culture at the Orang Asli Museum, where you’ll discover stunning handicrafts, clothing, games, and cooking techniques.
UN Global Goals
Your visit will directly advance the UN Global Goals 10 and 11 by helping to preserve indigenous Orang Asli history and culture in Malaysia. Your visit also helps to support livelihoods and create economic opportunities for people in the village.
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6. Red Heritage Dinner & Show – Arizona, United States
You’ll help preserve Navajo culture when you visit the Navajo owned and operated Red Heritage Indigenous Enertainment Hall in Page. The theatre showcases local dancers, lively powwow dancing, and traditional hoop dancing. And it’s all backed by thrilling drum and flute music to make one incredible show.
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You’ll also get to enjoy Navajo-inspired food while you watch the show, including traditional chilli and authentic frybread. As both an educational and entertaining show, this amazing new experience is an initiative for sustainable tourism.
UN Global Goals
Your visit will support the UN Global Goals 10 and 11 to help preserve Navajo culture and traditions. It will also support livelihoods and create economic opportunities through sustainable tourism for Navajo people in the United States.
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7. Tesuque Pueblo Community Farm – New Mexico, United States
Food sovereignty is a critical global problem and the Tesuque Pueblo Community Farm in Santa Fe is working to overcome this issue for their community. On our Southwest Native Trails trip, you’ll visit the community farm and meet the agricultural director, Emigdio Ballon. He’ll share insights into how this Indigenous Pueblo community achieves food security by preserving heirloom seeds. He’ll also show you how the community is reviving traditional farming techniques and growing their own food.
You’ll get to see the solar-powered seed bank and tour the 70-acre farm as you learn more about their mission. The farm produces traditional crops and many varieties of grains, fruit, vegetables, and herbal medicines, which support local community health. The farm also has local beehives which provide pollination for the crops, and honey and beeswax for the community.
UN Global Goals
This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience directly advances the UN Global Goals 2, 10 and 11. It supports the Tesuque Pueblo Community Farm to create a sustainable and culturally-inspired community. It also helps to preserve traditional Pueblo seeds, foods, traditions, and farming techniques. The farm is also working to achieve food security, improve nutrition for the community, and promote sustainable agriculture.
To learn more about Trafalgar’s progress in meeting our 11 sustainability goals, read the full 2021 TreadRight Impact Report.