local travel and tourism organisations

The 3 types of travel and tourism organisations

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There are many different types of travel and tourism organisations. From tour operators to airlines, to tourist boards and conservation activists, each organisation is different. However, most travel and tourism organisations can be grouped into one of three categories: private, public or voluntary. In this article I will explain what’s meant by each type of thew types of travel and tourism organisations.

Types of travel and tourism organisations

What is a private travel and tourism organisation, aims of private travel and tourism organisations, tour operators, travel agents, transport organisations and hubs, visitor attractions, accommodation providers, what is a public travel and tourism organisation, aims of public travel and tourism organisations, tourist information centres, tourist boards, local transport organisations, regulatory bodies, government bodies, what is a voluntary travel and tourism organisation, aims of voluntary travelled tourism organisations, pressure groups, types of travel and tourism organisations: to conclude, further reading.

Travel and tourism is big business and there are many different types of travel and tourism organisations. Many argue that the tourism industry is the biggest industry in the world, employing more people than any other industry! There are many different components of tourism , meaning that there are a wide range of organisations that are involved in the operational logistics of tourism management.

The types of travel and tourism organisations can be broadly separated into one of three categories: private, public and voluntary. Below, I will explain what is meant by each type of organisation.

Private travel and tourism organisations

The first, and most common, types of travel and tourism organisations are privately owned. The majority of the travel and tourism industry is made up of private travel and tourism organisations. This includes many of the well-known companies that most of us are familiar with.

A private organisation is one that is owned by an individual person, a group of people or company.

Sometimes private organisations are public limited companies (PLCs). This means that the company is owned by many people who buy shares in the organisation. These shares are sold on the stock market. The price of shares goes up and down depending on the market value of the company.

Private travel and tourism organisations come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small companies, often known as small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Others are large companies, multinational companies and conglomerates.

Staff who work for a private travel and tourism organisation are generally paid a salary. Although travel and tourism salaries are often quite low, especially in developing countries!

These types of travel and tourism organisations have several aims. First and foremost, most private organisations aim to make a profit. Their most dominant motive is making money.

Many private travel and tourism organisations will also aim to increase their market share. This means that the company wants more customers than its competitors.

Private companies will often aim to grow their business and increase their turnover each year. In other words, they want to make more and more money every year.

Increasing revenue can be difficult and complicated. The infographic below gives you some idea of the aspects that need to be considered by a travel and tourism organisation when planning for growth and development.

Image is an important part of being a successful travel and tourism business. Private organisations will often try to portray a good image and/or improve their image. They can do this through taking on social projects , demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation or through charitable acts.

This is often referred to as corporate social responsibility.

Another way that private travel and tourism organisations can make more money and increase their profit is to diversify the range of products and services that they offer. In other words, the more different products/services that they sell, the more customers that they can potentially attract.

Examples of private travel and tourism organisations

There are many different private types of travel and tourism organisations. In fact, most organisations in the travel and tourism industry are privately owned! Below are some examples:

A tour operator is an organisations who puts together, or builds, a holiday.

There are many tour operators all over the world in all shapes and sizes. You may be familiar with some of the larger brands, such as TUI and Hays Travel.

A travel agent is the person who sells you a holiday. They can also sell individual travel products, such as flights or ancillaries (e.g. insurance, car hire, attraction tickets). There are several different types of travel agents .

Examples of travel agents that you may be familiar with include Cooperative Travel, Crystal Corporate and Virgin Holidays.

Transport is a key component of tourism and there are different methods of transport depending on the holiday.

A hub is a connecting point, where passengers may change transport options. For examples major airports bus station or a railway station.

Examples of major transport operators that you may be familiar with includes British Airways, Virgin Trains and Mega Bus.

Examples of major hubs include London Heathrow Airport, London Waterloo train station and London Victoria bus station.

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Many, but not all, visitor attractions are private travel and tourism organisations.

The types of visitor attractions vary widely, from theme parks to botanic gardens to historical buildings.

Examples of private visitor attractions that you may have heard of includes Disney Land, Paris, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Brighton Sea Life Centre.

Most accommodatio providers are privately owned.

There are many different types of accommodations ranging from bed and breakfast to caravans to hotels.

Accommodation providers that you may be familiar with include Hilton Hotel, Travel Lodge and Airbnb. Airbnb is a major player in the tourism industry in recent years- you can learn all about this business (and get a discount off of your first booking!) in this article- what is Airbnb?

Public travel and tourism organisations

Public travel and tourism organisations make up an important part of the travel and tourism industry . Public organisations provide many of the essentials fundamentals that enable the tourism industry to function. These types of travel and tourism organisations are less common than private organisations, but are an important part of the travel and tourism industry.

These types of travel and tourism organisations is an organisation that is owned or funded by the government.

Public organisations can be local organisations, i.e. smaller companies theatre based in specific local areas. Public organisations can also be national organisations, i.e. they operate on a country-wide level.

Public travel and tourism organisations will likely have paid staff as well as volunteers, who are unpaid.

The main aim of these types of travel and tourism organisations is to provide services to the public.

Public organisations are allocated funding by the government. The amount of funding that is allocated to a particular area depends on a number of factors, including a needs assessment and the government budget.

Each year the government will decide where and how to allocate money that is raised largely through taxes. You can learn more about how this is done in the short video clip below.

Public organisations should ensure that the best level of service is maintained. However, public organisations often have limited funds compared to private organisations. Therefore service levels are often lower in public organisations theatre directly comparable with private organisations (i.e. they are the same type of business operating in a similar way).

Unlike private organisations, public travel and tourism organisations are not profit-driven. Whilst many organisations do need to make money to survive, their main focus is not profit, but instead is the level of service. This means that prices can be kept lower for consumers.

Privatisation in travel and tourism Privatisation is a controversial topic within the tourism industry and beyond. Privatisation is the process of selling public organisations to private companies. By selling public organisations, the government can raise money and focus their efforts in alternate areas. However, this means that the government no longer have control over aspects such as pricing and service quality. There are many examples of privatisation in the travel and tourism industry. In the UK, British Airways was improved considerably when privatised- under government control the airline was about to fold. On the other hand, since much of British Rail has been sold to private companies prices have risen significantly and there is a lot of dissatisfaction amongst consumers with regards to service levels.

When public organisations make profit, the intention is that this money is reinvested. The money may be reinvested directly into the same business. Alternatively, the money may be allocated elsewhere within the annual government budget.

Examples of public travel and tourism organisations

Public organisations are some of the most important types of travel and tourism organisations. They are often the backbone of the rest of the industry, without which it could not operate. Below are some examples of public travel and tourism organisations.

A tourist information centre (TCI) is an organisation that provides information to tourists.

Tourist information centres will often be located in tourist areas such as towns and cities and coastal destinations. They are also typically found at airports or major transport hubs.

Tourist information centres often provide free information such as maps, apps, brochures and leaflets about tourism in the area.

A tourist board is an organisation whose responsibility is to provide information about and promote a particular tourist area.

Tourist boards can be regional or national. Their job is to encourage tourism in the are within which they are based.

Tourist boards that you may have heard of in the UK include Visit Britain (the national tourist board), Visit Cornwall and Visit Oxford (regional tourist boards).

There are some visitor attractions theatre publicly owned.

In the UK, we have many museums and exhibitions theatre public organisations. The government subsidises entrance costs at some of the public tourist attractions.

By keeping a tourist attractions as a public organisation it enables protection and preservation of the area and of the attraction itself.It also enables sustainable tourism management by assessing capacity levels and visitor numbers.

Public tourist attractions that you may have heard of include the Natural History Museum in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Great Wall of China .

Many transport providers are publicly owned.

Buses, trains and airports are often public organisations. Although, as I previously stated, sometimes these are privatised.

By keeping public transport publicly owned it generally enables prices to stay lower, although the service may be inferior to private transport companies, who may choose to investor money into their products and services in anticipation of greater financial outcomes.

A regulatory body is an organisation with the purpose of regulating. These organisations will monitor and assess, imposing requirements and rules as needed. Regulatory bodies set standards and enforce compliance.

Regulatory bodies in the UK include the Bank of England and the Financial Policy Committee.

A government body is a group of people who are given the responsibility of exercising governance. These people are responsible for making decisions and agreeing law.

Government bodies are typically separated into sectors of the economy. Examples include the Department of Agriculture and the Department for Education.

Voluntary travel and tourism organisations

The voluntary sector plays an important role in our society. There are many different types of voluntary organisations, some of which can be defined as tourism-based organisations . Lets learn a little bit more about these types of travel and tourism organisations.

A voluntary travel and tourism organisation is a company that is not profit making. For these types of travel and tourism organisations, any profit that is received is directed back into the business, not into the hands of CEOs or shareholders, as would be the case with a private travel and tourism organisation.

Voluntary travel and tourism organisations are often funded through charitable donations or government grants. Sometimes they operate aspart of a legacy.

Some voluntary organisations charge entrance fees to help with maintenance and running costs of the business.

Voluntary travel and tourism organisations will often rely on unpaid volunteers to operate. There will also usually be some paid staff, although salaries in the charitable sector are typically quite low.

For these types of travel and tourism organisations, the aim of a voluntary travel and tourism organisation is to preserve or protect particular areas of society or natural environments.

This can include environmental protection and conservation, such as a turtle breeding programme in Costa Rica or a volunteer tourism project operating in the Amazon rainforest.

Voluntary travel and tourism organisations may focus on the conservation of buildings, particularly if they are of historical or cultural value . They may also work with tourism stakeholders on landscape designs and features, often to ensure that any new development is in keeping with or does not negatively inflict on the current landscape.

Many voluntary travel and tourism organisations will work to lobby or campaign on particular issues. This will likely include cultural preservation, environmental protection and economic distribution. If there is a proposed development thatchy do not approve of, the voluntary organisation will often campaign against it.

Many voluntary travel and tourism organisations will centre around the concepts of conservation and sustainability.

Examples of voluntary travel and tourism organisations

There are many voluntary travel and tourism organisations around the world. Some examples of these types of travel and tourism organisations include:

Some visitor attractions are non-profit, voluntary travel and tourism organisations. Sometimes these are natural attractions and sometimes these are man-made attractions.

Examples include many National Trust organisations and conservation-based projects, such as elephant rescue programmes in Thailand or maorinebiology research programmes in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia .

Some transport is operated on a voluntary basis. This will often be associated with other charitable projects or as an incentive to encourage visitors to visit particular area.

There are a number of charities that are associated with the travel and tourism industry.

Organisations such as World Wildlife Fund and the International Animal Welfare Charity are directly linked with a number of tourism-based projects and initiatives.

A pressure group is an organisation which campaigns for change.

There are a number of pressure groups that are not tourism-based, but that are related to tourism management, such as Animal Aid and Friends of the Earth.

There are also pressure groups that are solely tourism focussed, such as the Aviation Environment Federation or Tourism Concern (note- Tourism Concern has recently ceased operations).

As you can see, there are many different types of travel and tourism organisations. These range from large to small and from profit-making to non-for-profit. There are three main types of travelled tourism organisations, which are private, public and voluntary.

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Support Local Communities with Community Based Tourism

Table of contents :

I- discover the power of community based tourism, definition of community based tourism.

Community based tourism is a form of tourism that involves the participation of local communities in the design and operation of tourism activities. It aims to provide economic and social benefits to the local community while also preserving cultural traditions and protecting the environment .

Importance of supporting local communities and the environment

Supporting local communities and the environment is increasingly important as the tourism industry grows. By choosing to participate in community based tourism , travelers can contribute to the development and prosperity of local communities while also having authentic and meaningful travel experiences.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of community based tourism and how it can support local communities and the environment. We will also provide examples of successful community based tourism initiatives , such as the Ccaccollo community project in Peru , which has used tourism as a tool to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources while also providing economic opportunities for women in the community .

II- The benefits of community based tourism

Generating income for local businesses and families

Generating income for local businesses and families: community based tourism initiatives often provide a source of income for local businesses and families. For example, the Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op in Peru has been able to contribute to their families' income and provide employment for 60 women in the community through their partnership with Planeterra . This type of tourism helps to stimulate economic growth in local communities and can provide an alternative to traditional industries that may not be as sustainable or environmentally friendly.

Preserving cultural traditions and heritage

Preserving cultural traditions and heritage: community based tourism can also help to preserve cultural traditions and heritage. In the case of the Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op, tourism has provided a way to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources, and to express, share, develop, and pursue traditional weaving techniques. By supporting these types of initiatives, travelers can help to keep traditional cultures alive and thriving.

Supporting sustainable development and conservation efforts

Supporting sustainable development and conservation efforts: community based tourism can also support sustainable development and conservation efforts in local communities. By partnering with organizations like Planeterra , communities can use tourism as a tool to preserve their natural and cultural resources. This type of tourism can also provide an alternative to industries that may not be as sustainable or environmentally friendly, helping to reduce the impact on local ecosystems.

Providing authentic travel experiences

Providing authentic travel experiences: Finally, community based tourism offers travelers the opportunity to have authentic and immersive travel experiences. By engaging with local communities and learning about their traditions and culture, travelers can have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination they are visiting. This type of tourism allows for a more authentic and meaningful travel experience that cannot be found through traditional tourism options.

III- Example of a successful community based tourism project: Ccaccaccollo community in Peru

Background on the community and its challenges

The Ccaccaccollo community is located in the Andean area of Cuzco, Peru and is inhabited primarily by 140 Quechua speaking families. Despite being located near popular tourist destinations such as Cuzco and Machu Picchu, very few surrounding communities have benefited from tourism. The Ccaccaccollo community maintains a traditional way of life, with many people working in agriculture. However, like many communities around the world, women in the Ccaccaccollo community have often been excluded from educational and economic opportunities.

Description of the Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op and Community Homestay

To address this issue, Planeterra , a non-profit organization, developed a partnership with the Ccaccaccollo community in 2005 to create a women's weaving cooperative. The goal of the cooperative was to provide economic opportunities for the women of the community through the production and sale of traditional woven items made from llama and alpaca wool. Planeterra provided capacity building programs, built facilities, and purchased equipment for the co-op, as well as supporting the women with new methods of production to make their items more desirable to travelers.

Since its inception, the Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op has grown significantly. It is now owned by 46 women, up from just 3 when the project first began. The cooperative has been able to contribute to the income of their families, and those involved in the cooperative are the first generation to be completely literate in Spanish. The success of the cooperative has also led to the development of a Community Homestay in the community.

Impact of the project on the community and its members

The Ccaccaccollo community tourism project has had a significant impact on the community and its members. The women who have been involved in the project since the beginning report that all of their children now study in university. In addition, the project has helped to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources, as well as allowing the community to express, share, develop, and pursue their traditions through tourism. The project has also provided a way for the community to use tourism as a tool for sustainable development and conservation efforts. Overall, the Ccaccaccollo community tourism project is a great example of the benefits of community based tourism and how it can support local communities and the environment.

Watch the video from Planeterra :

IV- How to support community based tourism

Tips for travelers on how to participate in responsible tourism.

As travelers, there are many ways to support and participate in responsible tourism and community based tourism. Here are some tips on how to get involved:

• Research and book with companies that prioritize community based tourism: Look for travel companies and organizations that prioritize the involvement and benefit of local communities in their tourism offerings. This can include supporting local businesses, preserving cultural traditions, and promoting sustainable development.
• Choose accommodations and activities that are locally owned and operated: When booking accommodations and activities, consider supporting locally owned and operated businesses. This can help to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are directly benefiting the local community.
• Respect local customs and traditions: When traveling to a new destination, it's important to respect the customs and traditions of the local community. This can include dressing modestly, avoiding loud noise or behavior, and asking permission before taking photos of people.
• Be a responsible traveler : Be mindful of your impact on the environment and the local community. This can include reducing your use of single-use plastics, respecting wildlife and natural habitats, and supporting local conservation efforts.

Ways to research and book community based tourism experiences

Ways to research and book community based tourism experiences: One way to support community based tourism is to book your trip through a responsible travel agency , such as Travel Differently . At Travel Differently , we prioritize authentic and immersive experiences that benefit local communities and the environment. We work with local partners and support initiatives that empower communitie s and preserve cultural traditions . By booking with us, you can have the peace of mind that your trip is supporting sustainable tourism practices .

The role of travel companies and organizations in promoting community based tourism

Travel companies and organizations also have a role to play in promoting and supporting community based tourism. This can include partnering with local communities to offer authentic travel experiences , investing in sustainable tourism initiative s, and promoting responsible tourism practices . By supporting community based tourism, travelers and travel companies can help to create positive and lasting impacts on local communities and the environment.

V- Embrace the Power of Community-Based Tourism: Make a Positive Impact on Your Next Trip

In conclusion, community based tourism is a sustainable and responsible way to travel that benefits both the traveler and the local community. By supporting local businesses and cultural traditions, travelers can contribute to the long-term economic and social development of the communities they visit.

At Travel Differently , we believe in the power of tourism to create positive change and are committed to partnering with communities around the world to create authentic and meaningful travel experiences. We encourage all travelers to consider the impact of their trip and to choose community based tourism as a way to support local communities and preserve cultural traditions.

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Community-based tourism: how your trip can make a positive impact on local people

Community-based tourism can reap great rewards. Done well, it enables local organisations to protect precious habitats, preserve unique culture and empower grassroots employees.

In the mid-1990s, the remote community of Klemtu in Canada’s British Columbia had to make a choice. Hit hard by the collapse of the fishing and forestry industries, unemployment was rocketing, and options were running out. But they knew there were two things in the Great Bear Rainforest that you couldn’t get anywhere else: their own Indigenous culture and the rare, ghostly-white Kermode bear, also known as the Spirit Bear. And that’s how Spirit Bear Lodge was born: a showcase of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation, and an entry point for exploring the extraordinary wilderness of the largest temperate rainforest on Earth, with the added benefit of spotting those elusive bears, along with wolves, whales and brown bears. Today, the lodge is a blueprint for conservation-based, community-based tourism, with a string of successes under its belt: the surrounding rainforest is now protected from logging, bear hunting has been banned and the community has a steady income. It has also, they say, fuelled a cultural renaissance. “The lodge has created opportunities for young and old to thrive in their homelands, while educating people from around the world with our rich culture,” explains Roxanne Robinson, guest services manager at the lodge. Guests learn about Kitasoo/Xai’xais culture from the lodge staff and their guides on wildlife expeditions, kayaking tours and cultural visits, while younger community members drop by as part of the Súa Educational Foundation programme. “Súa means ‘thunder’ in our language, and they come to share stories, songs and dances with guests in our traditional big house,” says Robinson. Guests not only have an incredible experience, but they can also sleep easy knowing that their tourist dollars are doing good. Doing good, if reports are anything to go by, is something we all want to do more of. According to an American Express poll last year, 72% of travellers want to help boost tourism revenue in local economies. And the latest sustainability report by Booking.com showed that 73% of travellers would like to have authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture; 84% believe that preservation of cultural heritage is crucial; and 76% want to be sure that their economic impact is spread equally throughout society. So, being a responsible traveller is no longer just about protecting the environment or reducing our carbon footprints. It’s about how our tourist dollars can do good in the places we visit. It’s about communities. It’s taking the ‘buy local’ mantra — supporting your neighbourhood bookshop instead of buying on Amazon, say, or eating in a local restaurant instead of McDonald’s — and using it on your travels. When travelling, though, buying locally can be more nuanced. It could mean eating out in a local restaurant — but who owns the restaurant? Are the staff local but the profits going abroad? Does the restaurant support local producers and farmers, or are the ingredients imported? Is the attached gift shop a showcase of Indigenous craftsmanship, or are the souvenirs all made in China?  

It is, in other words, complicated. “Is it tourism that takes place in a community?” asks Dr Albert Kimbu, head of tourism and transport at the University of Surrey. “Or is it tourism that’s actively engaging and benefitting communities?” That’s the key. That’s the question we, as travellers, need to be asking. “My take on community-based tourism, or CBT,” explains Dr Kimbu, “is that it has to be by the community, for the community.” In other words, if a hotel or lodge takes guests to visit a local school, or to see a cultural dance in a local village, which might be taking place in the community — is the community genuinely benefitting? They might be getting paid, but it could also be straight-up cultural exploitation. Jamie Sweeting, CEO of Planeterra, the non-profit partner of G Adventures, which specialises in community tourism, agrees: “It needs to be owned, led and run by the communities themselves.” Why? “Because,” explains Dr Kimbu, “When communities become aware that what they have is a product that can be sold, then they have a stake in protecting it.” Take the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda. The saleable product here is the mountain gorilla that inhabits Volcanoes National Park next door. Visitors will pay a high price to see them in the wild. Working with Sacola, a local non-profit, the idea of a lodge that’s 100%-owned and -run by the community was born, with all profits going back into social and economic projects, as well as conservation within the park. It’s worked a treat. Since opening in 2006, US$4m (£3m) has gone into community and conservation projects, while the gorilla population in the park now includes 10 different gorilla groups. So, the community recognised the financial benefits of their neighbouring gorillas and now benefit by protecting their environment. But CBT at its best goes way beyond employing locally. It means the community gets to decide how to protect the culture and environment on which it depends. So, the community benefits, the environment and local culture is safeguarded, and the resulting economic benefits stay within the community. Win-win-win. There are ripple effects, too. Spier, a wine estate in South Africa’s Stellenbosch region, has a Growing for Good programme, which includes mentoring and assisting local entrepreneurs to create businesses that can then be used by Spier. This has worked with a local laundry service, for example, as well as a taxi service used by its guests. And Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada is all about the ripple effects, having been created entirely for the benefit of the local community. This 29-room luxury inn was built by local philanthropist Zita Cobb through her Shorefast Foundation, and 100% of operating surpluses are reinvested in the community — a community that was in dire straits just a decade ago, thanks to the collapse of the global cod market.  

Power in partnership

Sabyinyo, Spier and Fogo are examples of when it works. When it doesn’t work, community involvement is nothing short of exploitation. As Amanda Ho, the co-founder of Regenerative Travel, puts it: “In many cases, what we’ve seen is communities around the world angry that their health, wellbeing, and priorities are not being recognised or respected by tourism.” Jamie Sweeting tells me about a particular lodge in Botswana — he won’t name names — which was ‘talking the talk’ about working with the Indigenous San. “The website was shouting about empowering the local community,” he says. But when Planeterra did some digging, it found that while the San were used to put on cultural shows at the lodge, they were earning below the living wage and staying in poor accommodation with barely enough food. Planeterra worked with the local San people to promote and upskill the community-owned Dqae Qare San Lodge nearby, helping them gain direct access to the same markets the other lodge was benefitting from.  

“Community-based tourism can be especially beneficial in empowering women, who are often responsible for the homestay or dining components of a trip” Francisca Kellett

That lack of access to market — and the lack of the knowledge, skills and infrastructure needed to run a successful travel business — is key. As Justin Francis of Responsible Travel puts it: “Being able to access the distribution chains of the tourism industry — to get guests through the doors — is difficult without the partnership of an established tour operator.” When CBT first appeared around 20-25 years ago, he says, NGOs and donors would pitch up at communities, build beautiful ecolodges, but allow the communities very little say — and then fail to provide the training, infrastructure and business know-how to lead to any kind of success.  

Having a voice, Francis says, is key where elected community representatives participate in the decision making: “The driving force behind successful CBT projects is local people setting the terms. It’s about them making informed decisions around how tourism develops.” In the case of the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Cooperative in Peru’s Sacred Valley, it was three women that had that voice. “When they first came to us, only a handful could do traditional Inca weaving,” Sweeting says. Led by those women, Planeterra assisted with training, infrastructure and marketing, and the co-op has boomed, now owned and run by more than 65 individuals, with an attached homestay attracting overnight visitors. CBT can be especially beneficial in empowering women, who are often responsible for the homestay or dining components of a trip. Dreamcatchers, a tour operator in South Africa, recognised this over 30 years ago, and helped launch a range of CBT enterprises including ‘Kammama’, a selection of nationwide, women-run homestays and experiences, from cooking courses in Soweto to an overnight stay with a family in the Cape Winelands. In the case of Ccaccaccollo, the ripple effect has been a huge uptick in education in the community: all the women involved are now fully literate in Spanish, the first generation to achieve this locally, and most have children in tertiary education — another first. “And there has been an uplift in the pride in their culture. They’re embracing it. They can see that people from dozens of countries travel to visit them because they have something special to offer,” says Sweeting. That special offering is what’s in it for us. “For travellers, CBT offers a genuinely authentic experience and insight into local life,” says Zina Bencheikh, at Intrepid Travel. “Travellers are welcomed into a community and have the chance to immerse themselves.” Intrepid now aims to bring a degree of CBT into many of its sustainable, small-group adventure tours. “Our clients often talk about our CBT experiences as one of the unexpected highlights of their trip,” says Bencheikh. So how do we spot the good guys? How do we know whether a lodge or restaurant or experience that claims to benefit a community genuinely is?   “Ask questions,” says Dr Kimbu. “Have a discussion with those organising your trip.” Bencheikh agrees. “Do your research. Before you visit, ask questions about how the project is run and where the money goes from your visit.” Travelling with a trusted tour operator is also sensible, as is looking out for any certification programmes such as B Corp. Covid-19, of course, has had a dreadful impact on CBT. Planeterra recently launched the Global Community Tourism Network, providing online training, promotion and marketing, to help organisations prepare for when tourists come back. “Many communities don’t have internet or phone access,” explains Sweeting. “So, we also have 16 strategic partnerships, mostly local non-profits with their own network. Our reach is now more than 800 community tourism enterprises in 75 countries.” On the flipside, Covid-19 has also changed how we want to travel. “There’s been a definite shift, with more travellers wanting to find purpose in their trips,” says Sweeting. “We need to take advantage of that. When you’re able to experience something owned and run by a community, it’s much more rewarding, and a more equitable experience for the host and the guest.” As Dr Kimbu puts it, “CBT has a sense of fairness and justice.” It’s that sense of fairness and justice that’s been behind the success of Spirit Bear Lodge for more than 20 years and one that the community hopes will last for generations. “I do hope that my children and future children continue with Spirit Bear Lodge,” Robinson tells me. “Seeing the growth in this company has been amazing. It’s a great way to learn and grow and thrive in our homelands.” You can’t say fairer than that.  

Published in the   May 2022   issue of   National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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What Does Local Tourism Mean

Published: December 12, 2023

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by Genni Wellman

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Introduction

When it comes to exploring new destinations and experiencing different cultures, there is a growing trend towards embracing local tourism. Local tourism, also known as community-based tourism or grassroots tourism, is all about immersing oneself in the local community and getting a genuine taste of the destination.

Unlike traditional tourism, which often focuses on popular tourist attractions and staying in mainstream hotels, local tourism offers a more authentic and enriching experience by connecting travelers with local residents, traditions, and customs. It allows visitors to go beyond the surface level and truly understand the essence of a place.

Traveling as a local tourist means venturing off the beaten path, exploring hidden gems, interacting with locals, and contributing to the local economy. It is a way to support sustainable tourism practices, preserve cultural heritage, and promote community development.

In recent years, local tourism has gained significant popularity due to various factors. Firstly, there is a growing interest among travelers in seeking unique and meaningful experiences. Many people are no longer satisfied with superficial sightseeing and are eager to engage with locals and learn about their way of life.

Secondly, the rise of social media has played a crucial role in promoting local tourism. Travelers are sharing their experiences and recommendations online, which influences others to follow in their footsteps. This word-of-mouth promotion has helped uncover lesser-known destinations and contributed to their growth.

Lastly, travelers are becoming more conscious of the impact of their choices. They are looking for ways to minimize their carbon footprint, support local economies, and preserve cultural heritage. Local tourism aligns perfectly with these values, as it allows visitors to have a positive impact on the communities they visit.

In this article, we will delve deeper into the concept of local tourism, its importance, benefits, challenges, and strategies for promoting it effectively. We will also explore successful examples of local tourism initiatives from around the world. So, pack your bags and get ready for a journey into the heart of local tourism!

Definition of Local Tourism

Local tourism can be defined as a form of travel that focuses on immersing oneself in the local community and culture of a destination. It emphasizes grassroots experiences, connecting travelers with the local residents, traditions, and customs of a place. Unlike traditional tourism, which often revolves around well-known tourist attractions and commercial establishments, local tourism highlights the unique aspects of a destination that are not as widely known or explored.

Local tourism goes beyond just visiting a place; it aims to provide travelers with an authentic and immersive experience. It involves staying in locally-owned accommodations, dining at neighborhood restaurants, shopping at local markets, and participating in community events. It encourages travelers to engage with the local population, learn about their way of life, and contribute to the local economy and community development.

One of the key aspects of local tourism is sustainability. It promotes responsible travel practices that minimize the negative impact on the environment and cultural heritage. By supporting small businesses and local initiatives, visitors help to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of a destination. In return, they gain a deeper understanding of the local culture, traditions, and history.

Local tourism can take many forms, depending on the destination and the interests of the traveler. It could involve exploring rural villages, participating in traditional crafts or art workshops, learning about local cuisine, or engaging in cultural performances. The focus is on creating meaningful connections and experiences that leave a lasting impression on both the traveler and the community.

Overall, local tourism offers a unique and alternative way of experiencing a destination. It allows travelers to go beyond the surface level and truly understand the essence of a place through local interactions. By embracing local tourism, travelers not only enrich their own travel experiences but also contribute to the well-being and sustainability of the communities they visit.

Importance of Local Tourism

Local tourism plays a crucial role in the development and sustainability of a destination. It offers numerous benefits, both for the travelers and the local communities. Let’s explore why local tourism is important.

1. Preserving Cultural Heritage: Local tourism helps to preserve and promote the unique cultural heritage of a destination. By supporting local artisans, craftsmen, and cultural initiatives, travelers contribute to the preservation and transmission of traditional customs, practices, and knowledge from one generation to another.

2. Economic Advancement: Local tourism has a significant economic impact on communities. By choosing local accommodations, restaurants, and businesses, travelers channel their spending directly into the local economy. This supports job creation, entrepreneurship, and overall economic development, particularly in rural areas that may otherwise struggle to attract visitors.

3. Sustainable Development: Local tourism promotes sustainable and responsible travel practices. It encourages visitors to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting environmentally friendly initiatives, such as eco-lodges, farm-to-table dining, and nature conservation projects. By minimizing negative environmental impacts, local tourism helps to safeguard natural resources for future generations.

4. Authentic Experiences: One of the key benefits of local tourism is the opportunity to have authentic and immersive experiences. Travelers get the chance to go beyond the typical tourist attractions and interact with the locals. This fosters a deeper understanding of the local culture, traditions, and way of life.

5. Community Empowerment: Local tourism empowers local communities to take control of their own development. By involving local residents in tourism activities, they gain a sense of pride and ownership. This stimulates community involvement, leading to increased social cohesion, cultural appreciation, and self-sufficiency.

6. Diversifying Tourism Offerings: Local tourism helps to diversify the tourism offerings of a destination. It brings attention to lesser-known places, encourages the development of new tourism products and services, and promotes a more balanced distribution of visitors. This reduces the strain on overcrowded tourist hotspots and helps to distribute economic benefits more evenly.

7. Enhancing Sustainability: By supporting local tourism, travelers contribute to the long-term sustainability of a destination. They help to maintain the unique character and authenticity of the place by fostering cultural pride, environmental protection, and social well-being.

Overall, local tourism is essential for the preservation of cultural identity, economic growth, and sustainable development. By choosing to travel as local tourists, we can make a positive impact on the communities we visit while enjoying enriching and meaningful experiences.

Benefits of Local Tourism

Local tourism offers a wide range of benefits, both for travelers and the local communities they visit. Let’s explore some of the key advantages of embracing local tourism.

1. Authentic Experiences: One of the major benefits of local tourism is the opportunity to have authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences. Travelers can immerse themselves in the local culture, traditions, and way of life, providing a deeper understanding and appreciation for the destination. By interacting with locals, participating in community activities, and exploring hidden gems, travelers can create lifelong memories and unique stories to share.

2. Cultural Exchange: Local tourism fosters cultural exchange between travelers and local residents. It encourages meaningful interactions, allowing visitors to learn firsthand about different cultures, traditions, and perspectives. This promotes cross-cultural understanding, tolerance, and appreciation, breaking down barriers and creating bridges of friendship and empathy.

3. Support for Local Economies: When travelers engage in local tourism, they directly contribute to the local economy. By staying in locally-owned accommodations, dining at local restaurants, and supporting local businesses, travelers help create jobs and stimulate economic growth. This income directly benefits the local community, improving the quality of life for residents and encouraging entrepreneurship.

4. Preserving Cultural Heritage: Local tourism plays a vital role in preserving the cultural heritage of a destination. By supporting local artisans, craftsmen, and cultural initiatives, travelers contribute to the survival and continuation of traditional customs, practices, and craftsmanship. This helps maintain the unique identity and authenticity of a place and ensures that cultural heritage is passed down to future generations.

5. Environmental Sustainability: Local tourism promotes sustainable travel practices, minimizing the negative impact on the environment. By supporting eco-friendly initiatives, such as organic farming, renewable energy, and nature conservation projects, travelers help protect the natural resources and biodiversity of a destination. This ensures the preservation of natural landscapes and habitats for future generations to enjoy.

6. Strengthening Communities: Local tourism empowers local communities and strengthens social bonds. It encourages community involvement and participation in tourism activities, fostering a sense of pride and ownership. This strengthens social cohesion, cultural identity, and local resilience, creating a sustainable and inclusive community.

7. Unique and Personalized Experiences: Local tourism offers personalized experiences tailored to individual preferences and interests. Whether it’s exploring local markets, participating in cooking classes, or engaging in cultural performances, travelers can create a customized itinerary that aligns with their desires. This allows for more meaningful and memorable experiences that go beyond the typical tourist attractions.

In summary, local tourism provides a multitude of benefits, including authentic experiences, cultural exchange, economic support, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and personalized experiences. By embracing local tourism, travelers can make a positive impact on the destinations they visit while enjoying enriching and rewarding experiences themselves.

Challenges of Local Tourism

While local tourism offers numerous benefits, it also faces various challenges that need to be addressed for its successful implementation. Let’s explore some of the challenges associated with local tourism.

1. Infrastructure and Facilities: Local communities may face challenges in providing adequate infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the needs of tourists. Limited transportation options, lack of quality accommodations, and limited access to amenities can deter travelers from choosing local tourism. Investment in infrastructure development is crucial to ensure a comfortable and convenient experience for visitors.

2. Limited Awareness and Marketing: Local tourism initiatives often struggle with limited awareness and marketing efforts. Many travelers may be unaware of the unique experiences and attractions that local communities offer. Lack of effective marketing strategies and presence in tourism platforms can hinder the visibility and promotion of local tourism opportunities.

3. Balancing Sustainability and Commercialization: Local tourism needs to strike a balance between sustainable practices and commercialization. As tourism grows, there is a risk of overcommercialization and loss of authenticity. It’s essential to implement sustainable tourism practices that protect the local environment, culture, and traditional way of life, while still generating economic benefits for the community.

4. Preserving Cultural Integrity: Maintaining the cultural integrity of a destination can be a challenge in the face of increased tourism. Local communities need to find ways to protect their cultural heritage and prevent it from being diluted or commodified. Sustainable tourism practices, community involvement, and responsible visitor behavior can help preserve the cultural authenticity of a place.

5. Capacity Building and Training: Local tourism initiatives require appropriate training and capacity building for community members involved in tourism-related activities. This includes training in hospitality, customer service, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation. Building the necessary skills and knowledge will help ensure a high-quality experience for visitors and enhance the overall sustainability of local tourism.

6. Seasonality and Tourism Dependence: Many local tourism destinations heavily rely on seasonal visitation, which can lead to economic fluctuations and dependency on a particular time of the year. Diversifying tourism offerings and extending the length of the tourism season can help mitigate this challenge and create more stable economic opportunities for local communities.

7. Balancing Local Needs and Visitor Expectations: Local tourism initiatives must strike a balance between meeting the needs and expectations of both local residents and visitors. It is essential to consider the social, cultural, and economic impacts on the community while ensuring a positive and satisfying experience for travelers.

Addressing these challenges requires collaboration and cooperation between local communities, government bodies, tourism organizations, and visitors. By overcoming these obstacles, local tourism can thrive and continue to provide meaningful experiences for both travelers and locals alike.

Strategies for Promoting Local Tourism

Promoting local tourism requires a strategic approach that encompasses various aspects, from marketing and community engagement to sustainable development. Here are some effective strategies that can be employed to promote and support local tourism initiatives.

1. Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration among local stakeholders, including community members, tourism organizations, local businesses, and government authorities. By working together, they can create a unified vision for local tourism and develop joint marketing campaigns, shared infrastructure, and cooperative ventures that benefit the entire community.

2. Engage the Local Community: Involve and engage the local community in the tourism development process. Encourage their participation in decision-making, training programs, and tourism-related activities. This not only creates a sense of ownership but also ensures that the community’s perspectives, traditions, and expertise are respected and valued.

3. Develop Authentic Experiences: Emphasize the unique and authentic experiences available in the local community. Highlight the cultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship, local cuisine, and lesser-known attractions that differentiate the destination from mainstream tourism. This can be done through storytelling, local guides, immersive activities, and showcasing the local way of life.

4. Digital Marketing and Online Presence: Leverage digital platforms and social media to reach a broader audience. Create a website or online platform dedicated to promoting local tourism, featuring captivating visuals, informative content, and user-generated content. Engage with travel influencers, bloggers, and online communities to generate buzz and create awareness about the destination.

5. Sustainable Tourism Practices: Prioritize sustainable tourism practices that minimize the negative impact on the environment, culture, and community. Encourage eco-friendly initiatives such as waste reduction, renewable energy, and responsible tourism guidelines. Showcase the destination’s commitment to sustainability, which can attract eco-conscious travelers seeking meaningful and responsible travel experiences.

6. Cultural Preservation and Education: Implement programs that preserve and promote the local culture and heritage. This can include cultural festivals, art exhibitions, workshops, and heritage tours. By educating both locals and visitors about the importance of cultural preservation, there is a greater appreciation for the destination’s unique identity and traditions.

7. Support Local Businesses: Encourage visitors to support local businesses by highlighting the benefits of shopping at local markets, staying in locally-owned accommodations, and dining at neighborhood restaurants. Promote the connection between local products, services, and the overall local experience. This creates economic opportunities for the community and ensures a more authentic and vibrant tourism sector.

8. Community-Based Tourism Initiatives: Initiate and support community-based tourism projects that allow visitors to directly interact with locals and learn about their way of life. This can include homestays, community-led tours, and volunteering opportunities. By actively involving the local community in tourism activities, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the destination while contributing to its sustainable development.

9. Visitor Education and Responsible Travel: Educate visitors about responsible travel practices, such as respecting local customs, traditions, and the environment. Provide guidelines on how to engage with the community respectfully and encourage them to be mindful of their behavior and impact on the destination. Empower them to be ambassadors for responsible travel and share their experiences with others.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously monitor the impact of local tourism initiatives and evaluate their effectiveness. Collect feedback from visitors and the local community to identify areas for improvement and measure the success of promotional strategies. This data-driven approach allows for effective decision-making and the adaptation of strategies to changing needs and trends.

By implementing these strategies, destinations can effectively promote and support local tourism. This will not only benefit the local community but also provide travelers with unique and enriching experiences that leave a positive impact.

Examples of Successful Local Tourism Initiatives

Several destinations around the world have successfully implemented local tourism initiatives, showcasing the positive outcomes that can be achieved through community involvement and sustainable practices. Let’s explore some inspiring examples of successful local tourism initiatives.

1. The Guna Yala Indigenous Community, Panama: The Guna Yala community in Panama has embraced community-based tourism to preserve their culture and improve their livelihoods. Visitors can stay in traditional Guna-owned accommodations, learn about their customs and traditions, and engage in activities such as fishing, coconut harvesting, and traditional dance performances. Through controlled tourism, the Guna Yala community has been able to generate income while preserving their ancestral lands and way of life.

2. Kerala Backwaters, India: The Kerala Backwaters in India has implemented a successful community-based tourism model. Local residents offer homestays, boat tours, and cooking classes, providing visitors with an authentic experience while creating economic opportunities for local communities. The community-based approach has helped sustain the fragile ecosystem of the backwaters while promoting cultural exchange and supporting livelihoods.

3. The Sami Cultural Tourism Network, Norway: The Sami cultural tourism network in Norway has been successful in preserving and promoting Sami traditions and culture. Local Sami communities offer guided tours, reindeer sledding, and traditional handicraft workshops. Through these initiatives, visitors gain insights into Sami traditions and contribute to the economic well-being of the community. The network also works towards sustainable tourism development by respecting and protecting the environment and Sami cultural practices.

4. The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve, Borneo: Located in Borneo, the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve showcases how local tourism can contribute to environmental conservation. The reserve focuses on ecotourism, offering guided tours that highlight the importance of conserving the habitat and protecting endangered wildlife. Revenue from tourism activities supports reforestation efforts, local communities, and wildlife conservation initiatives.

5. The Maasai Mara Community Conservancies, Kenya: The Maasai Mara Community Conservancies in Kenya demonstrate the successful involvement of local communities in wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism. Maasai communities have established conservancies where visitors can go on guided safaris and experience Maasai culture and traditions. The conservancies have helped protect wildlife habitats, preserve cultural heritage, and provide alternative livelihoods for the Maasai people.

6. The Slow Food Movement, Italy: The Slow Food movement in Italy promotes local food culture and culinary heritage. It encourages travelers to experience local traditions and flavors by supporting local farmers, food producers, and chefs. Through events, festivals, and educational opportunities, the Slow Food movement enhances the overall tourism experience while promoting sustainability, local economies, and cultural preservation.

7. The Community-Based Homestays in Thailand: In several rural communities in Thailand, community-based homestays have been established to provide travelers with an authentic cultural experience. Visitors stay with local families, participate in daily activities, and learn about Thai customs and traditions. The income generated from homestays benefits the community, supporting local businesses and improving infrastructure and services.

These successful examples showcase the power of local tourism initiatives in preserving cultural heritage, supporting local communities, promoting sustainability, and offering unique travel experiences. They demonstrate the positive outcomes that can be achieved when local communities actively engage in tourism activities and collaborate with stakeholders to create a thriving and responsible tourism sector.

Local tourism offers a refreshing and authentic alternative to traditional tourism, providing travelers with immersive experiences that go beyond surface-level sightseeing. It emphasizes community engagement, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices, making it a valuable and meaningful way to explore a destination.

Throughout this article, we have explored the definition, importance, benefits, challenges, strategies, and successful examples of local tourism initiatives. We have seen how local tourism contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment.

Local tourism provides authentic and enriching experiences that create lasting memories for travelers. It connects visitors with local communities, allowing for cultural exchange and deeper understanding of different ways of life. By staying in locally-owned accommodations, supporting local businesses, and engaging in community activities, travelers play a vital role in the economic well-being of local communities.

However, local tourism also faces challenges that need to be addressed, such as infrastructure limitations, balancing sustainability and commercialization, and ensuring the preservation of cultural integrity. Through collaboration, community engagement, and responsible travel practices, these challenges can be overcome.

By promoting local tourism, destinations can diversify their offerings, reduce the strain on overcrowded tourist areas, and create a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector. Travelers can contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage, support local economies, and gain unique insights into the local way of life.

In conclusion, local tourism is an invaluable and transformative way to travel. It allows us to step off the beaten path, connect with local communities, and make a positive impact on the destinations we visit. Through local tourism, we can foster cultural appreciation, economic growth, and environmental sustainability, ensuring a more vibrant and responsible future for the travel industry.

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Travel and Tourism Industry: Associations & Organizations

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Travel and Tourism

• World Tourism Organization "The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism."
• World Travel & Tourism Council Country-specific research and statistics, benchmarking and economic impact, operations and management research from the WTTC
• United States Office of Travel and Tourism Industries Tourism policy, statistics on inbound and outbound US travel, research including programs in international air travel, monthly statistics sets. Most of the publications are free.
• U.S. Travel Association The US professional association offers news, statistics, travel price indices, research on US and international travel

Airlines and Airports

• Department of Transportation - Airline and Airport Statistics Links to statistics sets available from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, including: airline financial, traffic and related data, and other per carrier fare, flight and passenger information.
• IATA Business Intelligence and Statistics The International Air Transport Association offers data on airline safety, traffic and passenger historical and forecast data. The industry association also offers selected data from the World Air Transport Statistics Yearbook.
• IATA Economics IATA's Economics data include monthly analyses on air passengers, freight and premium traffic, and periodic industry economic and business confidence reports on the commercial airline industry.
• Airlines for America - Data and statistics National industry organization provides additional data and information regarding the economic, social and security issues affecting the airline industry. The annual Industry Review and Outlook is a great overview of the US industry.

Best of the Rest

• American Hotel & Lodging Association Some free research in the reports section such as: 2016 Wage Watch Survey, U.S. Small Business Hotel Study, U.S. Conference of Mayors Tourism, Hotel and Lodging Survey.
• American Society of Travel Agents Limited free resources, best to make own guest account to see the free white papers and news.
• Cruise Lines International Association Frequent free "State of the Industry" reports, cruise trends, and travel agent outlooks.
• Hospitality.net List of agencies, trade associations and organizations that deal with the hospitality industry
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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2024

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2024 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Adventure Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Adventure Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten-path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Adventure Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 8-16 people and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Adventure Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Aventure Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Adventure Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Adventure Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,014 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $799 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $749.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 10 million dollars to over 160 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-35 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience foodie trip of a lifetime Intrepid Travel’s South Korea Real Food Adventure , which includes time in three cities and an overnight temple stay.

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination. For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina).

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $6,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to closer destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife & Nature: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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Why Supporting Local Tourism is More Important Than Ever Before

I have been avoiding writing about this topic explicitly, but it would be insincere to not address the pandemic in the room. I believe that as a travel writer that I have a responsibility to share not only the best travel tips and destinations but to inform my readers about current policies, trends, or world events that influence travel.

Let me be very clear, I am not advocating for international travel at this time. If anything I am advocating for the exact opposite.

It is best practice to receive your information about the current travel policies of your locale via official sources. If where you live is not allowing any non-essential movement then do please respect these restrictions. Also, be mindful to comply with keeping distance between non-household members and wearing the necessary protective equipment.

Table of Contents

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism Industry

It is no secret that the travel industry has been hit, and hit hard. I have seen friends and colleagues lose their businesses overnight. Many of my projects scheduled for this year are indefinitely postponed, and I lost my office space in the center of Ljubljana.

It isn’t just the small businesses that are suffering. Some of the biggest names in travel have been hit, too. Lonely Planet closed offices in Melbourne and London, Flybe went bankrupt in March, TripAdvisor laid off 25% of workers last week, and Airbnb laid off 25% of staff just this week and

According to the UNWTO (World Tourism Organization), 100% of destinations now have restrictions in place. Whether you realize it or not, that is significant. Tourism accounts for 10% of the global GDP . In the US, tourism generates $2.6 trillion in economic output and supports 15.8 million jobs. When faced with unemployment numbers over 30 million, you can’t help but assume half of those jobs also support tourism.

The UNWTO estimates that global international tourists’ arrivals will decrease 20-30% in 2020 for a potential loss of $30-50 billion (USD) . It is estimated that over 75 million jobs in tourism are at risk, the highest risk being in Asia. The numbers are not comforting. Jobs continue to be lost, travel remains to be suspended, and trips left untraveled.

Forecasting the Future of Travel

With grim data being broadcasted every day there are spaces where some of us are having discussions about the future of travel. There are discussions about what travel will look like in the immediate future through to a post-COVID-19 world.

Some experts are claiming that at the beginning people will choose road trips over plane travel. I can tell you that I have no plans to jump on a plane or train at the moment. When we begin to use these modes of transportation again there will be a shift to using disinfectants, limiting the number of passengers, or even be required to wear a mask.

Active and adventure-style travel will probably play a major role in the coming months as most activities are outside in nature. But on the other hand, doing activities like canyoning or wall climbing or anything that requires shared or rented equipment will need protocols for disinfecting and minimizing the risk of spreading diseases.

There are also discussions about intentional and sustainable travel . It makes sense because these conversations had already begun prior, but you see a global shift and desire for more immersive and meaningful experiences . People want their money to go to the right place and their time to be spent well.

In the meantime, some of us in the industry are attempting to adapt. You might have noticed a few hashtags popping up across social media such as # TravelTomorrow or # ThankstoTravel . As tourism boards are encouraging travelers “Don’t cancel, postpone!” or “Visit Later” in an attempt to encourage those travelers to keep their planned trips, just postponed to a safer date . I think this is a great option if you have the possibility. Some airlines and hotels are accommodating the situation, while others have not .

Travel bloggers are attempting to salvage their views shifting content from itineraries to virtual tourism . Some companies are offering virtual degustations or even at-home virtual travel experiences .

The truth? We have no idea what will happen.

Everything is speculation .

Before this pandemic, the travel industry was concerned with over-tourism . The industry was ready for a shift and it needed it. Travel was quickly becoming very unsustainable as dirt-cheap flights could transport you across Europe for a few days. Cities like Venice and Barcelona were becoming unlivable for locals. In Slovenia, some days locals in Bled were asked not to drive because there were too many tourists.

Read | How To Travel More Sustainably?

We know that travel is forever changed.

Now we are presented with a moment to do things better.

Is Local Tourism the Answer?

That depends on who you ask. Some countries completely rely on foreign visitors to sustain their livelihoods. In the Maldives, tourism accounts for 28% of their GDP, in Slovenia, it is around 10%, but in the US it is only around 2.4%. That is a huge difference between countries.

If we might not be able to travel internationally until 2021 or later then what is the solution?

Travel local. Support local tourism so that they will be there when the flights take off again. These are the people who will (for some) represent your home and culture. Supporting local travel – wherever you go – is sustainable travel . If you are passionate about locations abroad check to see if you can buy any products, food, or gift vouchers to continue to support those businesses.

So maybe I should be shouting “Support Local!” rather than “Travel Local!” but I feel like travel gets left out of the former’s rhetoric. It is hard to imagine local travel but I want to reiterate that I am referring to either traveling locally or supporting local businesses while you travel.

Supporting local businesses helps with something called leakage . This refers to the revenue that is lost once it goes to a foreign-owned business. This can be a hotel, restaurant, or even a tour company. If the company is foreign-based that directly influences where the revenue and taxes of that company go.

In some places, this is a very serious issue that is negatively affecting local populations who are being used to support these businesses.  I have good news though! There is something amazing that happens when you decide to support local businesses.

The Local Multiplier Effect

There is this concept in economics called the local multiplier effect. It refers to the additional economic benefits when money is spent locally . It has been documented that a higher percentage of that money will be recirculated in the community. This can be directly through hiring local employees or purchasing local equipment or indirectly if that money is spent at another local business. The third way that the money is recirculated is via employees when they spend their money locally.

A study compared chain stores versus independent ones and the results were shocking. A chain store will recirculate, on average, only 13.6% of revenue while the independent locally-owned stores average 48%.

Independent retailers are returning three times as much to the community compared to chain stores .

Aside from more money circulating locally, other studies show that local businesses contribute to greater income growth, more jobs , fewer inequalities , and less strain on public subsidies that large corporations often benefit from.

And it is not just an economic return that should be the goal of supporting local. A very important benefit is the deep connection that a locally-owned business will have with the local community. Research shows that a business can influence the well being of a community, contribute to the social capital, and increase population health (Blanchard et al 2011).

There is evidence that the local population is more likely to be civically involved and vote when their community is predominantly locally-owned small businesses.

Supporting locally-owned businesses improves the entire community’s wellbeing. If you take a look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for tourism you will notice that supporting local improves almost every goal on the list.

Tourism is a powerful tool for bringing people out of poverty and environmental conservation. Across the world, it is documented that tourism is bringing jobs, especially to rural areas, minorities, and women. It raises awareness for environmental and animal issues and fosters tolerance and understanding between different cultures.

How to Be a Tourist at Home

Being a tourist at home does not have to be dull or boring. I guarantee for most people there is at least one if not more activities that you never experienced in your area.

Last fall I visited my hometown and since I haven’t lived there in well over 10 years I didn’t exactly know a lot of people. Left to entertain myself, I went to Google and literally typed “things to do in Scranton” and “sightseeing in Scranton” just like when I visit a new place. I sat there in my hotel room in shock as I never did any of these things.

The next day I set off to Scranton to visit the Electric Trolly Museum and the Steamtown Historical Site. I even rode on an original electric trolly from 93 years ago on a route that ceased operation in 1954.

I had a great time there and learned about myself, my culture, and my ancestors. I was sharing my experiences via Instagram stories and was shocked at the number of people in the area who never even knew the museum was there!

Here is my call to action. Once it is safe to do so, plan one local outing being a tourist in your town. Just try it once. If you don’t know where to start about how to find local things to do or see, message me and I will personally give you a few ideas or direct you to someone who can.

Read | 8 Reasons Why You Should Travel Locally & Ideas for Your Next Adventure

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Try a local restaurant that makes traditional food
• Try a local restaurant that makes a cuisine you never tried
• Visit a different cafe than your usual
• Browse local hashtags and location tags on Instagram
• Follow travel bloggers focusing on your town, region, or country
• Volunteer with a local organization
• Take a local walking tour
• Take a tour through a local food producer
• Visit a local museum
• Visit a local artisan (glass blowing, lacemaking, ceramics)
• Visit your local historical society
• Plan a themed road trip (see local highlights, find the best donut, only places starting with S, etc)
• Buy a travel guide to your region/state/country and do activities from it
• Spend a weekend in a local hotel (romantic, girls weekend, etc)

Satisfy your wanderlust by exploring your region. You might be surprised at what you find. Shifting your mindset to recognize the importance and value of supporting local at home and abroad will help support a more sustainable world for everyone.

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Pin this article to Pinterest to reference later or to share with friends.

Thank you for reading!

Thank you as always for taking a moment to read Wandering Helene. Traveling and supporting local is a topic I am very passionate about and a philosophy that guides my adventures. I would love to hear your thought on the topic below and do please feel free to reach out if you need any advice to get started. -Helene

ADDITIONAL SOURCES:

These are sources that were not able to be linked above but were read in preparation for this article.

Blanchard, Troy C., Charles Tolbert, and Carson Mencken, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy, and Society. ( 2011).

Blanchard, Troy C., and Todd L. Matthews. The Configuration of Local Economic Power and Civic Participation in the Global Economy. Social Forces . (2006).

Blanchard, Troy C., Charles Tolbert, and Carson Mencken. The health and wealth of US counties: how the small business environment impacts alternative measures of development.  Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy, and Society . (2012).

Patel, Maine Amar and Garret Martin. Going Local Quantifying the Economic Impacts of Buying from Locally Owned Businesses in Portland, Maine. Maine Center for Economic Policy . (2011).

2 thoughts on “Why Supporting Local Tourism is More Important Than Ever Before”

Having everything shut down due to pandemic situation, I started exploring the unexplored sides near my hometown. To my surprise, I realized I had been missing gems in the glare of commercial tourism that I had been doing so far. Traveling local supports the local people and community.

The global tourism industry has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a significant drop in tourism activities as a result of travel restrictions, border closures, and virus fear. Travel agencies, lodging facilities, airlines, and other associated companies have suffered significant financial setbacks. Millions of jobs have been lost, particularly in nations where tourism is a major industry. Particularly hard hit are destinations that depend largely on foreign tourists. But innovation has also been spurred by the crisis; virtual tours and eco-friendly travel are becoming more popular. There is hope for recovery as long as vaccination campaigns continue, but the long-term effects are still unknown.

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The World’s Best Responsible Travel Organizations

By Discover Corps

November 4 is World Responsible Tourism Day , a day designated by World Travel Market and the United National World Tourism Organization in 2007 to encourage the travel industry to focus on responsible travel issues.

Their major objectives were to drive change by educating the industry and consumers alike on responsible travel behavior, exploring ways of making destinations more sustainable, debating key environmental issues impacted by tourism, and using WTM as a forum for encouraging the industry to drive the responsible tourism agenda.

To commemorate the 8th anniversary of this special day, we’ll examine 10 of the world’s top responsible travel organizations, including a bit about their history, mission and current projects:

The Center For Responsible Travel

CREST was founded in 2003 by Dr. Martha Honey, the author of Ecotourism & Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise? The research institute’s mission is “to promote responsible tourism policies and practices globally so that local communities may thrive and steward their cultural resources and biodiversity.”

Based in Washington, DC, the non-profit uses policy-oriented research to design, evaluate and improve the social and environmental commitments of responsible tourism, promoting more sustainable practices in the travel industry.

Their initiatives include coordinating research projects, creating publications, participating in and leading international workshops and conferences, leading responsible tourism course and seminars, and supporting social service and conservation projects through their charitable arm, Travelers Philanthropy.

Destination Stewardship Center

An offshoot of the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations, the DSC was founded by NatGeo editor Jonathan Tourtellot. It was Tourtellot who originally coined the term geotourism, for “Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”

Created “to help protect the world’s distinctive places by supporting wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship,” the NGO focuses on the ways in which the travel industry can either help or harm a given destination.

Their website offers a Destination Watch featuring ratings and news about intriguing places around the world; Stewardship Resources designed to help destinations improve; and resources for “Geotravelers” interested in traveling more responsibly and sustainably.

Ethical Traveler

A project of San Francisco’s Earth Island Institute, Ethical Traveler was founded by author/journalist Jeff Greenwald. The concept came to him after he wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post urging travelers to boycott travel to Burma to protest the military government that imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Travelers really are a huge untapped political action group,” Greenwald said in a 2014 interview. “What if there was some way to combine their voices in order to promote human rights and social change? A lot of countries rely on tourism dollars. especially in the developing world. We can and should exert pressure on those countries to do the right thing with the environment, social welfare, and how they use the resources we, as travelers, are bringing in.”

The organization is best-known for its annual report on the World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations, which weighs the merit of each country based on factors such as Environmental Protection, Social Welfare and Human Rights.

Global Ecotourism Network

The newest organization on this list, the Global Ecotourism Network was founded in early 2015 by a group of ecotourism professionals from all over the world.

The founders– all former members of the Advisory Committee to The International Ecotourism Society– established GEN to be a source for evaluating  ecotourism practices and disseminating authentic trends, applied research and experience-driven studies in the field.

Their ultimate mission is to unite the world’s myriad national and regional ecotourism associations, destinations, indigenous peoples, tour operators, professionals and academics to help build a stronger ecotourism industry, provide advocacy and thought leadership, and encourage innovation and authenticity.

Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Formerly known as the Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, this NGO started out in 2007 as a coalition launched by the Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Its original mission was to foster a better understanding of sustainable tourism practices and the adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles. The original partnership worked to craft a set of criteria organized around the four pillars of sustainable tourism: effective sustainability planning, maximizing social and economic benefits to the local community, reduction of negative impacts to cultural heritage, and reduction of negative impacts to the environment.

The GSTC’s Destination Criteria (GSTC-D) was released in November 2013, and now serve as the baseline standards for tourism destination management and as a framework for sustainability standards. The organization is focused on engaging everyone in the tourism industry– purchasers, suppliers and consumers alike– to adopt the criteria.

The International Ecotourism Society

Founded in 1990 by Megan Epler Wood, TIES was the world’s first NGO dedicated to ecotourism as a tool for conservation and sustainable development. The following year the Board of Directors defined ecotourism, which has since been updated to “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”

The organization works to unite communities, eco lodges , conservation initiatives and sustainable travel industry professionals, all engaged (and hopefully partnered) in creating an ecotourism infrastructure built on social, economic and environmental sustainability.

TIES encourages certain principles among everyone who sells, promotes or participates in ecotourism activities, including minimizing negative impacts, building environmental and cultural respect, providing direct economic benefits to fund conservation, constructing and operating low-impact facilities, recognizing the rights and beliefs of Indigenous People and working in partnership to empower them.

International Sustainable Tourism Initiative 

Part of Harvard University’s Center for Health and the Global Environment, the ISTI is run by Director Megan Epler Wood, who founded TIES and served as its CEO from 1990 to 2002. Now she manages this comprehensive program, which is designed to build stronger health and sustainability systems within the tourism industry.

Their primary goals are to aid in the development of sustainable economic and environmental solutions, encourage research regarding the impact tourism has on global health and the environment, help create tourism development strategies that address climate change and protect local ecosystems, and encourage the development of business solutions to manage waste and waste water and protect clean water and air.

Working in conjunction with various non-profit foundations, industry members and governmental organizations, ISTI’s current research focuses on Advanced Tools for Destination Management and Climate Change Preparation, Healthy & Sustainable Food Supply Chains for Tourism, and Policy Innovation in Tourism Development.

The Long Run Initiative

The flagship initiative of the Zeitz Foundation, the Long Run was launched in 2009 to pursue founder Jochen Zeitz’s mission to create and support sustainable, ecologically and socially responsible projects and destinations around the world.

At the core of their work is the belief that long-term sustainability can be best achieved via a holistic balance of the 4Cs- Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce– in privately managed areas. These four elements form the heart of their Global Ecosphere Retreats (GER) accreditation system, which helps identify institutions that manage natural areas of value by pursuing environmental goals such as biodiversity conservation or forest restoration.

Their current projects include natural wastewater treatment plants designed to improve the quality of river and aquifer water in Costa Rican communities, and a forest restoration initiative in Tahi, New Zealand that aims to eradicate invasive plant species and improve biodiversity in the forest, beach, wetland and estuarine habitat.

Sustainable Travel International

Inspired by Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring (often credited with launching the environmental movement) and the International Year of Ecotourism (convened by the UN in Quebec), Alabama-bred Brian T. Mullis founded STI in 2002. The former tour operator’s goal was simple: He wanted to make ecotourism mainstream.

To that end, STI developed a set of standards by which airlines, destinations, hotels and tour operators could assess their progress in terms of economic, environmental and social impact to ensure that tourism was helping to drive conservation and alleviate poverty. They later got into offering carbon offsets for major corporations, as well as traveler philanthropy funds in developing nations such as Ethiopia, Honduras and Mali.

Their current initiatives include establishing regional alliances to collaborate on responsible destination management; and the 10 Million Better Campaign, STI’s commitment to improve 10 million lives by 2025 as well as galvanize the broader tourism industry to make similar commitments and use their Impact Monitoring System to measure those improvements.

United Nations World Tourism Organization

Based in Madrid, the UNWTO is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism as a source of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability. Its origins date back to 1925, when the International Congress of Official Tourist Traffic Associations (ICOTT) was formed in the Netherlands.

The organization’s membership currently includes 156 countries, 6 territories and over 400 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. Together they work to generate knowledge of the global tourism market, promote responsible tourism policies, foster education and training, and provide sustainable development tools through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries.

The UNWTO is the oldest and largest responsible tourism organization in the world, playing an increasingly vital role in developing sustainable tourism as a means of generating economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for human rights, particularly with regards to developing nations with nascent tourism infrastructures.  –Bret Love

BIO: Bret Love is a journalist/editor with 21 years of print and online experience, whose clients have ranged from the Atlanta Journal Constitution to Rolling Stone. He is the co-founder of ecotourism website Green Global Travel and Green Travel Media .

6 responses to “ The World’s Best Responsible Travel Organizations ”

• Pingback: Viva Las Vegas | Ron Mader

Dear Bret Love: First of all thank you for putting together this list of organizations dedicated to promote responsible tourism. Before locating your article I saw a post referencing it to a group established to discuss GSTC topics. And on first sight the impression was that there is a ranking of the world’s top responsible travel NGOs. I guess the title encourages that thought and considering the post I saw, one or the other reader would use it in that context. Thus I was wondering and wanted to ask you if beyond the descriptive part of what the listed organizations do, is there any kind of ranking? Are there any criteria to arrive at or be part of the world’s top responsible travel NGOs? What type of information would a NGO dedicated to responsible travel have to provide to be considered for the listing; and last no least how is the ranking arrived at?

I hope you find a spare moment to share some more detail on the topic Best Thomas Meller

The “Best” of anything so un-quantifiable as responsible travel NGOs is inherently subjective. The post’s title is all about inciting readers to click and read the piece. In this case, I based my decidedly unscientific choices on a combination of longevity, notoriety and respect within the field. Thanks for reading!

“Travelers really are a huge untapped political action group,” Love that. I wish more people understood the power of their tourism dollars and thought about how their spending as travel consumers makes a real difference. Each time we spend, we essential vote for what we want in the world. From saying “No” to elephant rides just one afternoon to considering the where and how we travel for our entire trip, travel consumers have real power to force change – for the good or bad.

• Pingback: Why Responsible Travel Matters (and Why It Doesn’t)

Such an informative blog. Thanks for sharing this with us.

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Top Tourism and Hospitality Associations and Organisations

Listed in this post are the key tourism and hospitality associations in the world. Associations for tourism and hospitality are important because they help to promote the interests of the players in the catering, tourism and hospitality sectors.

We are all social beings. Aren’t we? We all love recognition. We are all longing for awards. If you are a hospitality professional, you would love to be in a social circle that could help you gain more brownie points for career advancement.

Plus, they help you gain recognition and in due course help you win some of the Best Hospitality Awards .

Individuals and businesses that opt to join professional associations can benefit from specialised learning opportunities and training programs.

Additionally, such tourism and hospitality organisations allow individuals and companies to enjoy networking and mentoring opportunities that they would otherwise not have access to.

Let’s list these key hospitality organisations and associations now.

World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)

This is probably the most popular and topmost tourism organisation in the world.

Also known as UNWTO, this hospitality and tourism organisation is a United Nations specialised organisation.

The aim of UNWTO is to ensure sustainable tourism across the globe along with ensuring fair practices, promotion of innovation and a lot more.

Ethics, skilling in the hospitality sector, market intelligence along with various other things are the key focus of this organisation.

The screengrab below from the official website lists the key focus areas of the World Tourism Organization.

This will give a better idea of what these tourism and hospitality organisations and associations aim to do.

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)

The GBTA is the world’s premier business travel association.

This is probably the biggest association for the hospitality and tourism industry that manages close to $350 Bn of global business travel expenditures across six continents.

Collectively, the association has more than 5,000 members from all over the world.

The association provides a network for managers and members to mingle in various events and professional development programs.

This Hospitality Association is headquartered in Washington D.C. but has regional offices across six continents.

This is a coveted group for maximum exposure in terms of the latest trends, the Latest Hospitality software, the Best Hospitality and Travel Certificates, Innovation, Training etc.

American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

Probably this is the most common name in terms of association for the hospitality industry.

Just perform a simple search on Google with the search term ‘tourism and hospitality organization’ and you would be flooded with a lot of names.

The top bar with previews would have a few prominent names and AHLA would be right there for all geographical searches.

The top search bar listing all top tourism and hospitality organisations would be something like the image below.

You can spot AHLA and some other top hospitality organisations there. Have a look!

AHLA is one of the most acclaimed hospitality and travel associations around the globe.

This is an extremely professional tourism and hospitality organisation and probably the most popular one.

Most of the Top Hospitality Management Schools provide certificates and diplomas from AHLA.

It covers almost everything related to the hospitality industry may it be awards, growth, issues, career, News etc. AHLA Membership helps hoteliers get into a widely recognised network of hospitality industry professionals.

 American Culinary Federation 

The ACF or Association of Culinary Federation was created in 1929 in New York by a group of three organisations for chefs.

Since it was created, the principles of the association have remained largely the same.

This Culinary association was created for the purpose of promoting the professional standing of American chefs and cooks internationally.

This has been done through promoting a range of education programs for culinarians with diverse skill levels.

This is a Hospitality association that ensures that Chef remains one of the Best Hospitality Jobs.

The Chef training programs through ACF Certifications ensure that Chefs stay ahead of the curve.

A lot of top Culinary Schools in the USA and around the globe along with a lot of the top Chefs across the world are associated with this organisation directly or indirectly.

Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA)

This hospitality organisation is based in Providence, USA.

It partners with a wide range of organisations to encourage and promote diversity in industries in food service, lodging, and hospitality.

The organisation conducts groundbreaking research, consults with organisations on how to win more customers and helps to shape the image of the hospitality industry.

British Hospitality Association (BHA)

Get ready for a grand Hospitality and Tourism Summit in London.

Lots of extravagant and popular hospitality events are organised by this popular hospitality organisation.

Yes, you might have heard about these summits and now you know that a lot of these are arranged by the BHA.

BHA looks after the hospitality industry of the UK but has its arms stretched to the global hospitality fraternity.

This tourism and hospitality association aligns itself with the global mission of creating more jobs within the various sectors of the Hospitality industry and overall growth of the industry.

Bonaire Hotel & Tourism Association (BONHATA)

BONHATA was created by members who are interested in unifying to achieve a shared objective; to provide a sustainable and high-quality tourism experience.

This was established in 1980 in Bonaire located in the Caribbean Sea.

This tourism and hospitality association liaises with the government to give a lobbying voice and guidance to members.

Airlines for America (About A4A)  

This is one of the most popular organisations in the tourism and hospitality industry to safeguard the interest of the aviation sector.

A4A is the only association in America that caters to the needs of principal US airlines.

The association has been instrumental in the support of the evolution of the airline industry.

In the more than 74 years that the association has been operational, it has seen members and their affiliates grow and succeed.

Medical Tourism Association

As medical tourism becomes more popular, this non-profit association works alongside healthcare workers.

These healthcare providers along with governments that cater to medical tourism, insurance companies, and employers in the healthcare sector are represented through this hospitality association.

The aim of this tourism association is to concentrate on supplying superior quality and transparent medical tourism care.

This makes it one of the most important hospitality industry organisations.

Hospitality Financial & Technology Professional (HFTP)

Technology trends in hospitality and robotics in hospitality populate the newspapers these days.

The Hospitality industry is coming up with Innovative Hotel concepts and regular innovation to define a new Future of the Hospitality industry.

This Tourism and Hospitality Association unites the financial and technology leaders of the hospitality industry.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA; this association is committed to finding solutions to industry issues and staying ahead in terms of innovation and creativity in the hospitality sector.

Hope you liked our quick list of top hospitality and tourism organisations.

There are a lot of other reputed travel and hospitality associations around the globe.

We will keep adding to our list of associations for tourism and hospitality executives in future updates. So, please stay around for the updates.

Let the leaders and managers of your hospitality organisation know about these associations to stay ahead on the knowledge and innovation curve.

Join one or multiple associations to give wings to your career.

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9 Awesome Volunteer Based Travel Tour Companies

By Seanna Pratt

Travel is an incredibly valuable experience in the way it shapes and enriches our lives. For some, just seeing a new place isn’t enough. For those who not only want to explore the world, but become immersed in local cultures and spend time giving back, we’ve rounded up nine travel tour companies that offer volunteer experiences.

1. Earthwatch Institute

Mission: “To engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.”

Right now Earthwatch offers more than 50 expeditions worldwide in four different specialized interest areas. You could explore active volcanoes in Nicaragua, or help excavate the Roman Empire in Britain. Or maybe snorkeling in the Bahamas to protect coral reefs? The possibilities are endless.

Mission: As a globally recognised responsible travel organisation, over the last 20 years i-to-i has sent over 50,000 volunteers to projects that assist in the development of underprivileged local communities.

Some trip options that might peak your interest include teaching English in Kenya, or marine conservation in Belize.

3. African Impact

Mission: African Impact believes in having volunteer projects and internship programs that make a long term, positive change to communities and conservation and they work with responsible partners across Africa and the world to achieve this.

Help conserve the legacy of lions through hands-on lion conservation in Zimbabwe, or get involved with sustainable development of communities in Madagascar.

4. Cross-Cultural Solutions

Mission: “Cross-Cultural Solutions, also known as CCS, is a nonprofit working to address critical global issues by providing meaningful volunteer service to communities abroad, and contributing responsibly to local economies.”

Maybe you’d like to assist with the care of infants and children in Morocco, or provide comfort and care for the elderly in Thailand.

5. Appalachian Mountain Club

Mission: Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of America’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

While this may not be an international travel option, you have a wide variety of beautiful parks, like Acadia National Park or the Virgin Islands National Park, to do some invigorating conservation hiking.

6. Global Vision International

Mission: It is Global Vision’s mission to build a global network of passionate people, to make a difference.

Here you can choose from over 150 projects running anywhere from a week to over a year. Some possibilities include teaching English to young Buddhist Monks in Laos, going on a wildlife expedition in Costa Rica, or improving children’s education in Nepal (and venture to the Mount Everest base camp).

7. Enkosini Eco Experience

Mission: Enkosini Eco’s goal is to create a self-sustaining model of responsible conservation that preserves Africa’s natural heritage (habitat and wildlife); enhances the South African economy through overseas capital infusion, local and international eco-tourism, and job creation; and promotes education and awareness of conservation issues.

Get a unique hands-on experience with baboons in the C.A.R.E Baboon Sanctuary, or care for various wildlife at the Noah’s Ark Wildlife Centre.

8. International Student Volunteers

Mission: “ISV’s mission is to support sustainable development initiatives around the world through life-changing volunteer and responsible adventure travel programs designed to positively change our world and to educate, inspire, and result in more active global citizens.

Build community infrastructure in rural areas of the Dominican Republic or help launch environmental management initiatives in New Zealand.

Mission: “GoEco partners with organizations around the world which are dedicated to providing humanitarian aid in local communities and wildlife rehabilitation and ecological conservation within local parks and reserves.  GoEco sends like-minded and philanthropic volunteers to contribute to the aims of these projects and gain meaningful experiences that enrich their lives much more than typical commercial travel.”

Help build an eco village in the Arava Desert of Israel, or do work in sea turtle conservation on the Mediterranean off the cost of Greece.

Seanna Pratt, Curator

Seanna Pratt is currently a Biology student at the State University of New York at Oneonta. Despite the scientific nature of her degree, writing is one of her true passions in life. She is a staff writer at Germ, an online magazine geared towards women of all ages, and is co-editor in chief of a nutrition and fitness webpage at her college. Her plans for after college have changed more times than she can count, but currently she hopes to pursue a graduate degree in journalism to really delve into the depths of this art form. Apart from writing, you will often find her binge watching her latest Netflix obsession, or spending way too much time at coffee shops. She hopes to someday make travel a part of her career and experience all the world has to offer.

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Cleveland tourism continued to boom in 2023

C leveland hosted 29% more conventions and meetings in 2023 than it did in 2022, continuing an upward trend in business and personal travel since the pandemic gutted the hospitality industry in 2020.

Driving the news: Destination Cleveland , the local convention and visitor bureau, held its annual meeting Tuesday to tout its 2023 accomplishments and tease a summer of marquee events.

Why it matters: The organization's mission under president and CEO David Gilbert has focused not only on the visitor experience, but the long-term perception of the city by local residents.

• The work has borne fruit. Gilbert said that as of 2022, roughly 80% of locals would recommend Cleveland as a place to visit, up from 34% in 2012.

By the numbers: Downtown Cleveland saw a 9.2% increase in visitor activity between March 2023 and February 2024, per University of Toronto data.

• Based on Destination Cleveland surveys, 77% of visitors in 2023 were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their overall Cleveland experience.

Yes, but: Only 40% of visitors agreed that the visitor experience was inclusive, well below a modest 60% goal.

Between the lines: Ongoing renovations at Huntington Convention Center , with a ribbon cutting planned in July, have facilitated the booking of future conferences that Gilbert said wouldn't have been possible but for the expanded meeting space.

The latest: Destination Cleveland just inked a contract with the National Urban League to host its 2025 convention of nearly 4,000 attendees in Cleveland.

What's next: Cleveland has a lively summer ahead, with major concerts including the Rolling Stones this weekend; international competitions like the Pan-American Masters Games in July; WWE's SummerSlam in August; and a slew of big conventions.

What we're watching: The last of six neighborhood murals in the "Murals Across the City" project will be installed in Lee-Harvard in the coming weeks, part of Destination Cleveland's efforts to enhance the visitor experience while showing off community assets.

Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Cleveland.

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Mexico Travel Advisory

Travel advisory august 22, 2023, mexico - see state summaries.

Reissued after periodic review with general security updates, and the removal of obsolete COVID-19 page links.

Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.

U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Mexico.

Do Not Travel To:

• Colima state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Guerrero state  due to  crime .
• Michoacan state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Sinaloa state due to  crime  and  kidnapping
• Tamaulipas state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping.
• Zacatecas  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Reconsider Travel To:

• Baja California  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Chihuahua state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Durango state  due to  crime .
• Guanajuato state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Jalisco state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Morelos state  due to  crime .
• Sonora state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

• Aguascalientes  state due to  crime .
• Baja California Sur state  due to  crime .
• Chiapas state  due to  crime .
• Coahuila state  due to  crime .
• Hidalgo state  due to  crime .
• Mexico City  due to  crime .
• Mexico State  due to  crime .
• Nayarit state  due to  crime.
• Nuevo Leon  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Oaxaca state  due to  crime .
• Puebla state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Queretaro state  due to  crime .
• Quintana Roo state  due to  crime .
• San Luis Potosi state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Tabasco state  due to  crime .
• Tlaxcala state due to  crime .
• Veracruz state  due to  crime .

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

• Campeche state
• Yucatan state

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

If you decide to travel to Mexico:

• Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Mexico.
• Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime  advisories  and  alerts , which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your travel. 

Aguascalientes state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes state.

Baja California state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

• Mexicali Valley:  U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the heightened possibility of violence between rival cartel factions.  The boundaries of the restricted area are: to the east, the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders; to the south, from La Ventana (on Highway 5) due east to the Colorado River; to the west, Highway 5; and to the north, Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas/Highway 92/Highway 1 to Carretera Aeropuerto, from the intersection of Highway 1 and Carretera Aeropuerto due north to the Baja California/California border, and from that point eastward along the Baja California/California border.
• Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours.  Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours.

There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. These include high-traffic tourism areas of border and coastal communities, such as  Tijuana ,  Ensenada , and  Rosarito .

Baja California Sur state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state.

Campeche state – Exercise Normal Precautions

Exercise normal precautions.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.

Chiapas state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Chiapas state.

Chihuahua state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Battles for territory between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employee travel is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Ciudad Juarez:  U.S. government employees may travel to the area of Ciudad Juarez bounded to the east by Bulevar Independencia; to the south by De los Montes Urales/Avenida Manuel J Clouthier/Carretera de Juárez; to the west by Via Juan Gabriel/Avenida de los Insurgentes/Calle Miguel Ahumada/Francisco Javier Mina/Melchor Ocampo; and to the north by the U.S.-Mexico border.  Direct travel to the Ciudad Juarez airport (officially called the Abraham González International Airport) and the factories located along Bulevar Independencia and Las Torres is permitted.  Travel to San Jerónimo is permitted only through the United States via the Santa Teresa U.S. Port of Entry; travel via Anapra is prohibited.

U.S. government employees may only travel from Ciudad Juarez to the city of Chihuahua during daylight hours via Federal Highway 45, with stops permitted only at the Guardia Nacional División Caminos station, the Umbral del Milenio overlook area, the border inspection station at KM 35, and the shops and restaurants on Federal Highway 45 in the city of Ahumada.

• U.S. government employees may travel between Ciudad Juarez and Ascension via Highway 2.
• Nuevo Casas Grandes Area (including Nuevo Casas Grandes, Casas Grandes, Mata Ortiz, Colonia Juárez, Colonia LeBaron, Paquimé and San Buenaventura):  U.S. government employees may travel to the Nuevo Casas Grandes area during daylight hours via Mexico Federal Highway 2, and subsequently Federal Highway 10, to Nuevo Casas Grandes.  Employees are permitted to stay overnight in the cities of Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes only.
• City of Chihuahua:  U.S. government employees may travel at any time to the area of the city of Chihuahua bounded to the north by Avenida Transformación; to the east by Avenida Tecnológico/Manuel Gómez Morín/Highway 16/Blvd.José Fuentes Mares; to the west by the city boundary; and to the south by Periférico Francisco R. Almada.
• U.S. government employees may travel on Highways 45, 16, and 45D through the city of Chihuahua and to the Chihuahua airport (officially called the General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport). 
• U.S. government employees may travel to Santa Eulalia to the east of the city of Chihuahua, as well as to Juan Aldama via Highway 16 to the northeast.
• U.S. government employees may travel south of the city of Chihuahua on Highway 45 to the southern boundary of Parral, including each town directly connected to Highway 45, including Lázaro Cárdenas, Pedro Meoqui, Santa Cruz de Rosales, Delicias, Camargo, Ciudad Jiménez, and Parral itself.
• U.S. government employees may only travel on official business from the city of Chihuahua on Highway 16 to Ciudad Cuauhtémoc bounded by Highway 21 to the north and east, Highway 5 to the west, and Bulevar Jorge Castillo Cabrera to the south. 
• Ojinaga:  U.S. government employees must travel to Ojinaga via U.S. Highway 67 and enter through the U.S. Port of Entry in Presidio, Texas.
• Palomas:  U.S. government employees may travel to Palomas via U.S. highways through the U.S. Port of Entry in Columbus, New Mexico, or via Highway 2 in Mexico.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Chihuahua, including  Copper Canyon .

Coahuila state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. 

U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities : U.S. government employees may not travel to these municipalities.
• Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña:  U.S. government employees must travel directly from the United States and observe a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m. in both cities.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Coahuila state.

Colima state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.  

Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.  

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with noted restrictions: 

• Manzanillo:   U.S. government employee travel is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo.  
• Employees traveling to Manzanillo from Guadalajara must use Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours.  

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state. 

Durango state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime.

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state.

• West and south of Federal Highway 45:  U.S. government employees may not travel to this region of Durango state.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Durango state.

Guanajuato state – Reconsider Travel

Gang violence, often associated with the theft of petroleum and natural gas from the state oil company and other suppliers, occurs in Guanajuato, primarily in the south and central areas of the state.  Of particular concern is the high number of murders in the southern region of the state associated with cartel-related violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Areas south of Federal Highway 45D:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area south of and including Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Guanajuato state, which includes tourist areas in:  San Miguel de Allende ,  Guanajuato City , and  surrounding areas.

Guerrero state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime.

Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following area with the noted restrictions:

• Taxco:  U.S. government employees must use Federal Highway 95D, which passes through Cuernavaca, Morelos, and stay within downtown tourist areas of Taxco. Employees may visit Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park during the day with a licensed tour operator.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in  Acapulco ,  Zihuatanejo , and  Ixtapa .

Hidalgo state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.

Jalisco state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Jalisco-Michoacan border and Federal Highway 110:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area between Federal Highway 110 and the Jalisco-Michoacan border, nor travel on Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan, Jalisco, and the Michoacan border.
• Federal Highway 80:  U.S. government employees may not travel on Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Jalisco state which includes tourist areas in:  Guadalajara Metropolitan Area ,  Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit) ,  Chapala , and  Ajijic .

Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. Petty crime occurs frequently in both tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.

Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.

Michoacan state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Federal Highway 15D:   U.S. government employees may travel on Federal Highway 15D to transit the state between Mexico City and Guadalajara.
• Morelia:  U.S. government employees may travel by air and by land using Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D.
• Lazaro Cardenas:  U.S. government employees must travel by air only and limit activities to the city center or port areas.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Michoacan, including the portions of the  Monarch Butterfly Reserve  located in Michoacan.

Morelos state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.

Nayarit state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Nayarit state.

Nuevo Leon state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.

Oaxaca state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state.

U.S. travelers are reminded that U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Isthmus region:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area of Oaxaca bounded by Federal Highway 185D to the west, Federal Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca-Chiapas border to the east.  This includes the cities of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa.  
• Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa:  U.S. government employees may not use Federal Highway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees to other parts of Oaxaca state, which include tourist areas in:  Oaxaca City ,  Monte Alban ,  Puerto Escondido,  and  Huatulco .

Puebla state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.

Queretaro state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.

Quintana Roo state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations.  Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. 

While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders.  Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. However, personnel are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.

San Luis Potosi state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.  U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.

Sinaloa state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based in and operating in Sinaloa. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Mazatlan:  U.S. government employees may travel to Mazatlan by air or sea only, are limited to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport and sea terminal.
• Los Mochis and Topolobampo:  U.S. government employees may travel to Los Mochis and Topolobampo by air or sea only, are restricted to the city and the port, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Sinaloa state.

Sonora state – Reconsider Travel

Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora.  Security incidents may occur in any area of Sonora.

• Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales:  U.S. government employees may travel between the U.S. Ports of Entry in Nogales and Hermosillo during daylight hours via Federal Highway 15 only. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures. Travelers should exercise caution and avoid unnecessary stops as security incidents, including sporadic, armed carjackings, and shootings have been reported along this highway during daylight hours. Travelers should have a full tank of gas and inform friends or family members of their planned travel.
• Nogales:  U.S. government employees may not travel in the triangular area north of Avenida Tecnologico, west of Bulevar Luis Donaldo Colosio (Periferico), nor east of Federal Highway 15D (Corredor Fiscal). U.S. government employees also may not travel in the residential and business areas to east of the railroad tracks along Plutarco Elias Calle (HWY 15) and Calle Ruiz Cortino, including the business area around the Morley pedestrian gate port-of-entry. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Nogales due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.  
• Puerto Peñasco:  U.S. government employees may travel between Puerto Peñasco and the Lukeville-Sonoyta U.S. Port of Entry during daylight hours via Federal Highway 8 only. They may not travel on any other route to Puerto Peñasco. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Puerto Peñasco. due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Triangular region near Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry:  U.S. government employees may not travel into or through the triangular region west of the Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry, east of Sonoyta, and north of Altar municipality.
• San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta : U.S. government employees may travel directly from the nearest U.S. Port of Entry to San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea (via Douglas Port of Entry), and Agua Prieta, but may not go beyond the city limits. Travel is limited to daylight hours only. Travel between Nogales and Cananea via Imuris is not permitted. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these cities due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Eastern and southern Sonora (including San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos):  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora east of Federal Highway 17, the road between Moctezuma and Sahuaripa, and State Highway 20 between Sahuaripa and the intersection with Federal Highway 16. U.S. government employees may travel to San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos; travel to Alamos is only permitted by air and within city limits.  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora south of Federal Highway 16 and east of Federal Highway 15 (south of Hermosillo), as well as all points south of Guaymas, including Empalme, Guaymas, Obregon, and Navojoa.  U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these areas due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

U.S. government employees may travel to other parts of Sonora state in compliance with the above restrictions, including tourist areas in: Hermosillo , Bahia de Kino , and Puerto Penasco .

Tabasco state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.

Tamaulipas state – Do Not Travel

Organized crime activity – including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault – is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments.

Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo.  In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state.

U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo:  U.S. government employees may only travel within a limited radius around and between the U.S. Consulates in Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros, their homes, the respective U.S. Ports of Entry, and limited downtown sites, subject to an overnight curfew.
• Overland travel in Tamaulipas:  U.S. government employees may not travel between cities in Tamaulipas using interior Mexican highways. Travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey is limited to Federal Highway 85D during daylight hours with prior authorization.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state.

Tlaxcala state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.

Veracruz state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.

Yucatan state – Exercise Normal Precautions

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in:  Chichen Itza ,  Merida ,  Uxmal , and  Valladolid .

Zacatecas state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread in Zacatecas state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Zacatecas City : U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, and employees may not travel overland to Zacatecas City.
• U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Zacatecas state.

Travel Advisory Levels

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