Sustainability is no longer a “niche” concept – it is a necessity for the future of all travel. However, as more businesses and travelers embrace the idea, the definition of “sustainable tourism” has become muddled. So, what does sustainable travel really mean, and how can the travel and tourism industry work together to make it the norm—not the exception? 

A sustainable and impactful travel industry isn't just the responsibility of a select few, but a shared mission across all roles, from executives to tour guides. Every decision shapes the future of travel, influencing local communities, cultural heritage, and the environment. This blog explores how professionals across the travel industry can contribute to meaningful travel.

Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel FAM Tour with Hawai’i held on the island of Maui, brought together 20 travel professionals for an unforgettable and deeply impactful experience. Participants left inspired and excited to encourage their clients to explore and support smaller, community-focused organizations. By promoting these unique and meaningful experiences, the attending advisors will enrich their clients' future trips to Hawai’i while bringing lasting benefits to the island’s communities.

Discover five actionable ways to travel responsibly in 2025, from supporting local communities to building meaningful cultural connections. Learn how your travel choices can protect the planet, uplift communities, and create authentic, impactful experiences.

During our recent North American Meaningful Travel Summit in Eugene, Oregon, I had the honor of meeting Randy and Edith Woodley, co-founders of the Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice. This incredible organization, a valued partner featured on Tourism Cares’ Meaningful Travel Map, is dedicated to preserving Indigenous knowledge and sustainable ways of living.

Climate change poses a significant challenge to the travel industry, with extreme weather, rising temperatures, and shifting patterns disrupting travel and harming communities worldwide. While the industry is taking steps to reduce emissions, climate justice highlights the unequal impacts of climate change on marginalized communities, who often suffer the most despite contributing the least.

Changing the way travel and tourism foster positive impact for communities requires patience to see these efforts come to fruition. Hear from Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara as he reflects on examples of positive impact in Panama that were both immediate and in need of nurturing, illustrating the diverse and ongoing nature of our work.

For tourism to thrive in destinations, communities in those destinations must also thrive. To achieve this, the industry needs to listen and engage with locals, and empower them with opportunities to tell their own stories, authentically share their own cultures, and fully benefit from their tourism experiences. Learn how community-based tourism enhances travel for visitors while empowering communities to have full ownership and control of their tourism offerings.

Discover how Exodus Adventure Travels is leading the way in Nature Positive Tourism. Learn how tour operators can align with global biodiversity frameworks to give back to nature and minimize environmental impact. Join us in protecting our planet while creating unforgettable travel experiences.

As we step into the new year, many travelers will begin to make vacation plans for the coming year. As companies set their 2024 goals, we must align our business objectives with sustainability goals. To help you plan your 2024 sustainability goals effectively, here are four key tips to guide you through the process.

Kickstart your destination stewardship journey with these ten important steps.