Local economic benefit
Prioritize locally owned services so communities retain more of the value created by travel.
Travel with respect for people, culture, and place.
Social responsibility means treating host communities as partners with agency—not as scenery—and making choices that support dignity, livelihoods, and cultural continuity.
Responsibility is built into the itinerary.
Good intentions are not enough. The partners we choose, the context we provide, and the expectations we set for travelers all shape a journey’s impact.
Cultural dignity
Avoid turning living cultures into commodities and let hosts define how their stories are shared.
Child protection
Reject exploitative tourism and support safeguards against trafficking and abuse.
Environmental justice
Recognize that pollution, climate impacts, and resource pressure are not distributed equally.
What we ask of travelers.
- 01
Arrive prepared
Learn essential history, cultural context, and expectations before departure.
- 02
Follow local leadership
Listen first, ask permission, and respect boundaries around stories, images, and sacred places.
- 03
Spend with purpose
Choose local businesses and understand how purchasing decisions affect the host economy.
- 04
Carry it forward
Let the learning inform your choices, advocacy, and relationships after the journey ends.
Standards and resources.
Read our general travel tipsThe Code
Tourism child-protection standards and tools.
Center for Responsible Travel
Research and practical guidance for responsible tourism.
Ethical Traveler
Travel guidance grounded in human rights and environmental protection.
Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Global criteria for sustainable travel and tourism.
Let’s design travel that creates lasting value.
Tell us what your group cares about, and we’ll shape a journey around your goals, values, and community relationships.