2023 Impact Report: discover how your travels make a difference

At TravelLocal, we’ve always believed that travel is a force for good. It’s about more than just exploring new destinations; it’s about creating positive exchanges between people, supporting local communities, and preserving natural ecosystems. We’re thrilled to announce the release of our very first Impact Report, detailing the strides we’ve made in sustainable and ethical travel over the past year. The 2023 TravelLocal Impact Report is a testament to our commitment to making travel better for everyone involved—travellers, local communities, and the planet. We invite you to download and read the full report to see the impact of your travels and learn how you can continue to support responsible tourism.

Key highlights from the TravelLocal Impact Report

Economic impact

In the past year, we’ve worked with 238 local travel companies and over 600 local travel experts across 90+ destinations. This collaboration has supported the livelihoods of thousands, ensuring that more money stays within the local economies, enhancing standards of living and improving services such as health and education.

B Corp certification

In March 2024, we achieved B Corp certification with a score of 91.5, surpassing the travel industry average. This certification is a significant milestone, reflecting our dedication to social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Fund For Good

Through our Fund For Good, we distributed 1% of our revenue to four global charities—the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability, Wildlife Alliance, Just a Drop, and Tree Aid. These organisations work in areas aligned with our ethical pillars: People & Society, Environmental Protection, Business As A Force For Good, and Animal Protection.

• Foundation for Amazon Sustainability: “The support provided by TravelLocal has helped to bring healthcare to remote regions of the Amazon. In two months, 24 psychological calls were made, covering seven communities. We are very happy with the results of this partnership and hope it will continue.” – Mickela Souza, Manager of the Forest Health Programme.
• Wildlife Alliance: “TravelLocal’s support helps us care for the wild animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. This life-saving support ensures these animals receive the care they need.” – Nick Marx, Wildlife Alliance.
• Just a Drop: “TravelLocal’s support has enabled us to start our safe water programme in Tanzania and our menstrual hygiene programme in Cambodia. This vital work is helping girls stay in school and get a better, dignified education.” – Brendan Hanlon, Just a Drop.
• Tree Aid: “TravelLocal’s donations have grown the equivalent of 1,475 trees across the dry lands of Africa. These trees provide communities with nutritious food, fertile land, income, and resilience against climate change.” – Beth Healy, Tree Aid.

Carbon emissions and decarbonisation

We measured our carbon emissions for the first time, establishing a baseline from which to decarbonise. Our per capita emissions are relatively low, but we’re committed to reducing them further. We’re also proud to be founder signatories of the Glasgow Declaration, aiming to cut our emissions by 50% by 2030.

Supporting local travel partners

Our local travel experts are the hidden stars of the travel industry. By booking with them, you’re not only gaining access to unparalleled local knowledge but also actively contributing to the economic and social fabric of the destinations you visit. We’re working on a Local Travel Partner Charter to enhance sustainability standards and provide more transparency.

Quotes from our local experts

“When travellers choose to book with us, they’re not just gaining access to unparalleled local knowledge; they’re actively contributing to the growth and sustainability of Greece’s economy.” – Antonis Alexandrou, Founder & CEO at our local travel partner in Greece.

“We believe it’s important to support and help local businesses and places. Ensuring higher economic leakage into the destination is key to providing the best local knowledge and benefiting the local economy.” – Annelies Hammerlinck, Executive Director at our local travel partner in Peru.

“We have been very fortunate to be working with TravelLocal and bringing in foreign currency for the country, which is essential for providing basic facilities to its citizens.” – Jigme Dorji, Founder & CEO at our local travel partner in Bhutan.

Looking ahead

We have come a long way, but there is still much to do. Our future goals include achieving Travelife Certified status by 2025, expanding our charitable support, and continuing to measure and improve our impact.

Get involved

We depend on your support to continue making a positive impact. Here’s how you can help:

• Travel with our local travel partners: this is the most significant way you can contribute.
• Give feedback: let us know about your travel experiences and suggestions for improvement.
• Share ideas: if you’ve seen a great idea that could enhance our impact, we’d love to hear it.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Download the TravelLocal Impact Report now and discover how your travels are making a difference. Together, we can reimagine travel for a better world.

From all of us at TravelLocal and our local travel partners, thank you for your continued support.