Searching for authentic holiday ideas
One of the travel industry’s largest exhibitions, World Travel Market, is taking place in London this week. But to find authentic holiday ideas, it was the Fringe RT Network event last night that was the place to be.
The work being done by this global community of grass roots, responsible tourism organisations and individuals is truly inspiring. Their offerings give the traveller or holidaymaker more choices when it comes to searching for authentic holiday ideas, ideas that have a positive impact on the community and environment.
Here are just some of the offerings highlighted by Your Travel Planner:
Based on the idea of ‘Your Friend at the Other End’, Tripbod is a global network of trusted local travel advisors and planners. They can help provide local insight and create personal and unique ideas for your trip before you go.
This site is a great way to search and make an online booking for destinations, accommodation, tours and activities from local providers and operators, mainly from the developing world.
A unique feature of the WHL network is that each destination booking site is owned and operated by locals. You deal directly with local people in the destination you are travelling to and they say that “unlike other global booking sites, the people you book with will be there when you get there.”
The Blue Yonder provides responsible travel experiences in India. It was originally set up to raise funds for the Nila Foundation, to revive and regenerate one of the longest and sadly neglected rivers in South India called Nila (Bharatapuzha).
socialtours is a specialist tour and trekking company based in Kathmandu, with a difference. Their tours are run with tourism for the future in mind, so that local communities benefit and risks of environmental damage and the erosion of culture are minimised.
If you would like help planning a more authentic holiday, please contact me at Go2 Holiday Research. As a member of the Fringe RT Network, I can help put you in contact with other members who provide responsible, sustainable or eco-friendly travel.
