Travel has the power to transform. It can raise awareness, connect communities and inspire activism, especially through charitable initiatives and wilderness preservation. And with the rise of ethical travel and forward-thinking ecotourism, travel’s transformative power is only set to increase. But how beneficial travel really is, depends in large part on the traveller and the choices he or she makes. Steps as simple as carrying reusable bags and cups, choosing carbon-neutral methods of transport and ensuring the places you visit are committed to sustainable and ethical practice can all help make sure your trips benefit the environment and local communities.

The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation created as a joint initiative between the TTC family of brands, is committed to improving travel. Through local partnerships with like-minded communities around the globe and the implementation of considered sustainability goals across all 42 of The Travel Corporation’s family-owned brands, it is leading the charge against apathetic, exploitative or destructive tourism.

A wave of small changes

Now, the TreadRight Foundation is looking towards individual traveller education. As Shannon Guihan, Chief TreadRight & Sustainability Officer, explains, 'Small behavioural changes, when employed en masse, are how we make an impact.' This logic has increasingly dominated the wider sustainability conversation, especially in areas such as plant-based cooking and the use of recyclables over plastic. However, it has rarely been applied to the arena of travel.