Responsible Travel

The term responsible tourism was first defined in Cape Town in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. It was described as making better places for people to live in, and better places for people to visit – in that order.

We particularly like the word responsible because it says exactly what it means: someone has to take responsibility. Whether that’s a government, a business, a tourism provider or a traveller, we believe this is the best way to make sure positive change actually happens.

As a company, we only work with local suppliers in all the destinations we feature. Many of these small businesses are family-owned and managed, and their contribution to the local economy is hugely important. Tourism provides an income for many people living in remote areas and creates exciting career opportunities for younger generations, helping to reduce the drift towards bigger towns and cities. That’s a good thing in our book.

We’re proud to work with local companies and individuals who are not only outstanding in their field, but also genuinely responsible. They deliver a high standard of service and customer experience, and they are, without question, the backbone of our business.

We’re also lucky to work in destinations that are far ahead of the UK when it comes to protecting the environment. In the Nordic countries, for example, environmental awareness runs deep. Green policies are built into everyday life, so being environmentally friendly isn’t an ethical choice – it’s simply the way things are. 

We don’t pretend to be an eco-company. Our holidays often involve the need for flights and sometimes car hire, and like any business, we want to grow. But we are fully committed to supporting local communities and protecting the environment wherever possible.

At Where The Wild Is, we’re a team of nature-loving, animal-adoring, culture-seeking, environmentally aware outdoor enthusiasts. We do our best to live and work responsibly – we practise, but we don’t preach.