Features & Advice tips

“Once upon a time, the planets and the fates and all the stars aligned..." — Taylor Swift

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It’s that time of year again.

The holidays are here and so are the travel savings.

The travel and tourism industry has been busy the past few years acknowledging and coming to terms with the worsening effects of climate change and the environmental destruction that’s being laid bare the world over. From dramatic biodiversity loss to the scourge of plastic pollution, the planet is grappling with a long list of daunting challenges.Addressing these issues, as more than a few industry conversations have made clear, will take participation at every level—from the destination managers to the corporate offices of travel brands down to suppliers, transportation companies, and travel agents.But there’s yet another key player in the industry who also has a vital role to play in advancing sustainable travel and the proactive protection of the planet, as well. And these individuals are on the front lines of travel every day: Tour guides. Often overlooked in conversations surrounding the industry-wide transformation that needs to take place, tour guides are an essential part of realizing a better future.“Tour guides, through their direct interactions with tourists, have the power to influence behaviors and shape the tourism experience,” says Brian Raffio, senior adventure travel consultant for the travel company Climbing Kilimanjaro. “By embracing their role as ambassadors and change-makers, they can contribute significantly to the shift towards a more sustainable and responsible tourism industry.”Indeed, a tour guide’s actions, practices, and interactions with tourists can significantly impact the environmental, social, and economic well-being of a destination and ultimately the planet and its people.The good news is that many travel stakeholders have already been thinking about the increasingly important role that tour guides play. Including the tour guides themselves.TravelPulse talked with individuals from every level of travel and tourism about the role of tour guides as the industry attempts to shift toward more sustainable business models that will better protect nature, wildlife, and local communities for generations to come. Here are outtakes from those conversations and tips from these same individuals about how tour guides can actively advance sustainability and environmental stewardship on a daily basis.

The common perception of Bali as a tropical paradise for tourists belies the silent suffering of many of its wildlife inhabitants, according to a damning new investigation conducted by World Animal Protection.

There are mixed emotions about travel in a post-pandemic world, a new survey has found.

WHY IT RATES: The U.S. Travel Association is honoring some of the most influential people in the industry.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.

The strong post-pandemic air travel boom continued across the globe this September, according to research conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), published November 9.

Demand and confidence in travel continue to reach pre-pandemic levels, and the industry took another significant step forward on Thursday night with the 2023 edition of the Travvy Awards.

Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart was named the 2023 Executive of the Year at this year’s Travvy Awards.

Daylight savings time has ended, marking the inescapable approach of the winter months. Some look forward to snowy days and a chill in the air, while others start searching for a way to wait them out in sunnier climes. 

Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions provided an update on the two tour brands this fall, showcasing some of their most popular trips and providing an insight into their new offerings. 

A new trends report by Hilton predicts that the main driver for travelers of all generations to enjoy leisure trips in 2024 will be a desire to rest and relax. 

Now that the peak summer travel period is over, we normally assume that people will slow down in terms vacation-going and trip-taking. While the autumn and winter months may typically be considered the “off-season”, this year is breaking the mould, according to new research from Forbes Advisor, which examined Americans’ travel plans between now and the end of 2023.

Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the close of the busy summer travel season, but, with consumers’ travel intent continuing to run remarkably high this year, who’s to say that this approaching autumn won’t be just as epic?