” The Concerned Travel program is an expansion of EF Education First’s continued commitment to work as a more effectively thinking business”, said Heather Leisman, President, EF Ultimate Break. We’re changing our excursions to offer sustainable visit choices that preserve sights, settings, and locations for future generations by limiting our carbon footprint where feasible, adhering to rigid animal welfare guidelines, and supporting local businesses and communities.
One of three visit operators for .efworldjourneys.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>EF World Journeys, an affiliate of .ef.edu/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>EF Education First, is EF Ultimate Break.
The general strategy of EF Education First, which emphasizes sustainability, supports the Concerned Travel initiative in terms of itinerary design.
Protecting the environment: EF Ultimate Break may benefit from EF Education First’s authority in coal assessment, working with myclimate to observe our emissions, and strategizing ways to reduce our carbon footprint for years to come. Myclimate’s methods follow the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol, calculating every relevant emission. Bottom line: a business ca n’t fix what it does n’t measure, and this is just another step we’re taking to be more mindful of our carbon impact. Additionally, we invest in climate protection projects through the EF Forest Initiative. Between 2021 and 2023, our collaboration with the Eden Reforestation Projects in Kenya, Madagascar, and Mozambique resulted in the planting of nine million mangrove trees. WeForest and the climate change nonprofit WeForest have partnered to develop a more comprehensive restoration strategy that emphasizes protecting wildlife, supporting local communities, and creating and conserving forests worldwide. Over the next five years, we aim to regenerate 1, 500 hectares in the Mahale mountains, foster the growth of over three million native trees, educate 1, 500 farmers, protect the eastern chimpanzee populations, and support local communities through environmental education initiatives and employment opportunities.
Promoting animal welfare: As part of the EF Animal Welfare Program, EF Ultimate Break adheres to itinerary design guidelines to make sure that visitors never have physical contact with endangered species, captive, or wild animals. No animal-related Instagram selfies. No swimming with captive dolphins. No excursions that involve unnatural interactions with wild animals ( such as riding, feeding, or swimming ). No elephant rides or trips to places where animals are for entertainment. Instead, our tours will travel to protected areas and national parks where elephants, including, can freely roam in their natural habitats, paying careful attention to any ventures that exploit animals. In addition to these measures, we decided to lean on our core strength – education – to cultivate wildlife–savvy travelers all over the world. As part of the program, we provide EF staff and tour directors with specialized training on the importance of animal welfare, common misconceptions, and simple ways to have a positive impact. We also provide EF customers with hands-picked service-learning projects at animal sanctuaries as well as experiential learning opportunities.
Supporting local communities: Travel has always been about” sharing a place” not just” seeing a place”. EF Ultimate Break committed to providing economic, social, and environmental benefits to the communities we help people explore. Our clients and students are taught about the significance of local production and heritage while benefiting local businesses and livelihoods in turn. We want to leave a long-lasting, positive impact that benefits local communities. We also want to work with the communities in which we reside, work, and travel to help keep them intact. At EF Ultimate Break, our itineraries preference local guides, meals, lodging, and excursion providers that are authentic to the communities we visit. Our main objectives are to educate travelers about local customs and how tourism can support local economies in a sustainable way, in addition to assisting communities in overcoming the challenges brought on by overtourism. We commit to working with local businesses and communities as we develop travel plans for any region while taking into account the effects that travelers will have on a destination.
These responsible and more sustainable planning principles will guide the design of the itinerary at EF Ultimate Break going forward. The company’s new Thailand tours, which were developed as a result of EF Ultimate Break’s commitment to Responsible Travel, will benefit from the itinerary design principles.
As they demonstrate their commitment to the tourism industry’s larger environmental impact initiatives and the sustainability goals of our nation, we’re so pleased to work with EF Ultimate Break, said Mrs. Pornpan Intratat, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Los Angeles Office. A new generation of travelers, according to market research conducted by EF Ultimate Break, is “knowing” that they are also requesting travel choices that more favorably support local communities and protect the environment.
A recent September 2024 survey, conducted by EF Ultimate Break and Qualtrics Research, of GenZ and younger Millennial travelers, ages 18-35 residing in the United States and Canada, found that 72 % of young adults said sustainability factors into their travel purchase decisions. Even if it cost more than some options that are less conducive to the environment or local communities, the majority of young adult travelers ( 56 % ) said they would choose the more sustainable option. Young adults held the position that a travel company had a policy against animal welfare, while 73 % held that supporting local businesses was important to them.
About EF Ultimate Break
EF Ultimate Break is the best way to experience the world for anyone 18-35. With over 140+ trips, we handle logistics for everything that makes travel a great experience from accommodations to flights to amazing tour directors to memory-making excursions. Our affordable interest-free payment plans make international travel possible for every traveler. EF Ultimate Break is part of EF Education First, the world leader in international education, has helped millions of people throughout its history learn a language, discover the world, or earn an academic degree. Partners can now participate in EF Ultimate Break’s affiliate marketing program and earn commissions for tour bookings. Click here to learn more.
About the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Thailand’s tourism authority is a government agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Its mandate is to promote Thailand’s tourism industry and protect the environment.
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