Travel with a Purpose | Sustainability at Holbrook

TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Turning toward sustainable tourism amid a changing planet

Travel

has power. It can bring people together, shift perspectives, raise awareness, inspire, enrich, and transform.

But travel also has the power to degrade our planet’s natural and cultural heritage.

We believe in travel’s power for good, and we have a responsibility to contribute positively to the aweinspiring world we share.

All of our programs are designed to create meaningful connections between our travelers and their destinations.

Every journey offers the chance to build bridges, in support of a better world.

— the Holbrook Team

Holbrook & Sustainability We know sustainability is a shared concern between our team, our field partners, and our travelers. Whether visiting a city, rural village, ancient ruins, or rainforest, it is possible to do so responsibly by designing travel programs that are mindful of the potential social and environmental impacts.

Our programs follow the principles defined by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). In partnership with our suppliers and field partners, we are committed to: •

Maximizing social and economic benefits to local communities and minimizing negative impacts

•

Providing education and training externally and internally

•

Integrating sustainability where possible throughout our programs

•

Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes

•

Reducing our carbon footprint and raising awareness about climate change

Around the world, we are proud to collaborate with and support local conservation projects, non-governmental organizations, and community-based programs that advance conservation and sustainable development.

FOUR PILLARS OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL The following categories comprise best practices for responsible tourism, with the intent to minimize negative impact and maximize positive return for local people and environments in the region.

ENVIRONMENT

COMMUNITY

Respecting the natural world as both a resource and a responsibility

Economically benefiting the communities we visit

WILDLIFE

CULTURE

Supporting conservation-based initiatives for education and protection

Fostering cultural exchange that yields mutual positive impact

> PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

Carbon offsetting

with ClimateSafe

Since 2008, Holbrook Travel has partnered with ClimateSafe, the United States’ first federally recognized certification mark for greenhouse gas-neutral products and services. ClimateSafe allows travelers to offset the carbon emissions from their trip by supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and forestry projects in the U.S. and internationally.

Last year, Holbrook travelers offset their travel across 11 destinations

ENVIRONMENT

Since 2008, Holbrook travelers have offset nearly

10,000

metric tons of CO2

More than ever, the natural environment and its resources are at risk of degradation by human development and profit. Holbrook seeks to bring its travelers closer to the natural world and educate on the threats and challenges it faces today, in order to spread awareness and increase stewardship.

and invested almost

$50,000 in conservation projects with ClimateSafe

> PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

Partnering with

Sea Turtle Conservancy

Founded in 1959, the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) focuses on research, education, training, advocacy, and habitat protection to help protect the world’s sea turtles. Like Holbrook Travel, the STC is based in Gainesville, Florida, and the organizations’ histories have been intertwined for more than 25 years.

Working with the STC, Holbrook has successfully facilitated volunteer opportunities at the STC’s Costa Rica field station for as many as 50 individuals a year. Volunteers get hands-on experience as they assist with track counts, measuring turtles, egg counts, nest marking, and recording data including tag numbers and nest locations. The field station, with the support of these volunteers, has seen a 500 percent increase in the green turtle nesting population since the 1970s.

WILDLIFE Holbrook Travel is committed to the protection and preservation of local biodiversity, habitats, and wildlife in all the destinations in which it operates. Holbrook’s programming provides opportunities for travelers to responsibly interact with local biodiversity, to increase awareness of and participation in conservation efforts.

> PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

COMMUNITY In-country collaboration is a vital component of Holbrook Travel’s operation. Holbrook seeks to work with local partners that support and contribute to the surrounding local community and its economy.

Holbrook’s partner organizations operate with consideration of positive impact to the citizens of the region, including their own employees.

Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center The Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) is a nonprofit organization established in 1993 by Holbrook founder Giovanna Holbrook and her friend Berta Carter. With the aim to bring visitors together with local people for mutual exchange through cultural activities and service projects, the SCLC’s programs benefit local residents and include a semi-public library that is part of the National Library System, technology classes (as part of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications), English classes, and many ad hoc programs.

> PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

Losirwa Primary School Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania

Holbrook Travel has worked in exchange with the Losirwa Primary School in Tanzania since 2011. The school was founded in 2008 to make it easier for students to commute, and has since grown to grades K-7. Most students are from the Maasai community, whose livelihood is dependent on raising cattle — although members of the Maasai are increasingly integrating into Tanzanian society.

Holbrook’s field leader, Lucas Mhina, in partnership with the U.S. nonprofit Friends of Meali International, has played a vital role in the school’s development. This work has helped the growing student population (now 500) with needed infrastructure, on-site housing for quality teachers, and underwriting students’ first year of secondary education. Most Holbrook visitors spend the day at the school, interacting with students and teachers, then join families at the nearby village.

CULTURE Travel as a means for educational and transformative cultural exchange is at the core of Holbrook Travel’s values. Holbrook’s programming strives to build bridges between travelers and local communities and cultures through authentic interactions that foster genuine connections and mutual positive impact.

Responsible Tourism Guiding Principles Holbrook’s methodology to practicing sustainable initiatives in the field

LOCAL COMMUNITY AREA

GUIDING PRINCIPLE

Local Impact

Base development and operations on ability to support community.

Employment & Training

Provide local residents with job opportunities and training.

Labor Laws

Comply with international labor standards and regulations.

Facilities

Provide water, sanitation, and hygiene for all onsite workers.

Equal Opportunity

Non-discrimination by gender, race, religion, disability or other.

Anti-Exploitation

Stated policy against any form of exploitation or harassment.

CULTURAL HERITAGE AREA

GUIDING PRINCIPLE

Guidelines

Follow guidelines for visits to cultural sites and indigenous communities.

Local Guides

Support training and use of local guides.

Authenticity

Provide genuine interaction with and respect for local culture and heritage.

Low Impact

Respect capacity and fragility of sites and communities against overtourism.

Reciprocal

Views of local people are vetted to demonstrate authentic, two-way exchange.

Support

Provide in-kind or other support for cultural heritage.

Child Protection

Measures are in place to avoid inappropriate interaction with children.

PHOTO CREDITS: ANN AND ROB SIMPSON, SEA TURTLE CONSERVANCY,

Goal: To follow best practices for responsible tourism in all destinations; to be used as guidelines when developing programs.

ENVIRONMENT AREA

GUIDING PRINCIPLE

Certification

Preference to service providers with environmental certification.

Purchasing

Purchasing favors reusable, returnable and recycled goods.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources are favored, monitored and measured.

Energy & Water Use

Equipment and practices minimize energy use and water consumption.

Transportation

Reduce transportation where possible and use cleaner alternatives.

Waste Water

Seek to improve wastewater treatment arrangements.

Waste Management

Reduce overall waste, including actions to separate, reuse, or recycle waste.

BIODIVERSITY & WILDLIFE AREA Guidelines

GUIDING PRINCIPLE Provide clear instruction to visitors on site and wildlife interaction.

Protection

Properties support biodiversity and monitoring for invasive species.

Support

Direct or indirect visitor contribution to support biodiversity conservation.

Engagement

Support local conservation NGOs in areas of operation.

Interactions

Restrict direct interactions with wildlife, unless sanctioned.

Captive Wildlife

Comply with regulations concerning captive animal welfare.

SARAPIQUĂ? CONSERVATION LEARNING CENTER, KELLY WORDEN, ERIC LINDBERG

Since our founding, Holbrook has been at the forefront of ecotourism and sustainability.

We are dedicated to fostering best practices of ethical travel: conserving the environment and local natural resources, and improving the well-being of local communities in all our destinations.

800-451-7111 | holbrooktravel.com

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