Sustainable travel
We believe that travelling sustainably and consciously, matters. Contiki Cares is our commitment to protecting the communities we visit, the wildlife we interact with, and the planet we all share.
We respect local cultures and champion traditional heritage, working together with the local communities and artisans we visit.
We support and educate on ethical animal experiences and protect the world’s most at risk wildlife from extinction.
In our offices and on the road, we think green with our policies, products and practices, committed to keeping our planet safe.
OUR PLEDGE
Along with our TTC Sister Companies, we believe in travelling sustainably and consciously. Our pledge to Make Travel Matter is our commitment to protect the people and wildlife we interact with and the planet we share.
Our founding partner, the TreadRight Foundation was established 10 years ago as a not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting sustainable tourism within The Travel Corporation’s family of brands.
To date, TreadRight has supported over 50 sustainable tourism projects worldwide, and is the driving force behind our promise to making travel matter.
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ON OUR TRIPS
Giving our travellers the chance to make their travels matter is at the very heart of the Contiki experience, which is why we have a range of included sustainable travel experiences built in to our trips across the world. With us, you can be safe in the knowledge that your travels are positively impacting the places you visit.
FEATURE EXPERIENCE
IRAQ AL AMIR WOMEN’S COOPERATIVE
The Iraq Al Amir Women’s Cooperative is located in Amman, Jordan, and is a project centred on helping local women become financially independent through learning handicraft skills such as pottery; goods which they are then able to sell at the Cooperative. Contiki groups visit the centre, enjoy a home cooked meal and have the chance to interact with the women, learning about their lives and work.
Do it on
Israel and Jordan Uncovered
REDUCING OUR PLASTIC IMPACT
One of the greatest threats our oceans are facing today, is plastic. A product that can take up to 1,000 years to break down, plastic items now clog our streams, rivers and oceans, creating a catastrophic impact on both mammal and marine life. Sadly, the travel industry is a major contributor to the problem, with travellers using plastic convenience products on a daily basis on their travels. But at Contiki, we’re working hard to change that.
THE CONTIKI WATER BOTTLE
Knowing that water is unsafe to drink in many parts of the world, we didn’t just want to offer a reusable water bottle for our travellers, as that doesn’t resolve the need for plastic in those countries where the water is unsafe. Instead, we took it one step further, offering our travellers a water bottle that is not only made from 100% recycled materials, but also comes with a built-in filtration system.
ELIMINATING SINGLE USE PLASTICS FROM OUR SUPPLY CHAIN
Having already removed most single use plastics from our offices worldwide, by 2022 we have committed to removing all unnecessary single use plastics from our supply chain, and on all our trips on the road. This commitment is one that is spear headed by The Travel Corporation, and shared by all brands within our family.
CARBON OFFSET
We feel it’s increasingly important to provide our guests and our team with the necessary tools and information to allow them to make responsible travel choices whenever possible.
If you’re looking to offset your carbon footprint for an upcoming or previous travel experience, our not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation has identified four leading carbon offset programs; Conservation International Carbon Fund, Myclimate, The Nature Conservancy and Rainforest Concern - Forest Credits.
They provide travellers with a number of ways in which to offset your travel experiences and a variety of carbon offset projects to choose from.
ONE TREE PLANTED
In partnership with OneTreePlanted, Contiki is committed to planting one tree for every one of our travellers who uses e-documents. Since introducing the scheme in February 2018, Contiki has already helped plant over 40,000 trees (about 71 acres) on behalf of travellers, across barren and devastated land in Northern California, Brazil and the Andes.
CONTIKI CARES PRODUCTIONS
From raising awareness about the global plastic crisis to shining a light on the inhumane treatment of Indian elephants, our documentaries, interviews and storytelling efforts are all geared towards spotlight the causes and issues we care most deeply about.
FEATURE PRODUCTION
Wildlife SOS & the plight of the Indian elephant
Together with TreadRight and a handful of storytellers, we travelled to India to meet with Wildlife SOS, to learn more about the cruel mistreatment of elephants trapped within the entertainment industry. Elephant riding is still a very present tourist activity in India, with tours offered throughout the country. We met with Wildlife SOS, an organisation dedicated to rehabilitating elephants whilst also fighting to end this cruel tradition, to tell the story of these beautiful creatures.
PEOPLE WE’VE WORKED WITH
On our journey we’ve worked with and learnt from some incredible humans who share our passion for sustainability and equality; people who are consistently pushing for change and inspiring others to do the same.
Celine Cousteau
A lady that needs little introduction given the credentials of her surname, Celine is the granddaughter of the legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, and a respected environmentalist, activist and film producer in her own right.
Chelsea Yamase
Instagram superstar Chelsea Yamase grew up on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, so it’s little wonder she has such a close affinity with the ocean. A free diver, environmental campaigner and globe trotter, we first worked with Chelsea back in 2015.
Brinkley Davies
Marine biologist, environmental conservationist, founder of the Bala Blue Foundation, free diver - Australian born Brinkley has many strings to her bow, making her one seriously inspiring lady. A tireless campaigner for preserving and protecting both marine and animal life.
Seth Maxwell
Thirst Project founder and CEO Seth Maxwell is probably one of the most inspiring guys we know. Launching the Thirst Project at the age of just 20, the organisation empowers an army of socially conscious young people to work together to bring an end to the global water crisis.
Felicity Palmateer
Big wave pro surfer and Billabong team member Flick Palmateer isn’t afraid of taking risks. In 2016 she was the only female nominated in the Oakley Big Wave Awards. But it’s not just on the water where Flick inspires. It was on her 2013 Contiki Cares trip to the Galapagos Islands, that first inspired her passion for ocean conservation.
Alli Speed
American YouTuber Alli Speed is a long time friend Contiki’s. We first met her back in 2012, when we launched our YouTube series The Road Trip, that ran consecutively for 5 years with Alli a regular face on each series. Working with her on these projects her passion for environmentalism and equality shone through.
CONSCIOUS TRAVEL AND THE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE
In a world where climate change is no longer a threat but a reality, communities and ancient traditions are being lost and overtourism is negatively impacting some of the planet’s best loved destinations, your travel choices have never been more important.
