The hottest trend in travel is all about leaving a place better than you found it

Cruised the Mediterranean: Check. Snorkelled in the Caribbean: Double check. Photographed a lioness on safari in Africa: Yes, yes and yes!

Great big adventures, to be sure. But as climate change and economic disparity continue to dominate global headlines, an increasing number of savvy travellers are choosing to do more while on vacation: They’re aligning with companies that make a positive impact on the people, wildlife and landscapes they visit.

One way to do it is “voluntourism” or volunteering through a charity on projects in an emerging economy. It’s the world’s fastest-growing tourism niche market. A 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) report estimated that more than 10 million voluntourists spent up to $3.6 billion in 2016 alone. Another study released by Statista in March 2021 found that 83 percent of travellers around the world believe sustainable travel is vitally important for the planet.

Alternatively, there’s travelling with impact, whereby a travel company partners with a destination to protect the environment, wildlife or people. If you’re not sure where to start, CAA Travel has carefully selected preferred CAA Vacations partners with a track record for doing good. Here are some of our favourites.

Seabourn

As official cruise partner with UNESCO, Seabourn promotes sustainable tourism at World Heritage sites. The company has more than 470 UNESCO tour options in 70 countries and has donated more than $1 million to the organization.

African Travel

As a partner with TreadRight Foundation, African Travel is involved in projects to rehabilitate elephant, rhino and big cat populations.

Trafalgar

Trafalgar offers more than 80 guest experiences on seven continents that focus on responsible travel initiatives, including meeting bears in a Yellowstone conservation centre, supporting Quebec’s Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School and experiencing farm-to-table dining in Maui.

Holland America Line

Holland America supports World Cancer Day with “On Deck for a Cause,” in which guests participate in a 5-km fundraising walk for six international cancer organizations.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

If you opt out of receiving paper from Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, they’ll plant a tree on your behalf through their One Tree Planted partnership.

Member Choice Vacations

Member Choice Vacations goes beyond the tour and offers grants to destinations to fight global hunger and education inequities, while connecting guests to local communities.

Insight Vacations

On every Insight Vacations 2022 tour, they advance the United Nations Global Goals by offering Make Travel Matter Experiences, which support the wildlife, people and places their tours visit.