Luxury Gold is a proud member of The Travel Corporation’s  (TTC) family of brands. The Tollman family behind TTC is guided by service and giving back. Together we believe that travel is a great privilege. With the education, compassion, and lifelong memories travel provides us also comes a great responsibility. At Luxury Gold, our mission is to ensure that travel has a positive impact on the planet we call home, the people and communities whose home we visit, and the rich wildlife we find there.

Luxury Gold does that in two ways: through our partnership with The TreadRight Foundation and through the implementation of our five-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right (HWTR).

The TreadRight Foundation

The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands. TreadRight has supported some 55-plus sustainable tourism projects worldwide to date. Support is provided through donations and grants to leading partners across the sustainable travel spectrum. These projects all fall under the three pillars of TreadRight: People, Wildlife, Planet.

1- PEOPLE – Community Support and Cultural Preservation

Luxury Gold enables communities to see the benefits from tourism through economic empowerment. Luxury Gold guests have the opportunity to enrich their journey by participating in a variety of unique community-led tourism experiences that directly support employment and preserve the community’s distinct heritage.

Meet Sarain Fox, TreadRight’s People Ambassador

Sarain amplifies the voices of her Indigenous community through preservation of culture and stories. “When we make authentic connections with local people our travel becomes infinitely richer. My First Nation Anishinaabe heritage serves as the lens through which I view the world, seeking to build a bridge to the people whose lands I am grateful to visit and whose stories I am privileged to tell. Throughout the Americas, you will find rich cultures to discover and support – and fascinating people to meet.”

Cultural Experiences That Make Travel Matter – Treasures of The Incas   

The Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco encourages a 10,000-year-old Andean textile tradition and provides support to the 500 individuals working in this heritage industry from the Cusco region. Meet Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, president of The Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, and learn about her mission to preserve traditional weaving techniques and how she has succeeded in bringing weaving once more to the forefront of her community.

2. Planet – Conservation and Protection

We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our business and safeguarding the future of our planet. Initiatives include: targeting climate change, sustainable food production and responsible consumption through carbon management, renewable energy, the food cycle, waste reduction, and the elimination of single-use plastics.

Meet Céline Cousteau, TreadRight’s Planet Ambassador

Leading environmentalist and explorer, Céline has been highlighting various sustainable travel topics and showcasing amazing projects helping to protect ecosystems all over the world through her films. She has been TreadRight’s Planet Ambassador since 2015. We encourage people to hear the stories of local projects, discover what different communities are doing to protect our planet. If you can get involved and understand what people are doing, you can see where we, as humans can make a difference.

3. Wildlife – CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION

The world’s wildlife is balancing on a dangerous precipice, so it is our responsibility to help protect some of these species most at risk from extinction. Through Luxury Gold’s partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, we to help protect and rehabilitate elephant, rhino and big cat populations around the world, while also educating our guests on ethical wildlife experiences.

Meet Ami Vitale, TreadRight’s Wildlife Ambassador

Awarded “Best Image of the Decade” for her depiction of the final moments of a northern white rhino, former war photographer Ami Vitale captures compelling stories of wildlife and nature on film. Ami has travelled to over 100 countries and is committed to making a profound difference to the future of conservation. There isn’t just one thing you can do for the planet, there are many things, but one of those has to be choosing travel companies that offer ethical experiences. Supporting companies that choose sustainability means prolonging the existence of certain species.

Ethical Wildlife Experiences with Luxury Gold – Essence of India with Ranthambore

Visit the former private hunting grounds of the maharajahs of Jaipur, in search of the elusive Bengal tiger and other wildlife on an early-morning game drive. More common wildlife sightings in the dry, deciduous forests o Jaipur include wild boars, monkeys, spotted deer and antelope. Return to your resort for breakfast before you head out on another safari adventure into the National Park, led by an expert naturalist. Besides wildlife, you’ll discover lakes, palace ruins, traditional Chhatri and even a majestic 1,000-year-old fort.

How We Tread Right Strategy Implementation

Going beyond our partnership with The TreadRight Foundation How We Tread Right is our new five-year sustainability strategy. At the heart of this strategy are 11 goals, developed to address both the environmental footprint and the community impact of our business and operations. These 11 HWTR goals are anchored to the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, which we’ve prioritized based on our impact potential. Our goals were developed in consultation with 30+ TTC brand and business leaders, as well as our Make Travel Matter Team, a passionate group of team members tasked with embedding sustainability at our offices and within our operations around the world.

Make Travel Matter (MTM) Experiences

NEW for 2022 at Luxury Gold Make Travel Matter Experiences  are conscious travel experiences available on our journeys. MTM Experiences are chosen with great care based on the positive social or environmental impact they have on their communities and those who experience them. Using a proprietary assessment tool endorsed by industry experts and developed exclusively for TTC’s family of brands, MTM Experiences are assessed against a robust set of criteria directly tied to the UN Global Goals. Through HWTR, we are committed to integrating at least one MTM Experience on 50% of our trips by 2025.

Take The Pledge – In It Together

As mentioned our ethos of #makingtravelmatter permeates our entire business and mandates that each member of the Luxury Gold team does his or her very best to walk the talk. As a global family connected through our love of travel and our commitment to sustainability, we have each signed the #MakeTravelMatter Pledge we hope that you will join us before embarking on your Luxury Gold journey.

If you’re passionate about wildlife, it’s likely that one of the reasons you travel is to catch a glimpse of an exotic animal in its natural habitat. Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to spot a leopard stalking its prey, while on safari in the Kruger National Park or the Common Shelbruck, which, despite its name is actually quite rare, while birdwatching on a luxury journey to India.

Now that we’re all wondering when it will be safe to travel again, we can dream of our next vacation and the possibility of seeing something in the wild that we’ll never forget. We have time on our hands to learn more about these remarkable creatures that have roamed the earth for thousands of years. We can explore how to travel sustainably so that we preserve and conserve their spaces and ensure that the next generation can admire them as we have.

Incredible India – Home to a Vibrant Wildlife Population

Discover the remarkable wealth of wildlife that India has to offer. This enormous sub-continent, the second-most populous country in the world, is the perfect place to search out the elusive tiger. India is home to almost 3,000 tigers, which is a boost on figures from five years ago, suggesting that conservation measures are proving successful. The Bengal tiger is native to the country, although it is still threatened by poaching and encroachment on its habitat. Ranthambore National Park is home to many of the creatures and although they prefer to lurk among the trees for camouflage, the abundant prey and lakes of the park do lure them into sight on occasion. Take an early morning game drive to see if you can spot one, and you’ll also encounter spotted deer, playful rhesus macaque monkeys and wild boar feeding on the wild fruits and plants that grow in the park.

Many visitors see leopards, sloth bear and nilgai on their safari, and graceful gazelles can be observed from time to time grazing on the wild growing flora. While exploring the park, don’t miss the 1,000-year-old fort, which is where many different species often hang out.

If you’re a fan of birdwatching, you’ll be spoilt for choice with more than 300 species of bird found in the park. Painted storks and egrets wade around the wetter areas of the park, while cute parakeets can be spotted sitting in the trees. Colourful kingfishers and black eagles also populate the park. During the winter season, from October to March, plenty of migratory birds visit the park, including the sarcus crane and falcons. This is a splendid time to visit, but note that safaris can be hard to arrange on your own so it’s best to visit with a recognized company. Choosing a company such as Luxury Gold supports sustainability travel and means you’re making an ethical choice that encourages protection of our planet and wildlife.

The dry, deciduous forests of the park are also an ambling ground for the Asian elephant, with sightings delighting travelers who visit any time of year. These magnificent creatures may be smaller than their African counterparts, but they still weigh in at around 2,000 – 5,000 kgs each!

A sad reality is that elephant welfare awareness isn’t common in India, which has led to the mistreatment of the beautiful animals. They are used for processions, performances and manual labor. Through their partnership with TreadRight, Luxury Gold has helped support Wildlife SOS to build a permanent training facility that trains staff in proper elephant management and laws around animals, to improve the situation between humans and elephants and protect these magnificent creatures.

Even wandering the streets of Jaipur, cows are a frequent sight. This is because cows are revered as a symbol of life in Hinduism, and almost 80% of the country identify as Hindus. It is worshipped as Gaumata, mother cow, because it provides milk, so it’s seen as life-giving. There are also more cows here than anywhere else, it’s estimated that there are approximately 45 million of them roaming around India. It’s an odd sight to see them ambling unguarded wherever they please and travelers never fail to get a kick out of it.

Stunning Safari in South Africa

Travel deep into the wilderness for the opportunity to see the Big Five in their natural terrain. One of the most immersive experiences you can enjoy is staying right in the heart of the African bushveld at the Lion Sands Game Reserve, which forms part of the ecosystem that contains the largest concentration of wild animal species in the entire Southern hemisphere. Stay in contemporary African luxury and admire the animals that congregate near the Sabie river, a world away from busy city living.

Here you’ll have an excellent chance to see a pride of lions roaming through the reserve looking for prey. Awaken early to catch the animals at feeding time – experienced rangers and trackers will take you on a fascinating drive where you pass cunning crocodiles lounging in the sun near the water. Nearby some hippos may be lying half-submerged as they try to cool down from the heat of the day. Hear more about the ruthless and predatory hyena, who has been miscast as a coward throughout history, but in fact is brave and intelligent, which has led to their survival when competing with lions for prey.

The white rhino is far more commonly seen than its near relative, the black rhino, although its name doesn’t directly relate to its color. White rhinos are larger than their relatives and love to graze on the savannah. They are less aggressive than black rhinos too but can run surprisingly fast given that they weigh up to 2,000 kgs and have remarkably short legs.

If you’re a big cat fan, the Lion Sands reserve boasts frequent sightings of the elusive leopard. They are happy roaming around the plains of Sabi sands, and it may be a rare opportunity to observe the stealthy, agile animals. By day they lie in trees for camouflage, but during the morning they can be seen at their most active, crouching before they attack.

One of the world’s most endangered mammals, the African wild dog, lives in the park too. They are commonly found hunting in packs of six – 20, with the size of the pack increasing their ability to hunt down larger prey. Each African wild dog has a unique pattern on their coat, which helps trackers and rangers to identify them individually.

The graceful oribi, a small antelope, is a rewarding sight for visitors to the reserve. They have fascinating dunging ceremonies and are social creatures within their herds. Their young are born between October – December and it is less likely they’ll be seen then, as the young are hidden away from any prying eyes.

Hear the booming call of the grey-crowned crane during breeding season, named for its glorious headpiece of stiff golden feathers. If you’re extremely lucky, perhaps you’ll be treated to a show of its courtship display, which involves dancing, bowing and jumping. This fantastically feathered bird is threatened by a loss of habitat and use of pesticides. Other birds you can see in the Kruger national park include the Greater blue-eared Starling and the White-headed Vulture. The Yellow-billed Oxpecker is more commonly sighted here than anywhere else.

The Extraordinary Wildlife Wonders of Down Under

The smallest continent on earth boasts some of the most fascinating sights and wildlife that you’ll ever see. This enormous country possesses over 80% of species that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet, which means that it is a must-visit for nature-lovers. Added to that is the fact that it’s lockdown measures have successfully controlled the coronavirus, it means that traveling across the country is permitted here, where it may be challenging elsewhere. Here you can go completely off the beaten track, but even if you choose a more urban center as your base, there’s an incredible amount to see within a short drive.

The Inspiring Australia 13-day journey lets you experience a plethora of amazing encounters. Join a Local Expert to visit UNESCO World Heritage Site, Daintree National Park. Pass by some farm dams to see a shy platypus making its way through the waters and plenty of kangaroos that will be out in force during the day, feeding in the daylight hours. If you’re taking the Jindalba Circuit track, the rare Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo that is only native to these parts, may make a special appearance in early morning or late afternoon. Wallabies and possums live in the park too. Daintree is an amphibian’s dream, visiting during summer will expose you to the incredibly loud frog chorus. When you hear that Queensland boast 54 species of frog native to the area, the chorus makes sense!

Birders will love Daintree, as 430 bird varieties have been recorded in the park over the years. Come to see the mesmerising dance of Victoria’s riflebird, which is endemic to these parts and Macleay’s honeyeater, which hangs upside down to eat.

The Great Barrier Reef is a bucket list item that many travelers regard as one of the most extraordinary phenomena they have ever seen, a gigantic coral reef that is visible from space. Cruise to the Outer Reef to snorkel in underwater gardens and marvel at the remarkable variety of aquatic life in its depths. The coral is a complex ecosystem that is home to more than 1,500 species of fish and over 400 kinds of sea mammals, including the vulnerable dugong and many different starfish.

Insight Vacations has recently launched new Local Escapes for those who live in Australia. If you’re itching for your next getaway, these premium escorted tours are a chance to get out and explore your country, while travelling sustainably and supporting local businesses trying to get back on their feet after almost a year of bushfires and lockdowns. Perhaps a visit to Western Australia would be a good pick, as you can get off the beaten track or visit Rottnest Island to meet the happiest animal on earth, the quokka.

Wherever you choose to go on your next journey seeking rare wildlife, remember that your travel choices affect the communities and landscapes that you visit, so be sure to choose wisely and make travel matter.

BY SHANNON GUIHAN

I’ve spoken of two P’s so far – the Power a large organization has to have impact at scale, and the Passion I saw from the teams at TTC.  But there is a third P that is most important – Partnership.  In order for travel to truly have a positive impact, we need coordinated efforts at every level, with all of us realizing that our efforts are part of the bigger picture.

We began by identifying the three critical areas in which travel has the greatest potential for impact: Planet, People, and Wildlife. With these as the three pillars of TreadRight, we looked to see who was doing the best work in each realm.  This has led to us partnering with over fifty-five projects around the world, and a new, soon to be released company-wide strategy aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

As you now take time to consider your future travels, I invite you to share in the inspiration I find each day from the people and communities with whom we partner, like Rosamira, Executive Director of Proyecto Tití, which protects the critically endangered cotton top tamarin in Colombia. Through WildlifeSOS in Jaipur, India, you will meet the truly impassioned people working to inform tourists and prevent the cruel practice of riding elephants. And nowhere will you find more impressive visionaries than Sam Judd and Camden Howitt, co-founders of Sustainable Coastlines in New Zealand. Last month – before travel was suspended, which now feels like a very long time ago – I spent an inspiring afternoon alongside other TTC volunteers, collecting and categorizing trash found on a New Zealand beach in the name of citizen science.

 In her blog posting last month for International Women’s Day, Bea Tollman wrote that supporting women and girls is essential, and many of our projects do just that. When you travel to Perugia, Italy, you’ll meet Marta at Laboratorio Giuditta Bronzzetti. When I was introduced to her, she was working in a crumbling church with a hole in its roof, as the very last in a lineage of hand frame weavers carrying on traditions dating back to the Renaissance. TreadRight partnered with her to restore the church’s roof and develop her gift shop, where she now trains the next generation of weavers. You’ll find a similar story in Peru, where Centro de Textiles Traditionales del Cusco preserves 10,000 year old Andean traditions while providing training and employment to women. And, at thirteen locations throughout rural Laos, you will find women and girls learning traditional techniques through Ock Pop Tock’s Village Weavers Project.

For now, I invite you to learn about all these incredible partnerships and more at TreadRight.org. When the time comes to travel again, you will have the chance to visit and support many of our partners around the world, through the amazing itineraries offered by TTC’s brands.

Some of TreadRight’s most important partnerships are with our ambassadors, who serve as our storytellers – and story listeners – around the world. Céline Cousteau, granddaughter of Jacques Cousteau and an accomplished activist, filmmaker, and explorer in her own right, serves as our planet ambassador – check out her beautiful video telling of the story of Iraq Al Amir Women’s Cooperative in Jordan. Sarain Fox, our people ambassador, is a First Nations activist and artist, helping preserve Canada’s indigenous culture through Manitoba Mukluk’s Storyboot School. Check out her tips on how we make our travel matter. This year TreadRight welcomed Ami Vitale as our first wildlife ambassador. An award-winning National Geographic photographer, she specializes in telling the stories behind the headlines. When travel resumes, she will be sharing stories from some of our projects in southern Africa, including those welcoming Red Carnation visitors to Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, South Africa, and Botswana’s soon to open Xigera Safari Lodge – which, by the way will be nearly 100% solar powered.

These are but a few of the places where we work, and I’ve told you why we do what we do – to Make Travel Matter. As TTC’s Chief Sustainability Officer, I also focus on how we put this into practice on a daily basis, ensuring that the positive impact of your travel begins long before your journey, through the practices of each of TTC’s 42 brands.  We are eliminating all unnecessary single-use plastics from our offices, in our hotels and on all of our trips. Each TTC traveler is encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle on their trip and to receive documents electronically, and when you choose to do so, we plant a tree through our E-Documents Initiative.  This year, we will be planting in Australia, helping the recovery from the terrible bush fires there. TTC’s Toronto office – where I work – is powered by geothermal power, and a good number of our offices around the world have had solar panels installed.

As you can tell, when it comes to ensuring travel has a positive impact, there are a lot of moving parts – and a long way to go. But, as they say, Paradise was not built in a day.

I’d like to end with our most important partnership: You, our travelers. In addition to the visits you will be able to make with TTC’s companies to see and support these projects, a portion of every dollar you spend with every TTC company funds this work. And, please read and sign on to our travel pledge – which upholds the simple, key tenets of TreadRight and TTC – to help protect and preserve our planet, our people and their communities, and the wildlife of our beautiful fragile planet.

 

Just as I began this post with questions, I’ll end with one more, for you. The time to travel will come again – hopefully, soon. When it does, how will you make travel matter?

Sincerely,

Shannon Guihan