Theresa Boehl, Myght Contributor

How to Find Responsible Travel Advisors

Impact Travel

So you’re dead set on getting your next dream getaway on the books, and you want to make sure your trip impacts your destination, the planet, and global communities in a positive way. That’s great — going the responsible travel route is the best way to have a life-changing, unforgettable experience while helping the communities that made it possible for you to do so.

Still, as you may know, planning responsible travel can be a challenge. There are a lot of steps involved, and not all the info you need is necessarily readily available. How can you be sure the tour operators you book are properly vetted? What about the hotel — does it operating according to eco-friendly practices? And what’s the best way to get around once you arrive — are there green transportation options?

This is where travel advisors come in. These professionals specialize in responsible tourism that promotes positive changes while ensuring you get exactly the type of trip you want. But unless you’ve already worked with one, you might be confused about where to start. Read on for suggestions on how to find responsible travel advisors to do the hard work for you.

ASK FAMILY OR FRIENDS FOR REFERRALS

Interest in sustainable and ethical tourism is growing, thanks to greater awareness of the impact the travel industry has on the environment and the communities that depend on it. That means that people in your inner circle may have already worked with a responsible travel agent before and could make a recommendation.

Don’t assume all of your friends and family booked their vacations themselves through the major travel sites — travel advisors can help with all kinds of niche trips, and even the savviest travelers turn to advisors to help them with logistics, securing those lesser-known and off-the-beaten-path experiences and extending the value of their dollars.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA

There’s tremendous interest in travel these days, and there seems to be a Facebook group for every subtopic in the travel world. Connect with likeminded travelers online to get inspired and find a professional who can help you book your trip.

A great place to start is by browsing certain hashtags on Instagram to get in touch with smaller responsible travel companies and independent advisors.

Try #responsibletravel, #sustainabletravel, #responsibletourim, and our favorite from Impact Travel Alliance, #thisissustainabletravel. YouTube videos can also help you educate and inform yourself about the types of trips travelers are taking and the considerations you should keep in mind as you plan.

MAKE USE OF A NETWORK OF TRAVEL ADVISORS

What could be more convenient than visiting one site and getting personally connected to the perfect responsible travel advisor? That’s the idea behind Travel with Myght, a network of vetted, U.S.-based travel advisors with the right skills and experience to ensure your needs and goals are met.

The process is as easy as checking out a few itineraries for inspiration and then filling out a form that details the type of trip you’d like to take. Then you’ll be matched with an expert in your destination of choice who will work with you on every detail of your trip — activities, accommodations, transportation, tours, and more.

Best of all, you’ll have an advocate every step of the way (especially in the unlikely event that something goes wrong — COVID-19 travel interruptions, for example) and someone to reach out to while you’re on your trip if you need additional info or advice.

So how can you feel confident that your responsible travel advisor is as committed to the cause as you are? All of Travel with Myght’s advisors undergo a vetting process to ensure they meet certain standards. We require them to be transparent and to create trips that maximize benefits to local communities and cultures while minimizing negative impacts.

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Ready to explore your options for finding responsible travel advisors? Connect with one of our vetted responsible travel advisors.

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