Hidden History Travel Sustainability Statement

Promoting a better world and future for all.

Sustainability has environmental, economic and social aspects, all of which link travel and tourism to the well-being of communities and countries around the world. Whilst tourism is generally considered to be a force for good, it can have negative as well as positive impacts. Sustainable tourism aims to minimise the negative and maximise the positive, addressing the combined needs of tourists, local communities, environment and the industry.

You are already helping

The aims of sustainability resonate well with Hidden History Travel’s own ethos of greater engagement with the world and its cultures, long-term insight into society and nature, and generally more enriching travel. Archaeology and history provide real depth of insight into places and peoples, and into wider aspects of culture and humanity, which helps understanding, tolerance and peace, and can guide us towards a better future.

Cultural enrichment is therefore already very much at the heart of what we do, and when travelling with us you are already engaging with some sustainability goals. Your visits to sites of cultural significance also brings revenue to those sites, which helps to protect, maintain and restore them. The additional revenue you bring to host communities also generates income and employment, and is a key driver of socio-economic progress and infrastructure development. And, of course, our tours provide intellectual stimulation, sociable company and plenty of fresh air and walking, so you are engaging too with your own education, health and well-being.

What’s next?

We are now increasingly embedding all aspects of sustainability into everything we do, from the hotels and transport providers we work with, to the design of our itineraries and the very themes of our tours. Our sustainability policy is geared towards fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to achieve this we are following the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s set of industry criteria. These criteria are organized around four main themes, which we have adopted as our framework for becoming a sustainable tourism business:

Effective sustainability planning and management.
Maximizing social and economic benefits for the local community.
Enhancing cultural heritage.
Reducing negative impacts to the environment.

What does it mean for me?

The process will take time and there is no linear path to implementation; you will see us addressing different criteria as opportunities are found and as we make the journey with you. There won’t be any silly rules; our mission is simply to help you feel part of a force for good at the same time as enjoying a rewarding travel experience. We have lots of exciting ideas, from before you go, how you get there, and what you do when you’re there, but the choices will always be yours. We would love you to feel involved, and join us on this journey to a better world and future for all.

Further Information

For further information on the United Nations Sustainability goals: sdgs.un.org/goals
For further information on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council: www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-industry-criteria-for-tour-operators/