Travel Corporation’s Tour Brands Take Bold Step Against Climate Change

In a ground-breaking move within the travel industry, The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) prominent tour brands, including Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver, and Contiki, are ceasing the distribution of branded merchandise. Instead, the company is reallocating funds to support projects dedicated to combating climate change on behalf of their guests, trade partners, and team members.

The decision aligns with TTC’s existing four-step climate action plan, encompassing near-term, long-term, and net-zero carbon emissions targets, all validated by the Science-based Targets Initiative. By forgoing the production of additional branded items, the initiative aims to offset the equivalent carbon emissions of 6.5 million car-driven miles annually.

TTC tour brands are redirecting the funds traditionally designated for branded merchandise to contribute to nature-based solutions projects. Kelly Jackson, Managing Director of TTC Tour Brands, emphasizes the collective responsibility for the planet’s future, stating, “No one needs ‘more stuff.’ We continue to do what we can in line with our How We Tread Right 5-year sustainability strategy and our not-for-profit foundation, TreadRight.”

The tour brands will now make donations to projects already supported by TreadRight, including GreenWave’s Kelp Climate Fund Project and Rainforest Rescue’s Daintree Project. These initiatives focus on collaborating with nature to address environmental, societal, and biodiversity challenges.

GreenWave’s Kelp Climate Fund Project involves planting kelp across regenerative ocean farms in North America, while Rainforest Rescue’s Daintree Project aims to protect and restore parts of Australia’s invaluable Daintree Rainforest—the world’s longest continually evolving rainforest.

As a final step in their commitment, all TTC tour brand offices will responsibly rehome any leftover or outdated merchandise, either donating them to local charities or utilizing them for internal fundraisers.