The travel industry is certainly stepping up to the plate and doing its part when it comes to protecting the planet and spearheading initiatives that both preserve and benefit the communities in which they operate.

There are countless examples of this.

The luxury travel service Virtuoso, for instance, has regularly been advancing the discussion regarding sustainable tourism via the release of white papers on the topic, action plans, and sustainable travel guidelines.

The company also initiated the Virtuoso Sustainable Tourism Leadership Awards eight years ago. More recently, it kicked off the Virtuoso Sustainability Summit.

Peregrine Adventures meanwhile, has become the world's most sustainable cruise operator. As part of its commitment to sustainable tourism in 2018, the carbon-neutral travel company banned all single-use plastics such as straws, cups, and water bottles on board its adventure cruising charter trips, providing passengers with reusable cloth bags and refillable water bottles.

Here are eight more examples of travel companies working to make a difference, names to keep in mind the next time you consider booking a vacation.

Environment

PONANT, a leader in luxury expedition sailings, has announced they will launch the hybrid electric Icebreaker in 2021. Powered by electricity and liquefied natural gas, the ship will produce almost no emissions. PONANT's existing fleet, as well as the six new EXPLORER ships, will have the Bureau Veritas "Clean Ship" label with advanced sonar tracking of icebergs and methods to halt the ship without dropping anchor.

Nayara Resorts, set on the fringes of Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano, opened a Sloth Sanctuary, providing a safe home for the peaceful animals. The sanctuary has quickly grown to shelter more than 15 sloths (the property previously only had one or two in residence). Nayara planted 300 Cecropia trees on the property, the sloth's main food source, which has attracted the newcomers.

Aqua-Aston hotel group has long been leading the way in Hawaii when it comes to educating travelers about the harmful effects of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. In 2016, after the latest spate of news about the global coral bleaching epidemic, the hotel company began planning its "Reef Safe" public awareness initiative, which involves giving out free eco-friendly sunscreen to the guests at its 40 properties across Hawaii.The hotel has also installed sunscreen dispensers at all of its properties.

Community

Earlier this year, andBeyond launched philanthropic-focused itineraries in Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa to give guests a first-hand look at its core ethos of caring for the land, wildlife, and people. The activities range from adopting an elephant at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Kenya to participating in local school conservation lessons in Tanzania to visiting the Grootbos Green Futures College in Cape Town, an organization that provides educational training to unemployed young adults in the city.

In Myanmar, Belmond has played an active role in the local community for more than 20 years. Resident physician Dr. Hla Tun sails with Belmond Road to Mandalay to treat hundreds of patients per year in remote communities along the ship's Ayeyarwady River route.

The brand has also worked with Dr. Tun to open 21 schools for local children in the region, the first of which launched in the barge's port base, Shwe Kyet Yen. Guests are also encouraged to bring reading glasses onboard to donate to the local patients.

Education

Virtuoso is committed to educating travelers about the positive impact that comes from traveling in more mindful ways - from saving endangered species to supporting community development projects. Virtuoso's Director of Sustainability works with travel advisors to develop eco-tourism itineraries, and Matthew Upchurch, CEO has pledged that all his personal trips this year will follow sustainable practices.

CREST is a leading organization raising awareness about sustainable practices around the places it visits. Comprising more than 200 travel and academic partners and affiliates, CREST is dedicated to the idea of "new tourism," which involves a higher level of environmental and cultural awareness to protect and conserve

Impact Travel Alliance (ITA) - This non-profit organization is focused on building purpose-driven travel events at its hubs (local chapters) around the world. The hubs host gatherings such as meet-ups and travel summits focused on education and advocacy around sustainable tourism with the goal of helping consumers to understand how to travel sustainably.

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