Latest news with #responsibletravel
Trade Arabia
5 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Interview: Seychelles embraces eco-luxury and cultural discovery
As one of the world's most alluring island destinations, Seychelles continues to captivate with its unspoilt beauty, rich biodiversity and refined hospitality. But beyond its postcard-perfect shores, the archipelago is evolving to meet the growing appetite for responsible, experience-driven travel. 'Seychelles has long been seen as a luxury destination, particularly in this region,' says Shireen Francis, Principal Secretary for Tourism Seychelles. 'But it's a luxury that comes with a conscience. Conservation remains at the heart of everything we do.' That ethos of sustainability is far from lip service. The island nation has embedded environmental protection into its tourism framework from the outset. 'Without our environment, without our natural assets, we wouldn't have a tourism industry. So, we've made sure everything is developed in a delicate, balanced way,' Francis explains in an interview with TTN's Jayne Houghton. Tourism Seychelles has gone a step further with a national recognition programme that celebrates operators prioritising sustainable practices, aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards. 'We recently introduced a Platinum Award for those who truly excel. The first recipient was Constance Ephelia, who's been on this journey for over a decade. For them, sustainability is no longer just a practice, it's part of their culture.' With GCC travellers increasingly seeking meaningful escapes, Seychelles is ideally positioned, geographically and experientially. 'We're just four hours from the Gulf. That's a huge advantage,' says Francis. 'It's perfect for long weekends or short breaks, and we're very well connected through carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad.' This air connectivity has bolstered Seychelles' appeal in the region, and the destination is seeing a diversification of travellers; from the traditional honeymooners to families, corporate groups and solo adventurers. 'While romance remains a strong segment for us, we're definitely seeing growth in multi-generational travel and friend groups,' she notes. 'Our resorts are responding with more family-friendly facilities, interconnected rooms and tailored activities.' More recently, the country has been leaning into immersive, culturally-rooted experiences. 'We want visitors to see more than just the beaches,' Francis says. 'We're promoting cultural and community-based tourism, wellness, and sporting events that reflect the richness of our islands.' This year, Seychelles hosted the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup—the first time the event has taken place in Africa. 'It's a proud moment for us,' says Francis. 'And in July, we'll launch the Seychelles Sailing Challenge, where participants explore six islands in seven days. It's a mix of adventure, discovery and friendly competition.' Nature lovers, too, are being catered to with events like the Seychelles Nature Trail Challenge, designed for hikers eager to explore the archipelago's lush interiors. 'It's part of our broader shift toward wellness and outdoor activity, which is what many GCC travellers are looking for.' On the marketing front, Tourism Seychelles has embraced digital transformation wholeheartedly. 'Given our size, we have to be smart with our resources,' says Francis. 'Digital platforms allow us to be far more targeted and cost-effective. We're running virtual training programmes for the trade, webinars, and digital campaigns in partnership with media and airlines.' Strategic alliances remain central to the board's approach, with renewed MoUs — like the one signed with Emirates at ATM — helping extend reach and visibility. 'We believe in working together. With limited budgets, partnerships give us double the impact. Whether it's with airlines, media or tour operators, collaboration always brings better results.' Despite the surge in direct bookings and AI-driven planning, the human touch is far from obsolete, especially in this region. 'Trade remains an integral part of the customer journey, particularly for high-net-worth travellers,' Francis points out. 'They may research online, but they still prefer that concierge-style service. That's where the trade comes in — and why shows like ATM remain so important for us.' In a travel landscape that's ever-evolving, Seychelles is striking a rare balance: remaining true to its roots while adapting to the needs of today's traveller. For GCC visitors, it's a destination that offers both luxury and authenticity — wrapped in a warm tropical breeze, just a short flight away.
Travel Daily News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Western National Parks debuts new brand and trip-planning platform
Western National Parks rebrands with new digital tools, inspiring deeper connections, responsible travel, and stewardship across 72 lesser-known U.S. national park sites. TUSCON, ARIZ. – Western National Parks (WNP), a longtime nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, introduced a revitalized brand and dynamic digital experience designed to inspire a deeper connection to America's national parks – and to cultivate the next generation of lifelong park advocates. Through this comprehensive relaunch, WNP expands its role as a 'Destination Inspiration Organization,' showcasing 72 national park sites among America's lesser-known parks and the vibrant gateway communities that surround them. From wonderfully wild places like Channel Islands National Park to sacred cultural heritage sites like Wupatki National Monument to historical parks like Brown v. Board of Education, WNP's partner parks represent the hidden gems that tell the stories of the nation. The rebrand is driven by a simple but powerful goal —to help more people connect meaningfully with these parks, visit responsibly, and become lifelong stewards of these extraordinary places. With more than $162 million contributed to parks over the decades, WNP continues to support the future of public lands by encouraging responsible visitation, enhancing experiences, and fostering a love for these treasured places. 'Our national parks are living classrooms, sacred spaces, and homes to extraordinary stories,' said Marie Buck, chief executive officer of Western National Parks. 'They preserve generations of stories, cultures, and histories, and protect vital natural ecosystems. By visiting them thoughtfully and supporting them through advocacy, education, and philanthropy, we ensure they will thrive for generations to come. Now more than ever, we can bring more people to the parks and parks to the people. Through this work, we help them fall in love with parks – nand through that love, protect them.' 'The new brand identity, tourism-focused website, and national advertising campaign mark a transformative moment for WNP,' added Michael Matthews, chief marketing officer of Western National Parks. 'For the first time, we're reaching a broad national audience of travelers seeking meaningful outdoor and cultural experiences. This platform allows us to elevate the visibility of our mission, enhance financial support for our 72 partner parks, inspire deeper park engagement, and drive awareness of our philanthropic and retail initiatives.' Mission and Community Impact WNP's new platform highlights its broader impact: developing key and engaging community programming, raising vital park funds through philanthropic efforts, supporting scientific research, providing grants for educators and scholarships for students pursuing public lands careers, and publishing award-winning books for national parks. Through these initiatives—and with the vital support of visitors – WNP helps parks thrive for all time. Immersive Planning Tools Visitors can craft personalized journeys, from quick weekend escapes to extensive cross-country road trips, through intuitive tools, interactive maps, vivid imagery, and carefully selected recommendations. Gateway Communities Spotlight Travelers are encouraged to explore beyond park borders, diving into local culture, regional traditions, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and culinary highlights in surrounding gateway towns, making their park experience part of a broader, richer vacation. Tailored Park Discovery Users can now find their perfect park match based on specific interests, such as hiking scenic trails, wildlife viewing, stargazing, photography, and birdwatching, rather than simply searching by geography. Curated Itineraries and Inspiration The platform offers editorially crafted, ready-to-use itineraries and multi-stop travel suggestions, simplifying planning and inspiring visitors to create unforgettable adventures. Retail With Purpose Visitors can also shop online or in-park at WNP stores, where 100% of net proceeds support their 72 partner parks across 12 states. Every purchase directly benefits parks, ensuring their stories, landscapes, and ecosystems are preserved for future generations.
Travel Daily News
12-05-2025
- Travel Daily News
Untamed Travelling appoints IMAGINE PR as North America PR agency
IMAGINE PR becomes North American PR agency for Untamed Travelling, a luxury travel company crafting bespoke, immersive, and responsible global journeys. NEW YORK, NY – IMAGINE PR has been appointed as the North American Public Relations Representative for Untamed Travelling, a leading luxury travel company specializing in building personalized itineraries for travelers across the globe. Guided by the philosophy 'Where the World Can't Find You,' Untamed Travelling specializes in crafting journeys that lead travelers deep into the extraordinary. Founded by Jozef Verbruggen, Untamed Travelling has 25 years of experience in crafting tailor-made journeys to remote and diverse destinations across Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond. Each itinerary is built entirely from scratch around the traveler's passions, pace, and purpose, ensuring that no two journeys are alike. Every element, from private transfers and exclusive lodging to insider access and expert local guides, is curated by a team of seasoned travel designers who bring deep knowledge and personal insight to each experience. Untamed Travelling's travel designers are passionate globetrotters themselves, each with extensive firsthand knowledge of the destinations they specialize in, often gained through regular on-the-ground research and personal travel. This approach allows them to uncover hidden gems, build strong local partnerships, and stay up to date with evolving conditions and opportunities in each region. Rather than relying on pre-packaged tours or fixed templates, the team takes the time to understand each client's unique travel personality, whether they're seeking seclusion, adrenaline or cultural immersion. 'Travel has the power to change not just the traveler, but also the communities and environments they touch along the way,' says Verbruggen. 'Our goal is to create journeys that leave a lasting imprint and are as enriching for the people and places visited as they are for our clients. With our expansion into North America, we look forward to connecting even more travelers with the world's most inspiring and off-the-beaten-path destinations.' Clients can choose from a range of experience types through Untamed Travelling, including: Nature Travel: For those drawn to wild landscapes and biodiversity, Untamed Travelling offers adventures that highlight the natural world—from tracking gorillas in Rwanda to exploring the Galápagos Islands by expedition cruise. Cultural Travel: Thoughtfully curated trips designed to immerse guests in the stories, traditions, and soul of a destination. Whether it's ancient temples, contemporary art, or tribal rituals, the focus is on forging real connections with local communities. Adventure and Active Travel:Carefully tailored to each traveler's level of comfort and ambition, these journeys might include hiking, diving, heli-skiing, or multi-day treks, always with an emphasis on safety and sustainability. Luxury Safaris and Wildlife Expeditions: Untamed Travelling has longstanding relationships with exclusive camps, lodges, and conservation partners throughout Africa and beyond. The company also offers itineraries curated to special events and themes, including family adventures, culinary journeys, honeymoons, photography trips, train journeys, among others. Untamed Travelling's mission goes beyond creating personalized itineraries, as it aims to place a strong emphasis on responsible tourism and actively work to ensure each itinerary has a positive impact on the destinations it reaches. This includes promoting lesser-known destinations to reduce overtourism, supporting nature reserves and community-led tourism initiatives, and advising clients on ethical travel practices. The company supports giving back to communities when traveling, whether by supporting conservation projects in Africa or highlighting the voices and stories of Indigenous communities in Latin America and Asia. As a member of Virtuoso, the leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, the company grants access to exclusive advantages that elevate each journey.
