TTG Luxury Winter 2024

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Everyone has been talking about Oasis this year; the comeback, the ticket furore. It’s even seen airlines and hotels dragged into the debate, as shade was thrown on the “dynamic pricing” model. But that’s not why I mention them here. It’s their classic lyric, one that ran across my mind as I started writing this page.

Travel advisors – and anyone else reading this – have an incredible opportunity to change history here and to embrace the responsible travel movement with as big a hug as possible. We have dedicated this issue to sustainability, filling it with inspirational ideas on companies and trips that are making a difference. Indeed, “agents are lynchpins in the responsible tourism movement”, according to The Long Run, as they are at the frontline.

G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip spoke passionately on this theme at the recent Travel Counsellors Conference. I felt tears sting my eyes as he talked about the impact of overtourism – something he showcased in The Last Tourist, a moving documentary he produced. There has to be a new way. There can be a new way, if we all think twice about the types of places and experiences we are selling and want people to see.

For too long, we have worried about “putting people off” travelling, or “boring them” with talk of sustainability. We need to be bolder. To have the conversations. Because when we do, everyone benefits. We have come a long way – and we can, should and will, do more to build tourism that benefits travellers’ souls, animals’ welfare, nature’s necessity and communities’ wellbeing in equal measure. Will you be the one that saves us?

April Hutchinson
Editor, TTG Luxury
@aprilhutchinson