Sustainability is more than just the environment - It's jobs too!
When most people hear the word sustainability, they often think of recycling, reducing plastic, or protecting natural habitats. And while those are incredibly important, sustainability in travel goes much deeper—it’s also about people.
As a travel advisor, I’ve learned that true sustainability means ensuring that tourism has a positive impact on the destinations we visit. That doesn’t just mean leaving a lighter footprint on the planet—it also means making sure the communities who welcome us benefit from our visits.
One of the most powerful ways this happens is through local job creation. When travel companies choose to partner with local guides, family-owned restaurants, or community-run accommodations, they’re directly supporting livelihoods and helping keep traditions alive. Every tour guide, driver, chef, or artisan involved in a travel experience represents a sustainable choice when they’re hired locally.
Why Local Jobs Matter
- Economic growth stays in the community. Instead of profits being sent overseas, they support families right where you’re visiting.
- Cultural heritage is preserved. Local artisans, musicians, and storytellers are given opportunities to share their traditions.
- Authentic experiences for travelers. A local guide can share their hometown with insights and personal stories you won’t find in a textbook.
Travel Companies Making a Difference
Thankfully, many tour companies are weaving local jobs into their sustainability practices:
- G Adventures – Through their Ripple Score and partnerships with the Planeterra Foundation, G Adventures makes a point of supporting community-run enterprises around the world. Whether it’s a women’s weaving co-op in Peru or a local restaurant in Vietnam, their tours ensure your travel dollars benefit the communities you visit.
Local potter - G Adventures - Collette – Collette partners with local guides and experiences, ensuring that communities benefit from their tours while travelers gain deeper cultural connections.
- Riviera Travel – Riviera often uses local experts to bring destinations to life, providing jobs for historians, chefs, and artisans along their itineraries.
- Virgin Voyages – Virgin’s “Shore Things” excursions are designed to connect travelers with the heart of each destination. Instead of mass-market tours, Virgin partners with local operators—whether it’s a family-owned cooking class, a community-led walking tour, or a locally run adventure activity. This approach supports small businesses and helps ensure your experience is authentic to the destination.
How Travelers Can Support Local Jobs
Even as an individual traveler, you can make small choices that make a big impact:
- Dine at family-owned restaurants instead of global chains.
- Book tours that highlight community-run projects.
- Purchase souvenirs directly from artisans.
- Ask your travel advisor (that’s me!) about suppliers that prioritize local impact.
Sustainability is about more than protecting the planet—it’s about protecting people, too. When you choose travel experiences that empower local communities, you’re making a difference far beyond your vacation.
If you’d like to plan a trip that’s both meaningful and memorable, I’d be happy to help you find options with companies like G Adventures, Collette, Riviera Travel, and Virgin Voyages, where local job creation is part of the journey.
If you learned something from this article and/or enjoyed it, please share it. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about sustainable travel, please contact us. Our beautiful planet is important to Gin & Tonic Travel, and we support sustainability in our business by working with sustainable suppliers and how we operate our business.
Article contributed by Samantha Leeming, Travel Advisor at Gin & Tonic Travel.
You can read more about sustainability in travel in our weekly Sustainable Sips blog. If there is a topic you would like us to write about, please send us your suggestion to explore@ginandtonictravel.com.
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