Adventure.com acknowledges the complexity and challenges of travel in the context of our global climate crisis.
We believe that travel and adventure, at its best, can and should be an integral part of a thriving, inter-connected and regenerative future, and an essential tool in helping work towards the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
This in mind, we've put together the below Contributor Impact Guidelines. We know that 'doing good' isn't always possible. Or easy. But these are the guidelines we try to live by when we travel—and they're the guidelines we encourage our contributors (and readers) to live by, too.
- Adventure.com contributors are encouraged to minimize flights if possible, and personally offset any flights they do have to take. We will prioritize pitches from writers and photographers who are already in (or have already been to) a region that they wish to write about.
- Adventure.com contributors are encouraged to opt for human-powered (cycling, hiking, kayaking, etc) or public transportation (buses, trains, etc) whenever it is safe and practical to do so. We do not encourage contributors to put themselves at risk of harm or discomfort when deciding how to get where they want to go, and we acknowledge that not everyone has the privilege of deciding how to get around.
- Adventure.com contributors are encouraged to favor certified carbon-neutral or homestay accommodation wherever possible, practical and safe. The carbon footprint of homestay accommodation has been shown to be up to 80% less than that of international tourist hotels. Again, we do not encourage contributors to compromise their personal safety when arranging accommodation, and we acknowledge that accommodation requirements will vary drastically from person to person.
- Adventure.com contributors are encouraged to show wild places and creatures the same level of care and respect that they would show their own mother.
- Adventure.com contributors are encouraged to buy and use locally-produced goods, meals and services wherever possible; and opt to travel with Indigenous or First Nations-owned businesses and operators where relevant and appropriate.
- Adventure.com contributors are encouraged to turn their attention away from regions and sights that are struggling with overtourism (unless researching or writing about solutions or locally-led initiatives), and instead look to more community-based tourism initiatives.
- Adventure.com contributors are encouraged to sign up to Tourism Declares and the Glasgow Declaration, and to consider ethical banking, superannuation/pension/401k funds, and renewable energy providers at home.
- Adventure.com contributors are encouraged to tip generously if they can (and to tip fairly if they can't). This one doesn't have much to do with the environment. We just think it's a good rule to live by.