The adventure operator has reached more than 50 Positive Impact Experiences across its global portfolio as demand for more meaningful experiences continues to increase
The milestone marks the next stage in Explore’s strategy has the operator puts greater focus into identifying, developing and adding to these experiences across its existing tours and new adventures, with the overall ambition of creating more opportunities for travellers to have meaningful encounters while abroad.
The PIEs range from community-led tourism and traditional crafts to conversation initiatives and wildlife protection projects. The experiences provide valuable support for local organisations and communities while giving travellers the chance to see a different side of a destination.
Some of the experiences include the ‘Spirit of Prespa Orchard’ in North Macedonia which brings together women of all generations and diversities and allows travellers to meet the women involved, learn about local traditions, and discover how the project is helping to preserve knowledge and strengthen community connections.
The ‘Solheimar Eco Village’ is a pioneering sustainable community where people from all walks of life, with or without special needs, live and work together in an inclusive and creative environment. The village itself makes handmade candles, ceramics, woodcrafts, herbal products and organic vegetables, and Explore offers travellers the chance to gain insight into the community’s wider approach to sustainable living.
Managing director, Michael Edwards, said, “We’ve been including experiences like these in our tours for many years, because we know that some of the most memorable moments of a trip come from meeting people, learning something new and getting a genuine insight into the place you’re visiting.
“Reaching 50 Positive Impact Experiences is a great milestone, but for us it’s really about what comes next. Our product teams are constantly looking for new experiences and local partnerships that we can bring into our existing tours and build into new ones.”
