US travel company giving back

Through the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, the company supports under-represented and disadvantaged communities through tourism initiatives. A few of these programmes include Exodus’ Mountain Lioness Project in Tanzania, which has supported 30 female porters to become mountain guides on Kilimanjaro. Photo: Exodus Adventure Travels

Exodus Adventure Travels, a US company that provides small group guided adventures, has launched its “Thriving Nature, Thriving People” approach to responsible travel, which supports conservation initiatives driven by local communities for lasting and positive impact.

As Exodus marks its one-year anniversary of being certified as a B Corporation (B Corp), the adventure travel operator said is committing to improving life through travel by championing the coexistence of nature and people in harmony.

“At Exodus Adventure Travels, empowering our guests to travel responsibly is a core aspect of the adventures we create,” said Kasia Morgan, head of sustainability at Exodus Adventure Travels.

“By supporting local communities to conserve nature across our destinations, we can create transformative travel experiences that not only immerse our guests in the beauty of the world but also contribute to its restoration and resilience. Every adventure we offer is thoughtfully curated to leave a positive, lasting impact on the places and people we visit.”

Exodus Adventure Travels’ Thriving Nature, Thriving People initiatives include:

Citizen Science Departures: In a first of its kind programme, travellers may participate in collecting vital biodiversity data, contributing to global conservation efforts, on specific Exodus trips.

Rewilding: In partnership with Rewilding Apennines, this programme aims to restore natural habitats across Italy. For every traveller, the company funds the rewilding of 100 square metres of land, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem regeneration.

Ocean Restoration: This initiative focuses on conserving and restoring marine ecosystems through a partnership with Blue Marine Foundation, supported alongside Exodus’ sister companies. This program targets key habitats like seagrass meadows and mangroves, which play a critical role in carbon sequestration and biodiversity support. Efforts span seven global locations, including the Dutch Caribbean, Greece, and Indonesia, aiming to protect 7,000 hectares of marine habitat while engaging and empowering local communities over the next three years.

Wildlife and Animal Welfare: Aimed at ensuring ethical wildlife experiences, Exodus follows strict animal welfare guidelines, avoiding experiences based on cruelty to animals or activities that could harm wildlife. This approach commits to supporting various conservation projects and promoting responsible practices in wildlife tourism in Kenya, Sri Lanka and India.

Empowering Disadvantaged and Under-Represented Communities: Through the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, the company supports under-represented and disadvantaged communities through tourism initiatives. These include Exodus’ Mountain Lioness Project in Tanzania, which has supported 30 female porters to become mountain guides on Kilimanjaro. In Nepal and India, the Foundation’s Himalayan Community Project encompasses initiatives, including delivering training and materials to women living in remote Himalayan regions, so they can generate income in the low season.

Community Kickstart Projects: Exodus supports various grassroots community empowerment and conservation initiatives through its global partner network. This could be through uplifting women, encouraging entrepreneurship, youth conservation engagement or regeneration. Most recently, The Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation partnered with Portugal A2Z Walking & Biking as part of their Community Kickstart Projects, to help restore the country’s vital ecosystem following devastating firestorms destroying more than 40,000 hectares of land in 2017 – including the iconic 800-year-old Pinhal de Leiria forest.