EF Ultimate Break, a tour operator brand within student travel group EF Education First, has launched a new Responsible Travel initiative in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This initiative aims to create and promote more sustainably designed tours in Thailand. The company will use MyClimate to track emissions from its itineraries and will donate to the nonprofit WeForest for reforestation and farmer education efforts. This focus on sustainability will be applied to over a dozen new tours in Thailand, as well as the existing portfolio of over 100 tours in the country.
EF Ultimate Break president Heather Leisman highlighted the company’s commitment to responsible tourism actions, including limiting carbon impact, adhering to animal welfare guidelines, preserving landmarks, and supporting local communities. For example, the company’s new tours in Thailand will include visits to an elephant sanctuary but will not allow elephant rides or visits to places where animals are used for entertainment. The partnership with MyClimate will provide measurement tools to help the company assess carbon impact when building tours, such as the impact of transportation methods and the potential reductions with sustainable alternatives like electric buses.
A survey conducted by EF Ultimate Break and Qualtrics Research found that 56% of American and Canadian travelers aged 18 to 35 would choose the more sustainable travel option, even if it costs more. This indicates a growing interest in sustainable travel offerings among young travelers. EF World Journeys, the parent company of EF Ultimate Break, has long been involved in sustainability efforts, including collaborations with projects like the Eden Reforestation Projects. The new partnership with WeForest will support projects to regenerate forests in the Mahale mountains, plant native trees, and educate farmers over the next five years.
This new Responsible Travel initiative reflects EF Ultimate Break’s commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism practices. By partnering with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and organizations like MyClimate and WeForest, the company is dedicated to creating more sustainable tours and reducing its carbon impact. The focus on sustainability aligns with the growing interest in eco-friendly travel options among young travelers. EF Ultimate Break’s efforts to incorporate responsible tourism actions, such as preserving landmarks and supporting local communities, demonstrate a holistic approach to sustainable travel development.
As part of the EF World Journeys portfolio, EF Ultimate Break is part of a larger organization that has been involved in sustainability efforts for many years. The company’s partnership with WeForest and other projects demonstrates a continued commitment to environmental conservation and community support. By expanding its sustainable travel offerings in Thailand and leveraging partnerships with key organizations, EF Ultimate Break is driving positive change in the travel industry. The company’s focus on responsible tourism not only benefits the environment and local communities but also meets the growing demand for sustainable travel options among young travelers.
