Sustainable travel in South America is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. Experiencing the best the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru have to offer while positively impacting the environment and local communities is what inspires the destination experts at Metropolitan Touring!
If your clients are wondering how to travel sustainably, this guide will help you understand what sustainable travel means and how you can help interested travelers make the best decisions for their potential journey to, and through, South America.
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What does sustainable travel mean?
The primary goal of sustainable travel is to encourage, promote, and foster responsible practices that reduce—and ultimately mitigate—the impact of travel on the environment and local communities. When adventurers travel sustainably, what they invest in their trip helps fund conservation and clean-up efforts, supporting local economies in the process.
How Metropolitan Touring Embodies Sustainable Travel in South America
Metropolitan Touring unwavering commitment to sustainable travel in on full display at every turn! As a Destination Management Company (or DMC), we own and operate three expedition vessels and three fantastic hotels. With each of our products, we implement daily corporate policies to minimize our footprint and create a positive impact on the local communities with whom we work.
In addition to our products in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, we operate in Colombia and Peru, where we also strive to demonstrate a commitment to sustainable travel, all the while creating meaningful experiences around South America’s unique beauty and biodiversity.
Promoting Sustainable Travel through Metropolitan Touring’s Initiatives
As a leading DMC in South America, Metropolitan Touring takes significant steps to ensure our tours and operations have a positive impact. This approach includes supporting and working closely with local communities and implementing programs focused on renewable energy, water conservation, carbon neutrality, and CO2 compensation.
With over 70 years of unparalleled expertise, Metropolitan Touring is a pioneer in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, consistently pushing the boundaries of environmental protection. Our daily efforts are dedicated to enhancing the journey of every adventurer who chooses us, ensuring that each experience is enriching and leaves a positive impact on the planet. Join us in our mission to create unforgettable and sustainable travel experiences!
1. Supporting Local Communities
Sustainable travel practices include embracing conservation and social commitment. From the beginning, our company has understood that the value of our products and services is intrinsically tied to our efforts to preserve landscapes and ecosystems, and support community development.
For instance, in the Galapagos Islands, most products are imported from mainland Ecuador. Here, the commitment to supporting local communities is quite significant. That’s why Metropolitan Touring’s vessels and the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel prioritize regional suppliers wherever possible: sourcing fresh, high-quality ingredients from local producers on the islands.
The gastronomic offerings aboard our expedition vessels and at the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel on Santa Cruz Island ensure excellence while contributing to the island’s economic development. By doing this, a shorter, more transparent supply chain is created. Ingredients arrive fresher to our guests’ dining tables. At the same time, choosing local ingredients reduces carbon emissions associated with food transportation to and from mainland Ecuador.
2. Implementing Renewable Energy
By implementing renewable energy sources, companies reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why Metropolitan Touring has invested in renewable energies like solar and wind power, which don’t emit greenhouse gases. For example, the 50% of the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel is powered by solar energy!
3. Waste Reduction and Use of Biodegradable Products
The Galapagos Islands have very strict regulations regarding the amount of waste permitted to be generated by companies and guests in the archipelago. As a result, Metropolitan Touring encourages guests to use environmentally friendly, biodegradable products that meet international standards.
4. Carbon Neutral Operations
All Metropolitan Touring operations have been carbon neutral since 2017. If your clients are wondering about carbon emissions while traveling through South America, these emissions are calculated according to their itineraries, and a program run by Fundación Futuro, our holding group’s foundation, will offset them. This program meets the international guidelines of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
5. CO2 Compensation
The carbon emissions offsetting program, established in 2017, ensures all Metropolitan Touring’s operations are entirely carbon neutral. This program is essential for the growth of the private reserve surrounding Mashpi Lodge in the Andean Chocó—one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world!
Sustainable travel in South America is a fulfilling opportunity for conscious travelers. By choosing to travel responsibly, your clients can explore the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of the region while positively impacting the environment and local communities.
Metropolitan Touring leads the way in this effort with over 70 years of dedication to environmental conservation and social responsibility. From supporting local communities and implementing renewable energy to achieving carbon neutrality, the company’s initiatives ensure that your journey leaves a lasting, positive mark on South America.
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