TravelLocal, the Bristol-founded online marketplace platform for tailor-made holidays, has showcased its achievements in promoting sustainable and ethical travel in its first impact report.
The firm, which has helped more than 70,000 customers create their perfect trip since launching in 2016, produced the report to highlight not only its progress but also the challenges it faces in a sector not often associated with environmental responsibility. 
Tourism employs one in every 10 people on Earth and a third of developing nations rely on it to drive their economies.
Yet mass tourism can lead to huge environmental damage while also destabilising local economies.
TravelLocal’s innovative marketplace model is revolutionising tailor-made holidays by connecting its customers directly with handpicked, trusted local travel experts based in their destination who know their country better than anyone.
This combines the benefits of human advice from vetted local experts in more than 90 destinations from Argentina to Zanzibar, with the convenience of being able to book online and full consumer financial protection through ABTA and ATOL in the UK.
After merging with German online travel business trip.me in 2021 it now employs 65 people in Bristol and Berlin, with staff also working remotely across the world.
Its local experts are carefully selected tour operators based in each destination, such as a Namibian travel company for Namibia, a Peruvian travel company for Peru, etc.
Its impact report, which covers the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, shows the firm achieved:
- B Corp certification: In March TravelLocal was awarded B Corp certified status, with a qualifying score of 91.5, exceeding the B Corp pass mark of 80 points and the travel industry average of 80.7 points.
- 1% Fund For Good: TravelLocal distributed 1% of its revenue to four charities, chosen to match its ethical pillars: Sustainable Amazon Foundation (people and society), Just A Drop (environmental protection), Tree Aid (business as a force for good), and Wildlife Alliance (animal protection).
- Travelife Partner Status: TravelLocal became a Travelife Partner, adhering to the most widely recognised sustainability standards in the travel industry, with a goal to achieve Travelife Certified level by 2025.
- Local Travel Partner Charter: Set to launch in late 2024, this charter will establish sustainability standards for local travel partners, providing more transparency and supporting their sustainability journey.
- Emissions Measurement and Decarbonisation: As founder signatories of the Glasgow Declaration, TravelLocal commits to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030. The company measures its carbon emissions annually and has implemented policies to prioritise green energy and second-hand equipment.
- Engagement: TravelLocal hosted quarterly talks covering various topics, including decarbonising aviation, over-tourism, decolonising travel, and the financial impact of local travel companies.
TravelLocal co-founder Huw Owen said releasing its first impact report had been a milestone for the business and underscored its “unwavering commitment to transparency, sustainability, and ethical travel”.
“This report is not just a reflection of our achievements, but a clear demonstration of our dedication to making travel a force for good,” he added.
“In an industry that often overlooks the importance of local impact and environmental responsibility, we strive to set a new standard.
“By sharing our progress and challenges, we aim to inspire others to join us in reimagining travel – making it fairer, better, and more sustainable for everyone involved.”
Last year the firm raised £8.3m to accelerate its international growth.
The firm was advised by ICON, the Bristol-based specialist corporate finance boutique, which introduced lead backer Puma Private Equity to invest alongside existing funders Active Partners and Gresham House Ventures on the Series B round.
