Responsible travel: the Contiki story

©Cathy Yeulet via 123RF

Contiki is one such travel brand that is proactively on that mission through their #ContikiCares project. But why should travel operators be so concerned about sustainable travel? As Contiki puts it: “There’s no better education than travel. Exploring the world opens your eyes to different cultures, different communities and a new way of living, and travelling responsibly goes hand in hand with this education. Small steps make big waves, and by educating ourselves on the changes we can make as individuals both on our travels and at home, we can protect the places that have given us countless happy memories for years to come.”

So, how exactly are they working toward “greener” and more responsible travel?

Greener coach travel

When comparing the various modes of travel available, coach travel consistently comes out on top as the greenest travel option. Research has shown that one full coach has five times less carbon dioxide emissions, per passenger per kilometre, than a plane on the same route. Or, in car terms, for every full coach, there are 16 fewer cars on the road.

Since Contiki started exploring the world over 50 years ago, coach travel has remained their primary form of transport. Gone are their original beat up old minivans, which have been replaced by a fleet of super sleek, impossibly efficient Euro 6 coaches. So what makes these coaches the bomb?

“Wearing our science hats for a second, Euro 6 engines contain a product called AdBlue, an aqueous urea solution that is non-corrosive and non-abrasive. AdBlue is injected into the exhaust gas of Euro 6 coaches and clings to the particulate matter (soot) particles that are emitted, converting all the dangerous fumes into a mixture of water and nitrogen, completely harmless products for the environment. Euro 6 engines are the most advanced of their kind and currently make up 37% of Contiki’s fleet of Europe coaches, with plans to double and triple this figure within the next few years,” says Contiki.

Proactive plastic recycling revolution

Every year, thousands of travellers head off on a Contiki trip. Imagine the number of plastic water bottles each traveller brings with them - a lot (we’re talking tonnes and tonnes of plastic). Knowing that it takes one plastic bottle 700 years to decompose in a landfill, Contiki knew that something needed to be done.

In a bid to combat the harmful effects of plastic on the environment, each Europe-bound Contiki coach has bio-bags in storage. Each coach never leaves on a new departure without carrying these bio-bags. Contiki’s trip managers are as passionate about the environment as the brand is, and ensure that they collect travellers empty water bottles at each stop of a trip, disposing of these at recycling bins along the route or, if no bins are available, storing the full bags under the coach until they can find an appropriate recycling point.

For the love of oceans

Over the past few years, Contiki has been channelling a sizeable portion of its energy into supporting and sustaining the world’s oceans. Why oceans? Simple – because protecting them has a domino effect on the entire eco-system of the planet. Working together with Treadright, Contiki is expanding their focus, working to give back to the communities that they visit, and seeking to protect the animals who make travel experiences so extraordinary.

In November 2015, Contiki sent a bunch of social media influencers from around the world to Australia on a mission to clean up beaches and share insight about plastic, BPA, pollution, and their experiences in general. Each influencer covered pertinent issues relating to responsible travel and the importance of it on the environment.

The Contiki Storytellers documentary ‘Wise Up To Plastic’:

Alongside the video content, Contiki has also developed a plastic survey at Contiki Storytellers, where travellers can take the survey to realise their own plastic impact on the planet.

As more brands realise the impact their choices make on the environment, we will see more brands upping their game to promote, encourage and implement more efficient ways for the environmentally conscious traveller to travel.