CATALYST PLANET - World Nomads’ Footprints in Responsible Tourism

Travelers are able to contribute directly to communities and wildlife conservation projects through the travel insurance company World Nomads’ Footprints initiative, raising both awareness and money.

The Nkirreten Production Team. Courtesy of GZT

World Nomads is a travel insurance company known for its simple and flexible coverage tailored for adventurous travelers. The company is renowned for its commitment to responsible and sustainable travel practices, partnering with conservation initiatives and organizations through its Footprints program.

Operating since 2005, the program allows customers of World Nomads to add small donations on top of a policy price to help to fund various community projects. By working with charitable organizations and NGOs, World Nomads makes it possible for 100% of a customer's donation to go towards the project of their choice.

As of 2024, over $3.8 million has been donated to support 268 community development projects, with donations from 1.3 million travelers. “Our Footprints projects allow travelers to donate to a destination or project they care about, no matter where that traveler lives,” wrote Christina Tunnah, General Manager of Marketing and Brands.

World Nomads partners with a variety of organizations to make these projects possible. One group of particular importance is the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN).

With the WCN, World Nomads has bridged the gap between people and wildlife. World Nomads showcases the success of multiple collaborative projects on its website, displaying the efficacy of individuals using their own resources for wildlife conservation.

One initiative has been the protection of the spectacled bear in Peru. This project collaborates with the Peruvian government to manage the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary to better conserve the bear and its habitat. Aside from support by the government, this project has received donations from over 4,000 travelers totaling almost $26,000, making it 86% funded. Still an ongoing project, travelers have the ability to donate when they purchase their next travel insurance policy.

Machu Picchu thrives on tourism, and a steady increase in visitor numbers has encouraged collaboration between local Indigenous communities and the government. The partnership aims to tackle potential human-wildlife conflicts through strategies to mitigate deforestation and habitat degradation. One example of balancing conservation and community development was undertaken by the Spectacled Bear Conservation Society. In collaboration with “more than 100 female artisans from rural and Indigenous communities to craft handmade felt known as ‘Feltis,’” products are sold for a fair wage, with many participants earning their first income. “By providing livelihoods to these communities, they are more inclined to work with conservationists to safeguard bear habitat,” wrote Paul Thompson, WCN’s Senior Director of Conservation Programs.

Felti Program. Courtesy of Michell León.

In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park shelters 43% of remaining mountain gorillas. Surrounded by impoverished communities, the park faces significant threats from human activity. In response, a comprehensive project by Conservation Through Public Health aims to promote proper hygiene and conservation practices within the villages. Through providing clean water sources and educating communities about sustainable livelihoods, the park’s ecosystem may be conserved while improving public health.

Conservation Through Public Health went further to establish the social enterprise, Gorilla Conservation Coffee, which pays coffee farmers living around the park a premium above market price. “This helps the farmers improve their family’s well-being and reduces pressure on natural resources that mountain gorillas need,” wrote Thompson.

Gorilla Conservation Coffee uses sustainable coffee production practices and direct trade partnerships with locals to support conservation efforts through economic incentives. By empowering farmers with training, resources and fair prices for their coffee, the enterprise purchases the beans, which are processed and packaged for sale to local businesses, tourists and online customers. “$1.5 per kilo of coffee purchased is donated to sustain the conservation efforts of Conservation Through Public Health,” wrote Thompson. As the enterprise reinvests a portion of its profits into community development projects, the well-being of local residents and wildlife is enhanced and the connection between them strengthened.

Gorilla Conservation Coffee. Courtesy of Conservation Through Public Health.

This project was made possible as a result of over $24,000 raised in donations by close to 4,000 travelers. It was 100% funded by micro-donations.

World Nomads leverages its platform to make a positive impact on wildlife conservation through sustainable travel practices. In an era where environmental consciousness has become paramount, the importance of partnerships between organizations like World Nomads and WCN cannot be overstated. By joining forces, these groups demonstrate that individuals and companies can contribute to the preservation of both animals and humans. This simultaneous approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and society, recognizing that the well-being of one is linked to the other.

Donations play a crucial role in supporting this equilibrium. There are societal tendencies that pay for extractive, short-term industries, such as logging, whereas “philanthropic donations are one of the few ways that people can acknowledge the value of conserving healthy landscapes and wildlife,” said Thompson. “Ongoing donations to conservation are critical for long-term success.”

Beyond the Footprints program, World Nomads offers a Responsible Travel section on its website that provides travelers with more opportunities to make a difference. With articles that focus on how to be a better traveler, the importance of train travel, and finding ethical experiences, World Nomads has inspired travelers to seek out more ethical and sustainable choices.

“World Nomads believes that, as travelers, we have a responsibility to respect the places we visit and give back to the people and places that provided those great experiences,” wrote Tunnah.

The partnership between World Nomads and WCN, and their shared commitment to sustainability, serves as a beacon of hope in a world that has had to become increasingly environmentally conscious. Through recognizing the interconnectedness of humans and the environment, they have paved the way for a future that saves the planet and enriches the lives and minds of the people who travel it, teaching us how to leave behind greener footprints.

“Travel enables us to experience the wonderful diversity of people, culture, and nature,” Tunnah wrote, “but these are precious resources that aren’t just there for our enjoyment but our preservation too.”