Responsible Travel

Elegant Resorts’ love of luxury travel goes beyond a passion for seeking new destinations and experiences. As a pioneering supporter of responsible travel, we understand that the world’s eco-systems and communities must be protected to ensure the future of our planet. And as one of the largest industries in the world, the benefits of tourism can be far reaching for local economies, communities and the environment. We work closely with our travel partners to ensure every holiday we create offers the ultimate in luxury experience while limiting its negative impact, with many of our featured portfolio of hotels, resorts and lodges having their own sustainability policies, education programmes and conservation initiatives to help preserve the surrounding landscapes, seascapes and indigenous wildlife they share with their local communities. In addition, we continue efforts to keep our own house in order at our headquarters in Chester by improving our green credentials, such as having motion sensor lighting throughout our state-of-the-art building, encouraging staff to car share or cycle to work, recycling our rubbish, reducing the amount of marketing collateral we print and adopting a ‘paperless’ office policy wherever practical.

Elegant Resorts is leading the way in championing responsible travel through its partnership with Positive Luxury, which sees it display The Butterfly Mark alongside awarded resorts. Positive Luxury connects luxury lifestyle brands with a global audience of people that care, awarding The Butterfly Mark to resorts according to their social and environmental framework, governance and philanthropy – helping people discover brands to trust. The Butterfly Mark is recognised as a guarantee of commitment to sustainability.

As part of our efforts towards preserving the planet, we partner with charities that share our passions and ethos. We are incredibly proud to announce our international charity partner for 2017 is Great Plains Conservation, which is dedicated to conserving and maintaining the natural habitats of Africa. Much of Africa’s spectacular lush jungle, parched savannah and endless desert, all populated by the continent’s iconic and unmatched wildlife, is sadly at risk from poaching and other man-made impacts. Our partnership involves us supporting Rhinos Without Borders – a project run by Great Plains Conservation and andBeyond – that will see 100 rhinos relocated from South Africa to secret safe havens in Botswana.

The initiative is in response to the dire situation that faces this endangered animal in Africa – poaching is at an all-time high, leading to proactivity from concerned conservationists. The Rhinos Without Borders operation includes an assertive anti-poaching force and strong commitment to saving this species. We will be working closely with this very worthwhile company, and their foundation, throughout 2017 on a number of fundraising initiatives and exclusive events, along with featuring a selection of Great Plains Conservation’s luxurious safari lodges in Kenya and Botswana, which allow conscientious travellers the opportunity to enjoy authentic safari experiences with strong ethical principles.