We are thrilled to announce that World Challenge has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Best Sustainable Tour Operator at the Global Youth Travel Awards 2024!
This prestigious recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional and meaningful travel experiences for young people. We are honoured to be among just five other operators in this category.
Our Journey
Established over 30 years ago, World Challenge has evolved to offer a diverse range of travel experiences, including adventurous Expeditions, culturally immersive Journeys, and Curriculum Adventures that bring school subjects to life. In 2024, we will proudly send 300 school groups on these life-changing journeys.
Our commitment to people and planet is deeply ingrained in our operations. We measure our success not just by the experiences we provide, but by the positive impact we leave on the environment and communities we visit.
Pioneering Meaningful Travel
World Challenge has consistently been at the forefront of travelling with purpose. We were among the first operators to remove harmful practices such as elephant riding (in 2016) and orphanage visits (in 2018) from our itineraries. These decisions were accompanied by educational initiatives to raise awareness about responsible travel among educators and students.
In 2020, we introduced pre-departure modules focused on climate change, animal and child welfare, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and responsible travel practices. These modules, combined with on-trip community initiatives aligned with the SDGs, empower our participants to become informed global citizens.
Our Climate Action Plan
Our efforts extend beyond education. In 2020, we took the bold step of offsetting the emissions from our trip flights, and we’ve since expanded this to include all emissions generated by our operations. In 2023, we transitioned from offsetting to investing in nature regeneration, reflecting our commitment to long-term environmental stewardship.
Through initiatives such as removing single-use plastics from our expedition kits, providing water purification systems that save over 250,000 plastic bottles annually, and sharing plastic-free packing lists, we continue to reduce our environmental impact. Our efforts have led to a 5% reduction in on-ground emissions within just one year, demonstrating the tangible impact of our strategies.
Looking Ahead
As we look forward to the WYSTC (World Youth and Student Travel Conference) in September, where the winners of the Global Youth Travel Awards will be announced, we remain committed to our mission of creating positive, long-term change through travel. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far, and we are excited to continue leading the way in youth travel.
Join us in celebrating our finalist spot! Learn more about our sustainable practices and how we’re making a difference. Explore our journey today!
Written by Emma Halder
