Luxtripper Travel Editor
Travelling meaningfully really allows you to connect with new cultures and places.
As the world returns to travel this year, travelling consciously is very much at the forefront of our minds, with resorts and lodges that support local initiatives offering us a chance to really help make a difference. Conservation efforts are integral to the protection and preservation of beautiful destinations across the world so that we, and future generations to come, can experience the natural world and the cultures within it. We believe in the power of tourism, and Conrad Bali, Cottar's 1920s Camp and Bush Villa, and Six Senses Fiji are three resorts that really set themselves apart in their efforts to help local women and preserve the natural environment.
Cottar's 1920s Camp and Bush Villa is a pioneer of such initiatives, placing community involvement and conservationism at the forefront of its mission. Cottar's strive to achieve a net positive impact on its surrounding environment by implementing a number of sustainable practices such as recycling 95% of non-organic waste, sourcing fresh produce from the camp garden, replacing game drives with bush walks, and even establishing the Cottar’s Wildlife Conservation Trust (CWCT) which supports the creation of a 6,000-acre wildlife conservancy. Cottar's efforts go beyond simply preserving a spectacular holiday destination, but rather towards preserving a culture, identity and home.
Additionally, an established partnership between Cottar's and the local Masai tribe ensures the locals are provided income in exchange for leasing the land and are given employment opportunities at the camp. Traditionally a male role, the camp employs female-only Masai guides across its site to empower the local women and provide equal opportunities.
Beyond the apparent beauty and luxury of a destination, you'll often find impoverished communities residing on the outskirts of touristic attractions that benefit little to none from their region's booming tourist industry. Lack of financial and educational opportunities sentence remote, rural villagers to a life of poverty with no escape, and for many women and girls, the outcome is even direr with a greater risk of being subjected to abuse and illness.
Six Senses Fiji, a breathtaking resort situated on Malolo Island, has taken a stand against the increasing divide between wealth and poverty in Fiji by supporting the Rise Beyond the Reef initiative, a program dedicated to empowering women and girls in rural villages with education, skills, and income-earning opportunities. Through the Traditional Contemporary Arts & Crafts Income-Generating Program, women are given the opportunity to market and sell handmade traditional arts and crafts, which Six Senses Fiji supports through purchase and display as decoration throughout their resort.
The Bali Mountain Women's Coffee Cooperative is a local community initiative, comprised of 105 members, dedicated to uplifting and supporting the region's women coffee farmers. The all-female coffee cooperative, one of only two in Indonesia, has garnered support from international and local businesses in the region; and Conrad Bali is proudly one of these businesses, actively supporting this admirable initiative.
A stunning luxury resort situated along Bali's southern coastline, Conrad Bali has strived to strengthen connections with its local suppliers in order to forge mutually beneficial relationships. Sourcing from local suppliers ensures communities can benefit financially from the presence of businesses in the region, particularly women who often have fewer employment opportunities. The resort's commitment to sourcing local and sustainable coffee precedes its most recent partnership, having established a partnership with Java Mountain Coffee in 2016, with 10% of its sales returning to the Women’s Empowerment Innovation Fund.
Our bespoke itineraries offer more than just beautiful sights, but also unforgettable experiences that are centered around forging an authentic connection with the local communities and land. Get in touch with our Luxury Travel Specialists to discover more meaningful hotels that work with, rather than against, their local communities and environment...