News, guidance, and resources for group travel planners

The Holbrook Insider

Principles in Practice: Making Your Travel Program More Sustainable

Feb 13, 2020 |

Conservation

| by Christa Markley

It’s practically universal: those who want to explore the world are often the ones who also want to leave it better than they found it....

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Understanding Carbon Offsets – A Beginner’s Guide

Dec 20, 2019 |

Conservation

| by Lindsay Taulbee

As a group travel leader, you’re no doubt aware of the benefits of travel for your organization, institution, or chapter: Travel can build affinity among members, create educational opportunities, help your community feel more connected to your mission, and even be a great fundraising tool....

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Time, talent, and treasure: Redefining impact at the World Tourism Day Forum

Nov 14, 2019 |

Conservation

| by Christa Markley

In late September, Holbrook president Andrea Holbrook journeyed to Washington D.C. to participate in the annual World Tourism Day Forum, hosted by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) and the Organization of American States (OAS). The purpose of the forum is to develop and discuss best ...

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Living on the land: indigenous communities and responsible tourism

Jul 18, 2019 |

Conservation

| by Christa Markley

When it comes to preserving natural areas, a common conception is that land must be devoid of human presence in order to thrive. But this isn’t unilaterally true. Yes, certain human presence degrades the environment – mining, deforesting, littering, for example – but this viewpoint doesn’t ...

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Protecting turtles that are “Too Rare to Wear”

Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricate) play an important role in the health of ocean ecosystems, but this species is under threat. Poachers have hunted these creatures nearly to extinction for their colorful shell (known as “tortoiseshell”) to make jewelry, sunglasses, trinkets, and ...

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Fighting the crowds: Seeking solutions to overtourism at World Tourism Day Forum and beyond

Oct 30, 2018 |

Conservation

| by Christa Markley

Imagine yourself at Machu Picchu. We’ve all seen photos of this iconic attraction, so it’s easy to conjure: there you are, gazing out on the abandoned stone sanctuary and jagged green peaks, as a gentle mist hangs silently over the scene, beckoning you to explore. Maybe there’s a llama grazing ...

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Giving Back: Using Service Projects to Support Your Organization’s Mission

Apr 27, 2018 |

Conservation

| by Lindsay Taulbee

Many travelers today want to go beyond traditional “tourism” and instead seek experiences that more deeply connect them with the people, culture, and environments of their destination. One way to do that, and to support your organization’s mission at the same time, is to incorporate a service ...

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Conservation: Protecting Birds and Their Habitats in the Caribbean

Mar 23, 2018 |

Conservation

| by Lindsay Taulbee

Cape May Warbler. Baltimore Oriole. Louisiana Waterthrush. Philadelphia Vireo. In North America, we often think of the birds we see at our backyard feeders as “ours,” even going so far as to name them after our own cities or states. But for part of the year, many of them “belong” to someone ...

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Reforesting hope: Costa Rica, conservation, and ecotourism

Feb 14, 2018 |

Conservation

| by Christa Markley

When it comes to conservation, Costa Rica is small but mighty. Its success story stands as a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to reverse negative environmental impact: by the 1980s, Costa Rica had the highest deforestation rate in Latin America – a particularly dispiriting fact ...

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Conservation: Carbon Offsetting with ClimateSafe

Oct 26, 2017 |

Conservation

| by Lindsay Taulbee

As the effects of climate change become increasingly evident, some travelers find dissonance in their desire to experience the world while wanting to be responsible stewards of the planet. For those who are determined to do some good while they globetrot, there are several ways to leave a ...

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