Making a Difference

Links | Responsible Travel | Foundations | Certifications | How You Can Help

Latin American Escapes actively supports conservation and sustainable tourism in all parts of the world. We contribute to many international environmental organizations that focus on issues in Latin America--such as Rainforest Alliance , Conservation International, Wildaid, and the Galapagos Conservancy -- as well as to local conservation organizations in our own home state.

We realize our planet is a very fragile place, and it is everyone’s responsibility to protect its biodiversity and natural resources. We are also conscious of the impact tourism can have on a community. We strongly embrace every aspect of responsible travel, and encourage our travelers to learn about and support this very important travel movement.

Responsible TravelGalapagos recycling center

  • Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities, improves conditions and access to the industry.
  • Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances.
  • Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity.
  • Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local culture, social and environmental issues.
  • Minimizes negative economic, environmental and social impacts.
  • Is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

Latin American Escapes is involved in several environmentally and socially responsible projects. A couple of examples:

Rainforest AllianceLatin American Escapes and the Rainforest Alliance have teamed up to promote tourism operations that are recognized by the Rainforest Alliance as having achieved minimum sustainability requirements -- either by becoming certified or by participating in the Rainforest Alliance’s Sustainable Tourism Program.

The Rainforest Alliance provides tourism entrepreneurs and community-based businesses in Latin America with the tools and training they need to become more environmentally and socially sound, and to gain access to and be more competitive in the marketplace, while contributing to the conservation of the local culture and nature.
By booking a trip with a verified sustainable business, you can do your part to ensure you are bringing positive benefits to the local ecosystems and communities that you will visit.

As past president of this organization, our founder & president, Peggy Newfield, facilitated grants to the Recycling Center on the island of Santa Cruz run by the Fundacion Galápagos Ecuador. She also coordinated funding to a joint project with Rainforest Alliance and Conservation International that promotes sustainable tourism and conservation in the Galápagos Islands through a series of training workshops for local tourism providers on best management practices.

Latin American Escapes donates a percentage of our profits annually towards these and other important projects in the Galápagos Islands. 

Foundations
Latin American Escapes is directly involved in several foundations in Latin America. In addition, many of our local offices have created their own projects designed to promote the well being of their local communities, and promote sustainable tourism practices. These diverse projects involve environmental education, medical care, funding libraries, maintaining recycling projects, training local residents as guides, hotel & restaurant workers, and implementation of best management practices for small businesses related to the tourism industry. We applaud their efforts, and encourage you to learn more about their efforts during your travels.

Certifications
We encourage all of our local offices and partners to pursue environmental social certifications and workshops to lessen the impact our clients have on the planet. We are very proud of the company philosophy and dedication required to achieve and maintain these distinguished designations! 

How You Can Help

Support conservation organizations
There are many, many worthwhile organizations and projects that can use either your physical and/or financial help! Volunteering at a local wildlife center can have as much impact as donating funds to rainforest conservation. Whether you decide to donate your resources to a local organization, or one involved in global issues, you are making a difference!

These organizations usually have excellent newsletters you can sign-up to receive electronically and social media profiles so you can stay informed of all the current environmental news. A few of the organizations we support & recommend:

Become more informed
In addition to the newsletters from the organizations above, there are several informative organizations that can provide you with worldwide conservation details, and ideas of how to become involved. A few of our recommendations:

  • Sustainable Travel International –- Offers ideas to help travelers and travel-related companies protect the environmental, socio-cultural and economic needs of the places they visit, and the planet at large.
  • Galapagos Conservancy -— will keep you informed of all the latest developments in the Galapagos islands.
  • Take Action Easy tips of changes you can take in your everyday life that can have an effect on your immediate surrounding, and on places as far away as Antarctica.
  • Carbon Offset  We all emit carbon dioxide emissions when we drive, fly, use electricity, or generate waste. Solution - now you can actually invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that reduce carbon emissions. So on the one hand, you produce, and on the other, you reduce. Calculate the carbon emissions of your air travel, car, house, or lodging—or donate as a gift!