Explore Worldwide gets B Corp Certified

Explore Worldwide gets B Corp Certified
Edited by Travel Weekly


Explore Worldwide has this morning announced that it has been B Corp Certified, meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

Explore’s managing director Michael Edwards said: “We are completely delighted to have achieved B Corp status today, earlier than we expected, after a long process. Explore is a business that’s purpose led in everything it does – we’re continually striving to be better than yesterday and we absolutely want to be held accountable for the goals we set ourselves.”

Edwards continued: “I’m super proud that in the last 12 months we’ve launched a foundation, started making big reductions in our carbon footprint, and received the UK’s most sustainable travel company award in the 2023 Travel Industry Awards – and we’re now a Certified B Corp. It’s important to look back and see how far we’ve come but it’s even more important – crucial – to keep setting ourselves fresh targets, and acknowledging we have an awful lot more to do in achieving our targets for 2030 and beyond. It’s on the industry to protect the future of our planet so that generations to come can benefit from the same adventures that we’ve had.”

For Michael Edwards and Ben Ittensohn, regional director for AU/NZ, the achievement coincides with hitting the one-year mark into their successful expansion to the Australian and New Zealand market, underscoring Explore’s dedication to promoting purpose-led travel on a global scale.

Ittensohn said: “As we reflect on this remarkable year of building our team here in Australia, sustainability has consistently been our guiding principle in everything we do. Attaining B Corp status holds immense significance for our entire team, propelling us into an even more impactful year ahead as a newly certified B Corporation.”

The announcement comes as the operator publishes its first annual Purpose Paper, tracking the company’s progress against its sustainability goals. Structured into Planet, Places and People sections, the paper highlights where the company has surpassed its targets – 7.2 per cent reduction of intensity carbon – but also where additional efforts are required in working towards Glasgow Declaration targets.

Highlights of the report include:

Giving Back

  • The launch of the Explore Foundation in June 2023 enabled a donation of over £60,000 within 48 hours of raising money for the Morocco Earthquake Appeal.
  • The Foundation has supported two initiatives – with a third newly-announced – funding 61 bikes for One Bike in Tanzania and donating more than £14,000 to Lone Buffalo, wholly funding its Develop Together programme.
  • Partnering with Klimate, Explore moved away avoidance carbon offsets this year and towards investing in carbon removal technologies with each travelling passenger.
  • Additional donations to Cool Earth and Rewilding Britain further support Explore’s Planet commitments.

Carbon Reduction

  • The carbon intensity of Explore’s holidays – based on tCO2e per passenger, per night – has decreased by 7.2 per cent, year-on-year, exceeding the company’s target of 7 per cent.
  • However, its absolute carbon footprint has increased due to uplifts in passenger numbers and business travel. Policies like a new low carbon travel incentive for staff hope to help, along with other initiatives to do business travel smarter, and utilise more rail for staff travel.
  • Explore has set a target of 4.5 per cent reduction for 2023-24. While acknowledging another tough target to hit, Explore recognises the strengths of its committed team and excellent partners.

People

  • Explore’s board and senior managers have had bonus targets equally aligned to People, Planet and Profit targets and achieved 86-96 per cent of maximum bonuses.
  • Sustainability-centred benefits have been improved, including workations and a low-carbon travel policy where team members can earn extra paid leave by swapping flights for lower-carbon alternatives.
  • Targets for next year focus around a DEI audit and publishing an inclusive hiring framework.

Explore’s dedicated sustainability specialist, Hannah Methven said: “It’s been an incredible useful exercise to run through all that we’ve done in the last month, and to continue drawing lines in the sand where we measure and compare. Using 2019 as our baseline year (the year that we committed to the Glasgow Declaration) and comparing against that year as well as year-on-year changes, it means the whole business is completely aware of where we are in this journey, and how much further we have to go. Each and every employee at Explore is fully onboard with our direction, and more engaged than ever before – it’s been a joy to see.”

Latest News

  • Conferences
  • Travel Agents

Travellers Choice award winners 2024 announced

This year’s Travellers Choice award winners were announced at the gala dinner at Sydney Town Hall last night. The winners are: 2024 Leading Agency Award winner: Travel and Cruise Professionals (South Australia) The Travellers Choice Leading Agency Award distinguishes a member who has enjoyed outstanding success in their individual agency business, has contributed significantly to […]

  • Conferences
  • Travel Agents

Emotional Travellers Choice Conference that wasn’t hard to bear

If Day 1 of the 2024 Travellers Choice Conference in Sydney, the first in the Harbour City for 25 years, was filled with laughter and cocktails then Day 2 of “Travelution” was an emotional roller coaster. Travellers Choice MD and new ATIA chair Christian Hunter opened the three-day conference by announcing two new initiatives. In […]

  • Tourism

ATEC celebrates industry excellence with annual awards 

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has announced the winners of its prestigious annual awards, recognising exceptional contributions from across our tourism export industry. These awards, announced during ATEC’s annual Meeting Place event last Wednesday, highlight individuals, businesses, and partnerships which have shown outstanding leadership, dedication, and innovation in promoting Australian tourism. Captain Trevor Haworth […]

  • Hotels
  • Luxury

Accor announces the signing of Sofitel Sapa Hotel and residences

Accor has announced the signing of Sofitel Sapa Hotel & Residences, a landmark luxury development set to bring Sofitel’s French elegance to the highlands of Northern Vietnam. The project is a combination of 176 rooms and 436 branded residences. It is expected to open its doors in 2030, making another milestone in the expansion of […]

  • Events

ICC Sydney celebrates 100 events in record-breaking year

International Convention Centre Sydney, managed by ASM Global, is set to break the record for number of live events in a single year with 100 shows. The James Blunt concert taking place on 23 November marks the venue’s 100th live entertainment event in a single year. To celebrate this historic achievement, ICC Sydney is giving […]

  • Travel Agents

Last chance to win Globus family of brands’ $1K a Day Giveaway

Agents are reminded they can still enter an unmissable giveaway by making a deposited booking with Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways for departures in 2025. The trade incentive will remain open to agents until 30 November. To take advantage of the offer, agents simply need to make a deposited booking with either Avalon Waterways, Globus […]

  • Events

Intrepid Travel champions responsible business at UN Global Compact Sustainability Event

Intrepid Travel championed the agenda for responsible business at the United Nations Global Compact’s UNiting Business Live Australia conference this week. During her visit to Australia, UN Global Compact assistant secretary-general, Sanda Ojiambo, met with Intrepid CEO James Thornton, where they discussed the future of sustainable practices in the travel industry. Thornton and Ojiambo discussed […]

  • Hotels

Fusion launches GLOW Bangkok Riverside

Fusion Hotel Group has opened GLOW Bangkok Riverside, a new hotel overlooking the Thai capital’s Chaophraya River from the city’s Dusit district. The modern 5-storey property features 126 rooms and suites, ranging from the Superior Room at 19-22sqm to the 40sqm River Suite. All rooms have either king-sized or twin beds, and are tastefully decorated […]

  • Hotels

Nesuto Apartment Hotels launches summer secret offers

Nesuto Hotels and Apartments has launched its summer campaign with a 25 per cent off discount across its 13 neighbourhood properties across Australia and New Zealand. Nesuto’s “unveil summer’s best kept secrets” campaign offer is valid for bookings made from 1 November 2024 until 30 March 2025, for stays until 30 June 2025. In addition […]

  • Aviation
  • Travel Agents

ATAC’s signs exclusive deal with Helloworld’s Air Tickets for enhanced air consolidation services 

Australian Travel Agents Co-operative (ATAC) has appointed Helloworld Travel’s Air Tickets as its sole and exclusive air consolidator following comprehensive market assessment on best value for its members. ATAC chairman Jack Taylor said that the appointment, effective 1 January 2025, reflects the co-operative’s commitment to securing the best value for all members. “ATAC has ambitious […]