Combating the escalating issue of overtourism, Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company, is releasing its annual ‘Not Hot List,’ which highlights a selection of lesser-discovered destinations that deserve the spotlight -- from Canada’s Haida Gwaii Islands, the ‘Galapagos of the North,’ to Indonesia’s Tana Toraja Trek for going beyond Bali’s beaches.
The world’s largest B Corp certified travel company ensures all of its tours are led by local leaders who can guide travelers away from crowds. On a larger scale, Intrepid Travel also regularly makes changes to its itineraries and launches new product to introduce travelers to new communities in a sustainable way, aiming to alleviate the negative impacts of tourism while still spreading its economic benefit. There’s no reason travel can’t enrich local communities, instead of overwhelming them.
Intrepid Travel’s CEO, James Thornton, commented:
“The global tourism industry is changing, and travelers are becoming increasingly conscious about their actions especially with protests such as the Global Climate Strike shining a light on environmental issues. The general public’s awareness has shifted and there is a desire from tourists to ensure they are benefiting the communities they visit and local people they meet, while respecting their cultures, economy and the environment too. The ‘Not Hot List’ aims to meet this growing demand and promote lesser-known destinations that are just as worthy of travelers’ time.”