What It’s Like to Be a Member of The Conscious Travel Foundation
There are many reasons why people choose to become part of The Conscious Travel Foundation. For some, it’s the desire for community and shared experience. For many, it’s the opportunity to learn from industry experts. And for others, it’s the opportunity to support grassroots projects through our award-winning philanthropy programme. For lots of our members, it’s all three.
In this blog post, we’ve asked some of our members to share, in their own words, what they love most about being part of our community, and what membership means to them.
Community: A Global Network With a Shared Purpose
At its heart, The Conscious Travel Foundation is a collective – a space where like-minded travel professionals come together. When you join, you become part of a global network spanning every corner of the industry: hotels, lodges, DMCs, tour operators, travel designers, PR and marketing firms, and media, all working together with a shared vision. The exchange of ideas, the spirit of collaboration, the support – it’s what makes this community so impactful.
“Every time I connect with The Conscious Travel Foundation and its members, I’m travelling into a dozen new worlds. We teach each other. We learn from one another. The simple sharing of ideas, challenges, frustrations and successes is inspiring, reassuring and on a practical note, useful. These conversations open eyes and minds. They show us another way to approach what seems familiar. The Conscious Travel Foundation consistently reminds me that even in business, not everything is a transaction. There is so much value in the exchange of experiences, and it makes our community all the richer - for its members, for travellers and most importantly, for the incredible communities and glorious ecosystems that make travel everything it is”. - Portia Hart, Blue Apple Beach, Colombia.
Through online ‘Meet the Members’ sessions, an active WhatsApp group, and in-person gatherings including our annual Fundraising Auction in London and trade shows including Open House at Pure, our community is a constant source of connection, encouragement, and inspiration.
Learning: Empowering Businesses to Make a Difference
Knowledge is power. That’s why we work with experts across the industry to provide a wealth of learning opportunities, equipping our members with the insights they need to make informed, responsible choices. Whether it’s through thought-provoking panel discussions, hands-on workshops, or our extensive resource library, members gain the tools to refine their sustainability strategies and avoid greenwashing.
“Joining The Conscious Travel Foundation has opened our eyes to the many creative ways in which we can not only reduce our members’ carbon footprint but also design itineraries with a considerably lower impact on the environment. Over the years, we had the fortune to join many interactive webinars and in-person events, our favourites being the sessions on indigenous tourism, an introduction to philanthropy and how to avoid greenwashing. As a small company, having access to the Foundation’s current and informative learning programme (and brilliant like-minded members) is priceless”. - Timmy Coles-Liddle. NINE.
Philanthropy: Turning Membership Into Meaningful Impact
Philanthropy is a fundamental tenet of the Foundation. That’s why membership fees contribute to our community-led philanthropy through our two streams - our Community Impact Fund and Member Directed Giving. Our collaborative philanthropy programme ensures that we’re not just talking about change, we’re actively creating it.
“We’ve had the honour of supporting causes that hold a special place in our hearts here in Kenya. Our selected charity, The Local Ocean Trust, was recognised as a nominee for the prestigious annual Community Impact Fund, an incredibly gratifying experience that brought them valuable visibility. Moving forward, we are excited to utilise the Foundation’s platform to shed light on up-and-coming charities making a remarkable impact, and to amplify awareness for their inspiring initiatives” Lydia McCorkell, Patchwork Travel, Kenya
Join Us
For more inspiring stories from our members, watch our full video:
Feeling inspired? Learn more about membership here:
🔗 The Conscious Travel Foundation Membership
Or, if you’re ready to become part of our growing community, apply here:
