INTRODUCING Our Destination Community Council

At the end of 2021, we established our Destination Community Council. It aims to convene a group of global partners (operators, tour leaders or suppliers) who can broadly represent our destination communities. All council members have been involved in transformative social and environmental initiatives across different regions, and their voice, insight and unrivalled expertise will be invaluable as we continue to implement our sustainability goals.

With a passion for gender equality and protection ofvulnerable groups including women, LGBT and native communities, Fernando was one of the driving forces for educating trip leaders in gender equality. Doubling the number of female trip leaders during his time as operations manager, Fernando also extended educational training in sexual misconduct. Currently Fernando and his team are working with the local government on a reforestation program to plant 1M trees around the conservation area of Machu Picchu.

India pivotal role in the Exodus Conservation Project in Bhandavgarh, from 2005 to Mohan collaborated with to provide locals with they needed for effective management and spent time empowering local communities to alternative, sustainable sources

Showing a keen interest social and environmental tourism, Mohan also with us to provide school in Tala with better infrastructure.

Co-Founder of the communitybased tour company, Secret Paradise, Ruth’s passion lies in supporting the local Maldives community through employment and training opportunities.

Coordinating with NGOs, she educates her guides on sustainable practices so they can provide guest presentations on topics like coral reef preservation and waste management. The company also regularly supports clean up events, tree planting and educational events within the community.

MIKE STEWART Thailand

Operator and partner, Mike has collaborated on a number of social and environmental initiatives over the years including working with networks on the ground to develop community-based tourism in Myanmar, improving elephant welfare with World Animal Protection in Northern Thailand and Laos, and helping to train locals on midwifery in remote villages in Indonesia. He is particularly passionate about animal welfare and social welfare for marginalised groups.

JOHNNY VILLALOBOS Costa Rica

Renowned naturalist and Exodus tour leader, Johnny Villalobos, has been guiding travellers since 1995. Taking a keen interest in educating younger generations about the importance of conservation, he’s played a pivotal role in the Exodus Travels Inspiration Project. Teaching conservation and nature activity workshops to primary school children, he leads groups to places in the rainforests that they wouldn’t have access to, so they can get a deeper understanding of the country’s unique biodiversity.

Tanzania

Land Operator for The Safari Trails, is actively recruiting female crew helping to empower and encourage their transition from guides on Kilimanjaro. roles on Kilimanjaro are a predominantly male so Paulo is working with female porters to break social stigmas. A few now being led with a 90% crew. He is also passionate recycling programme, Trace, where porters litter on the mountain.

Managing partner of responsible tourism company, Green Visions, Thierry, has been at the forefront of sustainable tourism development throughout the Via Dinarica. He has also been involved with the creation of Eko Akcija, a citizens mobilisation organisation for the protection of the environment, and establishing Balkan Green, a regional sustainable tourism organisation that coaches and audits businesses to ensure they comply with the GSTC’s global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism.

PEDRO PEDROSA Portugal

Pedro, Operator Partner for Portugal, has been actively involved in building reforestation partnerships with local companies and government authorities since Portugal’s devastating forest fires in 2017. Introducing company staff volunteering days, Pedro and his team have participated in volunteer reforestation work on a regular basis and aim to invite like-minded travellers to help in the effort of reforesting the former Atlantic pine forests in the centre of Portugal.

ANDY MCKEE UK, Zambia & Laos

Andy is Exodus tour leader and founder of Baraka, an NGO that supports projects in rural and suburban communities in Laos and Zambia. Working for over 15 years on development initiatives, Andy has been involved in building classrooms, sanitation facilities and developing water provision projects. His recent initiatives with Exodus Travels have brought bees and their hives to the Baraka Learning Centre in Zambia and provided books and school supplies for Ou Book Boat in northwest Laos.