Turkey culture & history tour

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Our Turkey tour promotes carbon reduction by prioritizing land transport, reducing the need for internal flights. Shared transport, such as buses, are utilized throughout the tour to minimize CO2 emissions per person. The trip includes low-carbon human-powered activities such as walking tours, specifically on days when exploring places like Ephesus and Cappadocia. We actively advise customers on minimizing their carbon footprint, encouraging the use of public transport when exploring Istanbul on their own. While accommodations primarily use traditional energy sources, we ensure they are committed to sustainability by incorporating local, seasonal foods in their meal plans. This supports local agriculture and reduces emissions linked to transporting food long distances. Each day offers vegetarian and vegan meal options. Additionally, the historical and cultural focus of the tour connects travelers with local life, further reducing the carbon footprint that high-energy tourist activities could create.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Our tour engages with accommodations that implement environmentally-friendly practices, such as waste reduction and recycling. For instance, several accommodations have adopted measures for water conservation, and practices that focus on minimizing plastic usage. This trip includes visits to natural wonders and historical sites such as Pamukkale and Cappadocia, each emphasizing the importance of conserving these areas' unique biodiversity. Entry fees to places like Pamukkale contribute to the conservation and maintenance of these sites. We actively support local guides who provide insights on reducing environmental impact and preserving local flora and fauna, enriching the travelers' understanding and connection with nature. While exploring these stunning locales, we also raise awareness about invasive species and their potential threats. Our pledge with World Animal Protection ensures that all animal interactions are ethical, prioritizing the welfare and natural habitats of wildlife, enhancing the overall environmental responsibility of the tour.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

The Turkey tour exemplifies support for the local economy by predominantly partnering with locally-owned accommodations, ensuring that tourism revenue directly benefits the community. Engaging local guides enriches the travel experience with authentic perspectives and supports job creation within the communities visited. Our itinerary includes visits to regional craft markets and traditional village sites, like the vineyard village of Sirince. These interactions provide opportunities for travelers to purchase local handicrafts, further injecting financial resources into the local economy. Additionally, the use of local transportation services as opposed to international chains helps sustain the livelihoods of local transport operators, creating a ripple effect of economic benefits across the regions visited, from Istanbul to Cappadocia.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY, AND DIVERSITY

Our commitment to inclusivity is demonstrated through hiring practices that prioritize local employment. A large percentage of our staff and partners are native to the regions we explore, bringing invaluable local knowledge and fostering a genuinely immersive travel experience. We provide income opportunities for marginalized groups, including women and indigenous peoples, particularly in roles as guides or artisans. The fair wage policy ensures all partners and staff receive at least the local minimum wage. Our strategy embraces diversity, promoting equal employment opportunities irrespective of race, gender, or sexual orientation. The tour is LGBTQ+ friendly, and while the journey involves trekking, we emphasize inclusivity where possible, making certain aspects of the trip accommodating to individuals with varied needs. While we do not operate a Trip for a Trip scheme, our focus remains on community support and engagement at each destination, ensuring responsible and culturally sensitive tourism practices.