Regenerative Tourism

This past July, on the In the Wake of the Vikings: A Voyage from Iceland to Greenland expedition, we sailed along the Tunulliarfik Fjord and visited the settlement of Qassiarsuk, home to fewer than 100 people. As we explored the town, including the original house of Erik the Red, church bells rang at the base of a hill. A wedding was taking place, the bride entering the small chapel in traditional festive Greenlandic dress of furs and intricate beading. We watched as she and her groom walked down the main street, two girls trotting beside them dressed in pink. It was a heartwarming sight, but we continued on our way, lowering our cameras to avoid intruding on their special day. These moments are unique to expedition travel. Exploring some of the most pristine coastlines on Earth and having opportunities to witness the intricacies of everyday life in these isolated corners of the world are especially wonderful experiences. But, as responsible travellers, it is equally important to keep our distance and respect the dignity of the people and places we visit. In 2015, the United Nations put forward its Sustainable Development Goals, a blueprint for global prosperity and peace with the aim of addressing inequality and promoting economic growth in every country (developed and developing) while tackling climate change. The list of priorities includes making cities and settlements safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable; protecting and promoting the sustainable use of ecosystems; and boosting local economies and increasing employment opportunities. Adventure Canada knows that, in a new era of tourism, it is more important than ever to be environmentally and socially conscious. For travellers who want to explore the world with positive impact, the

UN guidelines can be used as a tool for selecting the best travel company. Adventure Canada believes that healthy cultures, ecosystems, and economies go hand in hand, and strives to address as many of these suggestions as possible. • Expedition education programs offer our guests immersive and inclusive programs with top leaders in their fields. These enriching programs provide lifelong learners with opportunities to learn, share, and take action during and after every expedition. • Adventure Canada advocates and provides opportunities for strong women in leadership, including offering professional development at Adventure Canada headquarters and on Expedition Teams. • Adventure Canada purchases Inuit art and locally produced products from Arctic communities and sells them onboard, supporting economic prosperity and cultural preservation in the North. • Our Taste of Place program features locally farmed, foraged, and sea-to-table foods. • Scientists-in-residence and young explorers join Adventure Canada expeditions to further their research and share their findings on the impacts of climate change. • Adventure Canada consults on policy developments throughout the regions we operate in, including the interim management plan for Tallurutiup Imanga, one of Canada’s newest and largest national marine conservation areas. • Through Fly it Forward, Adventure Canada carbon offsets staff flights, providing funding to the Groundswell Network Society for food, energy waste, water, and climate-education programs. • Across Nunavut, Adventure Canada and Parks Canada are working together to develop sustainable and safe visitation guidelines to some of Canada’s most isolated and sensitive areas, providing economic benefit to Inuit and protecting cultural and ecological integrity.