Travel Counsellors launches ‘Enriching Escapes’ itineraries

This month, we’ve announced the addition of a curated selection of itineraries integrated into our advanced itinerary software, TC Journeys, that are designed to reduce carbon emissions and boost positive impacts for destinations.

Developed with the support of sustainable tourism charity, the Travel Foundation, the project aims to ensure that tourism has more of a positive impact on destinations. It’s the first time they have directly supported a tour operator to create multi-day itineraries.

The itineraries are seamlessly integrated into TC Journeys, which is powered by our digital platform, Phenix, enabling our business owners to offer premium, more eco-conscious holiday experiences. This marks a pivotal step in our ongoing commitment to responsible tourism as well as building on our success as a tour operator.

Exclusive to Travel Counsellors, the collection features eight bespoke designed itineraries focused on Costa Rica, Cambodia and Thailand. These include dining at a social enterprise restaurant in Siem Reap aimed at upskilling disadvantaged communities; meeting Costa Rica’s Boruca Indigenous Community and learning how to make their vibrant Boruca masks; and exploring Thailand by rail, giving customers the chance to explore lesser-visited destinations such as Ayutthaya. Each trip has gone through an assessment process to reduce environmental impact, support local economies, and protect cultural heritage, all while offering travellers meaningful, memory-filled experiences.

The demand for responsible travel is reflected in our recent Travel Tracker report, which surveyed 2,000 consumers. The findings revealed that 45% of respondents said that recent news about climate change has made them consider more responsible travel options, with this figure rising to 55% for those aged 16-24.

Joe Whittle, Sustainability and Impact Lead at Travel Counsellors, said: “Our mission has always been to create bespoke travel experiences that make a positive difference. Through our partnership with the Travel Foundation, we’ve introduced a fresh perspective on itinerary design - one that ensures tourism delivers meaningful benefits to destinations. The journeys that have been created showcase the best of each region, help to build lasting memories for our customers, and empower our community of travel entrepreneurs to champion holidays with responsibility in mind. Together, we’re creating small but powerful changes in how the world is explored.”

Rebecca Armstrong, Head of Impact at the Travel Foundation, said: “In collaboration with Travel Counsellors and their destination partners, we've drawn on our decades of experience to create a simple framework that helps ensure each decision — whether it’s the choice of transport, accommodation, or activities — is thoughtfully designed to maximise positive impacts.

“The framework is a practical tool that identifies ways to reduce or design out negative impacts and build in opportunities to support local communities and the environment. For instance, itineraries under this framework should prioritise locally owned accommodation, use local guides and avoid things like single-use plastics. The end result is as much about improving the experience for customers as it is about influencing suppliers to raise the bar. If widely adopted, this approach can truly transform how the industry operates in destinations.”

The itineraries are part of a broader, significant investment in TC Journeys, with a focus on the premium leisure market. Since its launch last year, Thailand, the USA and, Vietnam have emerged as particularly popular choices, with our independent business owners able to browse a curated list of itineraries to these destinations and tweak them to perfectly match the needs of their customers.

Whether you’ve got a personal passion for responsible travel or want to empower people to use travel as a force for good, Travel Counsellors offers the perfect opportunity through its award-winning platform, best-in-class wraparound support, and like-minded community of entrepreneurs. Want to be part of something truly special? Book onto one of our relaxed Discovery events to learn more about becoming a Travel Counsellor.