About Tours of Distinction

Our commitment to environmental sustainability involves implementing practices that conserve natural resources, minimize waste, and reduce the overall impact on the environment.

1) Energy efficiency: Reducing energy consumption by working with businesses with energy-efficient technologies and practices, such as LED lighting, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, and motion-activated light switches.

2) Renewable energy: Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydro power to minimize reliance on non-renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at our headquarters.

3) Waste reduction: Implementing recycling and composting programs, reducing packaging materials, and promoting waste reduction practices among employees, customers and vendors.

4) Water conservation: Reducing water usage by working with communities installing low-flow fixtures, using drought-tolerant landscaping, and implementing rainwater harvesting systems.

5) Supply chain management: Working with suppliers and partners who share the same commitment to environmental sustainability and adhere to eco-friendly practices.

6) Education and awareness: Promoting environmental sustainability awareness among employees, customers, and the wider community through educational programs, workshops, and events. ....less

NTA, ABA, ASTA, IATA ....less

Supporting the economic impacts of travel is essential for promoting sustainable tourism, creating jobs, and fostering local development to preserve local cultures all over the world. Your efforts focus on doing the following:

1) Encourage local spending: Promote locally-owned businesses, such as accommodations, restaurants, and shops, to ensure that tourism revenue benefits the local community.

2) Diversify tourism offerings: Develop a range of tourism experiences, such as cultural tours, outdoor activities, and food and wine experiences, to attract diverse travelers and extend the tourism season.

3) Support small businesses: Provide training, resources, and marketing assistance to help small businesses capitalize on tourism opportunities and compete with larger companies.

4) Promote sustainable tourism practices: Encourage businesses to adopt environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices, such as energy-efficient operations and support for local conservation efforts.

5) Develop local skills: Provide training and education opportunities for locals to gain the skills needed to work in the tourism industry, such as language proficiency, customer service, and hospitality management.

6) Collaborate with stakeholders: Engage local communities, businesses, and government agencies in tourism planning and decision-making processes to ensure that tourism development benefits all stakeholders.

7) Utilize technology: Leverage digital platforms, mobile applications, and social media to promote tourism offerings, facilitate bookings, and enhance the visitor experience.

....less

Responsible tourism is crucial for ensuring that travel and tourism have a positive impact on local communities, the environment, and cultural heritage. Here are some strategies we utilize to promote responsible tourism:

1) Educate travelers: Provide information about local customs, traditions, and appropriate behavior to help tourists respect the local culture and environment.

2) Collaborate with local communities: Involve locals in tourism planning and development to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed, and the benefits of tourism are distributed fairly.

3) Support local businesses: Encourage travelers to buy from local artisans, eat at locally-owned restaurants, and stay in locally-owned accommodations to support the local economy.

4) Encourage sustainable practices: Promote eco-friendly transportation, waste reduction, water conservation, and energy efficiency to minimize the environmental impact of tourism.

5) Protect natural and cultural heritage: Implement measures to protect sensitive ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and historical sites from over-tourism and degradation.

6) Promote off-the-beaten-path destinations: Encourage travelers to explore lesser-known destinations to reduce pressure on popular tourist hotspots and spread the economic benefits of tourism more evenly.

7) Establish guidelines and regulations: Set clear standards for tourism businesses and operators to ensure they adhere to responsible practices and prioritize sustainability.

8) Foster community pride: Encourage locals to appreciate the value of their cultural heritage and natural environment, and actively participate in preserving them for future generations.


....less

We’ve been providing life-enriching experiences putting you at the heart of the destination and creating lasting memories for over 50 years. Our expert service, guidance and years of guided group tour experiences help make all the difference. ....less

Featured in USA Today, Benzinga, DailyMail, FOX News, CNN, MarketWatch, Hartford Magazine, ABC, ABA ....less

Cultural preservation is a crucial aspect of promoting diversity, fostering respect, and ensuring that future generations of travelers can appreciate and learn from the past. Here are some key strategies we implement for promoting cultural preservation:

1) Education: Develop educational programs and materials that teach about cultural heritage, raise awareness of its importance, and promote cultural literacy.

2) Collaboration with communities: Engage local communities in preservation efforts, ensuring that their perspectives and expertise are incorporated into travelers experiences.

3) Preservation of cultural sites: Support the protection and restoration of historical buildings, monuments, and cultural landscapes to preserve their authenticity and ensure they can be enjoyed by future generations.

4) Accessibility: Ensure that cultural sites and resources are accessible to the public, while balancing this with the need for protection and conservation.

5) Intangible heritage: Promote the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional music, dance, art, and craftsmanship, through workshops, events, and support for practitioners.

6) Language preservation: Support the revitalization of endangered languages through educational programs and community visits.

7) Sustainable tourism: Encourage sustainable tourism practices that respect local cultures and contribute to their preservation.
....less

Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies ....less

If you are concerned about the environmental footprint, small group travel is structured to leave a lighter footprint on a destination. For example, traveling in a group leaves a much lighter carbon footprint than if each person in the group hired an individual car. A small group also offer the added benefit of utilizing more local restaurants, guides, and hotels giving a little more back to the community we are visiting. ....less

We specialize in multi-day adventures to 7-14 day national and international journeys of a lifetime. Our groups are small enough to make you feel like you are discovering a destination on your own and yet social enough to create a great convivial vibe of like minded people. Our tours strive to strike the right balance between planned activities and free time, after all, we don’t want to cramp your style, we want you to have fun and improvise too! ....less

Some key areas of social responsibility that Tours of Distinction focuses on include:
1) Environmental sustainability: Implementing eco-friendly practices to reduce waste, conserve resources, and mitigate climate change impacts.

2) Ethical labor practices: Ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal opportunities for all employees and contracted workers.

3) Philanthropy and community engagement: Supporting charitable causes, local initiatives, and investing in the development of the communities where we live and operate our tours.

4) Responsible governance: Maintaining transparency, accountability, and adhering to high ethical standards in business operations and decision-making.

5) Diversity and inclusion: Fostering a workplace culture that values and respects the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of all employees. ....less