Sustainable tourism:5 startups that help design conscious and regenerative trips

Sustainable tourism may seem like an abstract ideal, but putting it into practice becomes much easier thanks to these five startups.

• Six out of ten Italians try to practice more sustainable tourism than in the past.
• The web is the most used tool for gathering information and making reservations.
• Planning tours that preserve the territory and contribute to the well-being of the local community is easier thanks to these startups:Friland, Sharewood, Orma Guides, Triwey and Ruralis.

A conscious and respectful way of travelling, which focuses on environmental, social and economic sustainability, and seeks to leave a positive impact on the territory and the local community.And the sustainable tourism and regenerative, an approach that is conquering a growing number of people.According to the 13th Relationship by Fondazione UniVerde and Noto Sondaggi, 60 percent of Italians plan trips that are attentive to man and the environment and 53 percent are willing to spend a little more to take eco-friendly holidays.Also thanks to the numerous startups which simplify and speed up the organization of stays dedicated to sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism is no longer a niche

According to Sustainable tourism forum 2024, the meeting organized every year by Global sustainable tourism council Italy working group, “Tourism will increasingly be characterized by sustainability and regeneration.Also pushing in this direction traveler requests, who today are much more attentive than in the past to the footprint generated by their movements on the territories and communities visited".From the investigation Italians and sustainable tourism carried out by Ipsos and Altroconsumo, it emerges that 69 percent of Italians are aware of howovertourism is a real problem and agrees on the usefulness of organizing "tourist education" programs to raise people's awareness of a more respectful way of travelling.Fortunately, the situation is already improving.The 13th Report by the UniVerde Foundation and Noto Sondaggi reveals that 82 percent of our compatriots see the constraint of sustainability for tourism development positively and 72 percent consider responsible tourism a good choice, so much so that they ask environmental standards increasingly higher by the host structures.The web, and in particular search engines, are the most used tools for finding information and booking.Today, planning trips based on sustainable tourism is easier thanks to startups such as Friland, Sharewood, Orma Guides, Triwey and Ruralis, which are part of the ecosystem of LifeGate Way.

5 startups in the sustainable tourism sector

• Friland
• Sharewood
• Orma Guides
• Triwey
• Ruralis

Friland

A stay in direct contact with nature, immersed in suggestive contexts, lulled by the sounds and colors of the surrounding landscape, in total respect for the'environment.That's what it offers Friland, a Friulian startup that produces small housing units on wheels and places them in selected rural and mountain places, endowed with a special charm, isolated and not affected by mass tourism.The nomadic rooms, which can accommodate two people, are made of natural materials such as wood and are off grid, that is, they do not require a connection to the water and sewerage network.The solar panels provide electricity, while a system of internal cisterns replaces the water system.

Each accommodation lasts for a few days and offers all the comforts of a small home:a double bed, a mini kitchen and a minimal bathroom complete with everything you need.There is also a small monitor that provides real-time information on consumption, designed to encourage conscious use of resources.The startup wants to incentivize a slow tourism and sustainable that allows travelers to take a break from the daily frenzy reconnecting with nature, impacting the environment as little as possible.

Sharewood

To inspire travelers and satisfy their desire for adventure, giving them unforgettable experiences of openness to the world that are at the same time original, authentic and ecological.This is the mission of Sharewood, a tour operator made up of people who love to explore every corner of the earth and plan experiential, active and aware travel, also thanks to the collaboration with local realities that share the same attitude.

On the portal you can find many tours and itineraries, carefully selected and developed together with local partners.Simply enter the location or category to view all the proposals.From nature treks to safaris, from cycling itineraries to cultural self-drives, from gulet cruises to train tours, you will be spoiled for choice.Whether you want to leave for a distant destination or a weekend in Italy, alone or as a couple, in a group or with a friend, Sharewood is a point of reference for designing a stay that will leave unique memories and a new awareness of self and environment.

Orma Guides 

Orma Guides it's a digital and urban guide platform that promote ethical and sustainable tourism.Instead of providing classic mass tourism information, in fact, for each city they collect services, events, attractions, accommodation, shops and venues that have a positive social and environmental impact and support transformation.The basic idea is to make the journey an experience circular and regenerative:if the city offers travelers experiences and adventures, tourists can do their part to improve and support the city itself.

For Orma Guides, tourists can be gods agents of change and improvement, moving in a sustainable way and actively participating in social projects.At the moment it makes available the guides to nine cities, which include entities selected on the basis of principles such as inclusiveness, cultural richness, green mobility, support for the local economy and authentic craftsmanship, the promotion of non-profit initiatives and zero waste practices, attention to ethical and responsible supply chains.

Triwey

Combining holidays with charity is the mission of Triwey, the portal of trips with a social and environmental focus which transforms online bookings around the world into donations for non-profit projects.All this, at no extra cost to travellers.For each requested destination, the platform compares more than 70 travel sites to guarantee the cheapest offer relating to facilities that meet certain ethical and environmental requirements.Once the best proposal has been identified, the user can select it social cooperative to which you want to allocate the support and then book your stay directly on your favorite portal.

The user does not have to pay any additional costs because the charitable contribution is paid by Triwey which, in turn, is supported through the commission received from the travel agencies for which it provides traffic and bookings.The donation amount appears directly next to the booking amount.Reforestation and tree planting, protection of endangered animals, fight against hunger, support for education and training, healthcare for people in need, cleanliness and environmental protection are some of the causes supported by Triwey.

Ruralis 

Support i homeowners in disadvantaged and little-known areas and grow the tourism in small villages are the two objectives that led to the birth of Ruralis, one innovative startup which helps to better manage short-term rentals where there is the greatest need for economic and social development.The company specializes in digital management of facilities, deals with all those online activities necessary to attract and manage tourists, such as uploading the property to travel agency sites, updating prices, communicating with guests, organizing payments.In this way, the owners can focus exclusively on welcoming.

The startup wants to promote sustainable rural tourism that contributes to rebirth of small municipalities, places that are often forgotten but which can offer truly authentic holiday experiences.Furthermore, it encourages eco-friendly practices among owners and visitors.