Student Education Travel Organisation (SETO) Articles

DMC Vetting Process: Building Trust Through Transparency

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:51:27 GMT

With thanks to Altura Travel Group for this article

In the travel industry, who you partner with is everything. For the Australian and New Zealand travel trade, finding a truly reliable DMC can be a challenge. My commitment at Altura Travel Group is simple: to connect you with only the most trustworthy, professional, and values-driven Destination Management Companies (DMCs) around the world. Every partner I recommend undergoes a comprehensive and multi-layered vetting process, designed not only to reassure you but also to save valuable time. This is more than due diligence; it’s about building partnerships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared values.

A Rigorous Vetting Framework

Before partnering with Altura Travel Group, every DMC must meet an extensive list of essential criteria. These requirements ensure that each partner operates at the highest possible standard of safety, service, and sustainability. Here’s a look at how we do it:

Operational & Legal Compliance:Every DMC must provide proof of licensing, up-to-date insurances, trade references, and industry memberships. I look at their years in operation and seek confirmation from trade references who can vouch for their reliability.
Service Delivery & Quality Assurance:The AU/NZ market has clear expectations for quality and quick turnaround times. That’s why I require assurances on turnaround times for itineraries and amendments (24–48 hours), comprehensive day-by-day detail, and robust processes for customisation. Drivers and guides are a cornerstone of service delivery, so I review the DMC's process for hiring, qualifications, ongoing training, and ability to remain contactable in remote regions. Accommodation, food safety, and vehicle standards are also required.
Emergency, Risk & Safety Management:Safety is non-negotiable. Each partner must demonstrate detailed emergency procedures, a full risk management plan, and confirm regular first aid training and certifications for staff on the ground.
Business & Communication Protocols:Clear communication is the backbone of successful operations. I require a dedicated AU/NZ market contact, a defined escalation process, and preferred communication channels for both day-to-day and urgent matters. Standard operating procedures for booking, payment, and cancellations must also be in place.
Financial & Pricing Transparency:Payment methods, currencies, and any applicable merchant fees must be clearly outlined upfront.
Responsible Tourism:Ethical alignment is paramount. I only work with partners who demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainability, community benefit, environmental protection, animal welfare, and child safety.
Client Feedback: Each must also have robust systems for complaint handling, client feedback, and performance tracking.

Beyond the Checklist

While documentation is vital, I conduct personal reference checks with multiple operators and assess each DMC’s industry reputation. A strong partner must not only meet the standards on paper but also demonstrate reliability, integrity, and empathy in practice.

Why It Matters

By holding every partner accountable to these exacting standards, Altura Travel Group ensures that we have confidence in every recommendation we make to the Australian and New Zealand travel trade. Our approach reduces your workload and guarantees that the partners I recommend are safe, professional, and truly exceptional at what they do.

alturatravelgroup.com

Camps International named Best Sustainable Tour Operator at Global Youth Travel Awards 2025

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 23:58:00 GMT

With thanks to Camps International for this article.

Camps International, a leading provider of educational and community-based travel experiences for young people, has been awarded “Best Sustainable Tour Operator” at the 2025 Global Youth Travel Awards — presented this year during World Youth Student & Educational Travel Conference (WYSTC).

This accolade recognises Camps International’s long-standing dedication to sustainable, ethical travel — offering young people the chance to engage with global issues, contribute hands-on to community and conservation projects, and return home with renewed global awareness and responsibility.

Turning Travel into Impact

Over more than two decades, Camps International has defined what responsible student travel can be. Their expeditions enable students to step outside the classroom and work side-by-side with local communities, directly contributing to long-term positive change.

In the past two years alone, participants have completed 209 community and conservation projects worldwide, contributing more than 450,000 hours of hands-on work.

Since 2023, students have planted over 6,000 trees and helped protect 85,000 acres of land.

95% of students reported increased global awareness, independence and resilience following their expeditions.

These figures underscore the tangible difference that purpose-driven travel can make. Not only in environments and communities but in shaping the minds and values of young people.

A Shared Achievement

“This award is a testament to the dedication of our students, schools, staff and partner communities around the world,” said Rory Hall, Director Asia Pacific, Camps International (Australia). “It celebrates the belief that young people, when given the opportunity to engage meaningfully with global challenges, can create genuine and lasting change.”

Camps International sees this award as meaningful encouragement to continue strengthening its community partnerships and creating opportunities for even more young people to engage in responsible, purpose-driven travel.

campstinternational.com/aus

Infuse Travel is now a Certified B Corp

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 03:05:42 GMT

With thanks to Infuse Travel for this article

A huge congratulations to Infuse Travel for becoming a certified B Corp. The B Corp movement is certainly growing within educational travel and the role it plays in driving meaningful, responsible experiences for young people. Infuse Travel share their experience of the B Corp journey below:

Big news, with a capital B. We are unbelievably proud to announce that Infuse is now a certified B Corporation!

B Corp is recognised globally as one of the most rigorous and credible standards in responsible business. Certified B Corporations envision a better economic system where businesses can benefit people, communities, and the planet. They choose long-term investments over quick wins, and measure their success based on the positive impact they create.

Becoming a B Corp has been part of the vision for Infuse since establishing the brand in 2021. The result of a 14-month body of work led by our Director of Impact, Dr Kearrin Sims, we are thrilled to now stand alongside thousands of purpose led businesses across 80+ countries that are actively shaping a more regenerative and equitable future.

Positive impact has always been deeply ingrained into Infuse’s DNA, with our mission of promoting youth active citizenship through experiential learning programs that benefit people and the planet. Proudly independent, we’re the first Australian owned and headquartered educational travel company to be certified and join the B Corp movement.

B Corp certification helps complete our identity, validates our work so far, and commits us to continuous improvement. We believe travel can be used as a force for good in the world, and we’ll use this new certification to build on and strengthen our Theory of Change, as well as our ongoing practices of responsible tourism; supporting local communities, standing up for human rights, protecting wildlife, and preserving the environment. In other words, keep going!

Our Theory of Change closely aligns with B Lab’s own framework, with both recognising that systems change requires collective action. Like B Lab, we believe that meaningful transformation comes when businesses, communities, and individuals work together to shift the underlying structures of our economy toward equity and regeneration.

The B Corp journey challenged and strengthened our internal practices, from worker well-being, to governance, partner accountability, and environmental stewardship. We’re excited to share our initial B Impact Score is 92.6. While this is an achievement to be celebrated, we are also determined to increase our score with every review cycle and continue to develop strategies to ensure consistent progress.

Our newly achieved B Corp Certification is a vital step in:

Driving continual ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) improvement, using clear goals, indicators, and benchmarks to track and enhance our social and environmental performance.
Joining a global community of like-minded businesses working to build a regenerative, inclusive, and equitable economy.
Supporting the growth of regenerative tourism through knowledge sharing and advocating for models of travel that restore ecosystems, respect cultural heritage, and contribute meaningfully to host communities.
Upholding transparency and accountability through third-party verification and public disclosure of our impact.
Educating our community on what it means to be a B Corp and how business can be a force for good.

What does B Corp mean to us?

“B Lab’s rigorous certification process enabled us to critically review all aspects of our business against global benchmarks. While it validated Infuse’s areas of excellence – including our business models, community projects such as provision of housing in Cambodia, MEL (monitoring, evaluation & learning) framework and governance – it also highlighted deficiencies that we need to address. Integrity is one of our core values and we’re committed to the transparency and accountability that B Corp certification demands.

While we’re thrilled to announce that Infuse is now a certified B Corp, this watershed moment is only the start of a journey, not a destination; there’s so much more work to do in pursuing our vision. Becoming a B Corp helps complete our identity, commits us to continuous improvement and ensures accountability to all stakeholders. We are very excited to officially join a global community committed to leveraging business as a force for good.”

– Sam Murray, Infuse Founder and Director

“I couldn’t be more excited that Infuse has joined the B Corp Movement! We have always been an impact-driven business with a commitment to fostering youth active citizenship for more equitable and inclusive futures, but completing the certification process provided an invaluable opportunity to review and strengthen our impact across all domains of our business. Through certification, we have strengthened our data collection and analysis processes, and this has enabled us to better learn, adapt, and implement evidence-based best practice. Systems change can only be achieved collectively, and Infuse is now proudly part of the global movement that the B Lab is leading.”

– Dr Kearrin Sims, Infuse Director of Impact

With greenwashing on the rise, certifications like B Corp have become an important way to demonstrate genuine commitment to ethical and responsible business. For us at Infuse, B Corp certification reinforces that our programs and operations meet globally recognised standards for social and environmental performance – validating the purpose-driven approach that’s guided us from the start.

Travel as a force for good? Absolutely. Together, we’ll keep raising the bar.

The top 10 benefits of educational travel

Thu, 30 May 2024 02:29:09 GMT

With thanks to WorldStrides for this article

The impact an educational tour can impart on a student is immeasurable. Beyond the fun and adventure are incredible educational, social and interpersonal benefits that students can experience from travelling on an educational tour. Chief Academic Officer, Dr Wendy Amato Ph.D shares the top 10 benefits students gain from educational travel…

Better Academic Performance – On an educational tour, students get to experience different styles of teaching and see a new side to their subject of study. When able to see, touch and smell the very things they have learned about in books, students return to the classroom with a deeper connection and greater motivation for their studies.
A Global Perspective – Unfamiliarity and separation from home are great incubators for thought. New experiences will question one’s preconceived ideas. The enriching experience of educational travel encourages students to expand their world view, witness a new way of life and better understand people, history and culture.
Confidence – Living for any amount of time in a culture that’s different from home can help prepare students for the future in ways more profound than any camp or holiday can. Overcoming challenges while travelling help students grow confidence and prepare them for life’s obstacles.
Grit – Travelling away from the comfort of friends, family and familiar surroundings is tough. But doing it shows that a person is interested enough in the rest of the world, and confident enough to venture out and discover other parts of the world. This is a character trait that’s very appealing to employers.
Networking – Travel provides students with a global network of contacts and references. Plus, instead of relying on others’ opinions, travellers establish perspective, confidence and conviction that make it easier to gain the respect of others.
Growth & Independence – While away from home and the ease of a regular support system, students have opportunities to see what they are capable of accomplishing by themselves. Travelling allows students to develop themselves in ways that can’t be achieved without stepping outside of their comfort zone, becoming more mature, independent and self-aware.
Individuality – Travel provides experiences to define a person’s place and purpose and establishes lifelong values and priorities.
Career Opportunities – Employers view students that have travelled as well-rounded as they have shown not only a commitment to their education but a confidence to venture out and discover new things as well as their ability to adapt to new situations.
Appreciation – Getting away from home is also a chance to allow a student to realise what they miss most. Experiencing another place and culture is an opportunity to appreciate what they already have and realise the importance of the little things that often go unnoticed.
New Friends – Cultural immersion through travels can also help break down language barriers and open new channels of lifelong communication. Exploring a new place opens doors to establish new friendships and relationships that never would have been acquired without travelling.

Laying the Foundations of Housing Accessibility

Thu, 09 May 2024 21:30:00 GMT

With thanks to Infuse Travel for this article

Laying the Foundations of Housing Accessibility

Access to adequate housing is a basic human right that is denied to many people around the world.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) reports that 1.6 billion people live in inadequate housing, with 100 million people being displaced from their homes in 2022. Homelessness and poor-quality housing contribute to poverty, inequality, and a number of other forces of societal instability.

Challenges of housing accessibility and affordability are not limited to low-income countries. In fact, they are a prominent challenge for many young Australians. According to Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, Chair of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council:

“Prices and rents [in Australia] are growing faster than wages, rental vacancies are near all-time lows, 169,000 households are on public housing waiting lists, [and] 122,000 people are experiencing homelessness.”

As these statistics highlight, ensuring that all people have access to adequate, safe and affordable housing is a big and complex challenge. But it is also a challenge that many dedicated people and organisations are working hard to address.

Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to “Make Cities and Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe Resilient and Sustainable”, while Target 11.1 of the goal is to ensure, by 2030, “access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums”. To achieve Target 11.1 a wide range of multi-scalar and multi-sectoral actions are being taken.

One way that Infuse Travel is working to support SDG 11 is through our Cambodia house building projects. Partnering with a Cambodian-run non-profit organisation, Infuse has been supporting the construction of new timber homes in the south-eastern province of Kampong Cham. In 2023, for example, Victoria’s Cornish College were able to work with us to build 3 new houses in Kampong Cham – and Infuse plans to support the building of a further 4-5 houses later this year.

Construction underway in Kampong Cham, Cambodia where Infuse and Cornish College supported the build of 4 new timber houses.A student works to finish the walls in conjunction with local Cambodia workers.One of the new timber homes close to completion.

Kampong Cham is one of Cambodia’s most highly populated provinces and is home to both urban and rural communities, the latter growing many export crops including tobacco, soya-beans, and rubber.

The rural villages that Infuse Travel supports in Cambodia have been identified by the Cambodian NGO, who consult with local communities to understand where housing needs are greatest. Once a project has been identified, our visiting schools and students work alongside qualified local tradespeople to install flooring, walls and roofing. To help students better understand how their efforts contribute to both community needs and broader global challenges, housebuilding is also accompanied by focused learning activities that include self-reflection, discussions on global housing accessibility, and the sharing of local knowledge and expertise.

According to Cambodian government projections, Cambodia will need an estimated 1.1 million new houses by 2030 to meet the population’s needs.

Faced by such a daunting figure, our efforts may sometimes feel like they are just a drop in the ocean. Some really big systems changes are needed to tackle the global housing crisis, and we cannot ignore the enormity of this challenge. But nor should this lead us to feeling helpless!

Small scale changes can and do make meaningful impacts, particularly when made as part of a larger collective effort. In Cambodia, government, non-profit organisations, the private sector, and local communities are all actively working to address housing needs.

For students of Infuse programs, our housebuilding projects are designed to provide a direct opportunity to positively impact on host communities, as well as to begin a lifelong learning journey towards active global citizenship. Being an active part of change efforts can open our eyes and our hearts to the impact that we can have on the world if we choose to do so.

For the individuals and families that live in the new homes that we have collectively built, our small contribution to change can be truly transformative.

infusetravel.com.au

How travel connects to the classroom

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT

With thanks to WorldStrides for this article.

Travelling creates stronger teachers, and in turn stronger students. Studies continuously show how travel improves academic performance, and there are learning opportunities for students before, during, and after you return from your tour. For teachers, travel is professional development at the highest level. Travel brings lesson plans to life for classrooms, and the benefits are shared by the entire school community.

Learning about your destination

Before you travel, there are endless academic opportunities available for students to explore their destination. From key moments in history, to the music that found its beat there, each destination holds a vault of information. Humanities classrooms can explore the literature, sociology, and language of a destination. Science classrooms study weather patterns, with each student making their prediction of what the weather on tour will be like. Use your tour as the setting for your next great lesson.

Developing research skills

Research skills have become entirely digital for many of our students. Take the learning offline and have students prepare questions for your local guides before you travel. Your students will be collecting primary sources that will reinforce their research. Take it to the next level and have students interview a local while on-tour. Students will understand the value of “authentic resources” and how the secondary sources taken off the internet don’t always tell the full story. What will students research? Use the itinerary to create a list of research topics, or have your students strengthen their intellectual curiosity skills by creating their own thesis statement.

Strong writing takes practice

Writing by hand may seem tedious to some, but the slow process gives your brain time to process the information. Have your students write each day to recount the experience by hand. Each student will create a narrative that makes sense to them, instead of the verbatim note-taking habits they sometimes fall into. In doing so, you will be helping students increase both reading comprehension and literacy as the brain must actively engage with what they are writing. These small snapshots of their experience can roll into a longer writing assignment after their tour in the form of a short story, or simply will become your students most valued souvenir.

Civics in the digital age

Our students seem to know their way around a phone or a computer better than we do. Let them use those skills for good. By capturing video and photographs, students can bring their experience home and educate their peers and community. You can bring the Daintree Discovery Centre back to the classroom with student curated content. Give students a specific topic to capture, or collectively get behind a specific cause. Deepen the learning experience by limiting the time students have to capture this content at each destination. This keeps them off their phones the entire time, while still giving them space for at least one good selfie.

Lesson plans come to life

When teachers travel, it shows up in their lesson plans. The amount of information available can seem overwhelming at times, but allowing educators the time and opportunity to explore their passions further can only heighten the learning that takes place when they return. Teachers capture the information shared on tour in a number of ways, and use the experiences to create context for their instruction. By sharing experiences with students, you open the world to the entire classroom. Students may be unaware of how diverse and information-rich the world is, and first-hand experiences help broaden that perception. Primary sources, whether in the form of photos or video, motivate students to collect their own meaningful sources and seek out travel experiences of their own.

Regardless of what year level or subject area you teach, your tour and classroom instruction can work hand in hand. You will be creating a unique learning experience for all your students; one that will stay with them for life.

This article has been written for WorldStrides by Walter Doyle, English teacher and co-founder of Kids N Culture, an academic enrichment program designed for high school students.

worldstrides.com.au

The transformative power of self-reflection on student expeditions

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 23:00:00 GMT

With thanks to World Challenge for this article.

In today’s dynamic educational landscape, student expeditions stand out as pivotal experiences that transcend traditional learning paradigms. Offered by organisations like World Challenge, these journeys are not merely explorations of the world but deep dives into the inner self.

Expeditions offer an exceptional learning canvas, where each step taken in a foreign land parallels strides in personal growth and understanding. This unique learning environment, blending adventure and cultural immersion, provides fertile ground for the development of crucial life skills. Central to this is self-reflection, a process where students critically examine their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It serves as a pillar for personal development, enhancing decision-making and emotional intelligence. As students encounter various challenges, both physical and cultural, self-reflection helps them process their experiences, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

Enhancing Critical Thinking and Emotional Growth

Self-reflection is a catalyst for developing critical thinking and emotional maturity. It encourages students to analyse and interpret their experiences, leading to more informed decisions and innovative problem-solving. This reflective process is not confined to intellectual development; it significantly contributes to emotional growth. Students learn to understand and manage their feelings, developing resilience in the face of adversity and empathy towards others. These skills, cultivated in the diverse and often challenging environments of expeditions, are essential for students’ academic and personal success.

Fostering Cultural Sensitivity and Global Citizenship

Exposure to diverse cultures during expeditions is a gateway to fostering cultural sensitivity and global citizenship. Self-reflection allows students to process these cultural interactions deeply, leading to an appreciation of diversity and an understanding of global interconnectedness. This aspect of expeditions is crucial in today’s global society, as it prepares students to thrive in multicultural environments and fosters respect and empathy for different ways of life.

The Role of Teachers and Parents in Facilitating Self-Reflection

Teachers and parents play a critical role in nurturing the habit of self-reflection. They can encourage students to engage in reflective practices by initiating discussions, providing reflective tools such as journals, and guiding them through structured reflection activities. Emotional support is equally vital; creating a safe and supportive environment allows students to freely express and process their emotions. By actively facilitating these practices, educators and parents can significantly enhance the developmental benefits of student expeditions.

Long-Term Impact of Self-Reflection

The benefits of self-reflection extend far beyond the duration of the expedition. It lays the foundation for lifelong learning and self-improvement. Students develop the habit of regularly examining their life experiences, a skill that is invaluable in their future personal and professional lives. This ongoing practice of reflection helps them navigate life’s challenges with greater awareness and adaptability.

Self-reflection during expeditions also helps students broaden their perspectives, challenging preconceived notions and biases. It encourages a mindset of openness and curiosity, essential for personal growth and learning. Through self-reflection, students gain insights into different ways of living and thinking, which can profoundly influence their attitudes and values.

To conclude, self-reflection is not just a component of student expeditions; it’s the heartbeat. It transforms these journeys from mere physical travel to profound personal journeys. By facilitating self-reflection, educators and parents can help students unlock the full potential of these experiences, ensuring they embark on a path of not just exploring the world but also discovering themselves. The lessons learned and the growth attained through these reflective practices resonate long after the expeditions shaping students into thoughtful, empathetic, and well-rounded individuals.

Written by Alan Ward
Images by Thom Bell & World ChallengeTravellers

https://weareworldchallenge.com/

Empowering Students to Transform the Environment: Ethical Journeys with Impact

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 23:28:53 GMT

With thanks to Camps International CEO and Co-Founder Stuart Rees Jones for this article.

Empowering Students to Transform the Environment: Ethical Journeys with Impact

In today's world, it is crucial to equip younger generations with the skills, knowledge, and empathy needed to address our environmental challenges. Ethical Journeys with Impact, an innovative approach spearheaded by an organisation committed to environmental stewardship, reshapes perceptions and empowers students, schools, and parents. Camps International is nurturing a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals by providing expeditions that focus on ecological stresses and biodiversity.

Redefining Educational Expeditions

These expeditions revolutionise educational expeditions, traditionally detached from the natural world, by offering a fresh perspective and striving to immerse students in meaningful experiences within natural environments, fostering a deep appreciation for the beauty and interconnectedness of the ecosystem. Through hands-on activities, such as reforestation, wildlife conservation, and sustainable development projects, students profoundly understand the environmental challenges we face.

Research consistently highlights the myriad benefits of out-of-school learning experiences, such as expeditions, for students. Numerous studies have demonstrated that these immersive activities profoundly impact students' cognitive, social, and emotional development. Participating in expeditions fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of complex ecological systems. Moreover, research indicates that out-of-school learning promotes increased self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of personal responsibility towards the environment. By stepping outside the confines of traditional classrooms and engaging in real-world experiences, students gain a unique perspective that broadens their horizons and nurtures a lifelong passion for environmental conservation.

Transforming Perceptions about the Environment

Many students embark on these expeditions with limited exposure to the fragility of ecosystems and their connection to human actions. However, through immersive experiences, they witness the consequences of deforestation, habitat loss, and pollution. This transformative encounter compels students to re-evaluate their behaviours and become catalysts for change within their communities and can reshape environmental perceptions.

Skills and Knowledge for Environmental Resilience

Student expeditions and volunteering is not just about inspiring awareness; it equips participants with practical skills and knowledge to address environmental challenges. Through expert guidance and hands-on training, students understand sustainable practices, ecosystem management, and the importance of biodiversity. These skills extend beyond the expeditions, empowering students to implement real change in their local communities.

As a social enterprise close to the environmental cause, Camps International is able to play a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental challenges and the importance of resilience. Their educational programs under the umbrella of Real World Studies, acting as an additional resource for children to prepare for their on-ground experience at expeditions and prepares them to collaborate with local communities to promote environmental literacy. By empowering individuals with knowledge and skills, such enterprises foster a culture of environmental stewardship amongst the youth and adults alike.

Addressing Ecological and Biodiversity Stresses

Recognising the urgency of environmental stewardship, expeditions help students engage in reforestation projects, research, and collaboration with local communities. Through these initiatives, students contribute to preserving and restoring fragile ecosystems. Beyond conservation efforts, these experiences help improve cross-cultural understanding, and global citizenship. By immersing students in diverse cultures and communities, these journeys enable participants to appreciate the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors. This holistic approach solidifies their commitment to sustainable practices and responsible decision-making.

Empowering Gen Z: Nurturing Empathy and Self-Confidence

The younger Gen Z-ers have garnered significant attention for their unyielding commitment to addressing social issues head-on. Their refusal to accept passive ignorance has demonstrated the power of speaking up for peers and advocating for those who cannot. Young adults gain empathy by engaging in real-life experiences and immersing themselves in local communities. Encouraging children to support those in need fosters resilience and self-awareness and strengthens family bonds.

Through participating in experiences that involve helping others, young adults develop a genuine appreciation for their privileges. This newfound gratitude translates into a willingness to positively impact the world around them. By exposing children to these transformative experiences, parents play a vital role in nurturing empathy and shaping their children's outlook on the planet. Acknowledged for their efforts boosts their self-confidence and self-worth and reinforces their belief in their ability to effect meaningful change. This sense of satisfaction derived from making a difference further empowers them to continue playing an active role in society.

Conclusion

As parents and educators, it is crucial to support Gen Z in their quest to make a positive impact. By providing opportunities for real-life experiences and encouraging empathy, we equip young adults with the tools to navigate moral dilemmas and become compassionate leaders. We can nurture a generation that embraces social responsibility and works collaboratively towards a brighter future for all.

Ethical Journeys with Impact is driving a paradigm shift in how we approach environmental education. Camps International is nurturing a new generation of environmental leaders by empowering students to transform their perceptions, acquire practical skills, and address ecological stresses and biodiversity loss. As we confront the challenges of the 21st century, initiatives like Ethical Journeys with Impact provide hope and inspiration for a sustainable and thriving future. Let us embrace these transformative experiences and empower our youth to safeguard the planet they will inherit.

Why use a student educational tour operator?

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 01:47:57 GMT

Using a student educational tour operator can offer several benefits, such as:

Expertise and experience: An educational tour operator has the expertise and experience in organising educational trips for students, ensuring a smooth and memorable experience.
Safety and security: A tour operator can provide safety and security measures, such as emergency support, risk management, and travel insurance, to ensure the well-being of students on their trip.
Convenience: A tour operator can handle the details and logistics of the trip, freeing up teachers and staff to focus on educating and leading the students.
Customisable itineraries: A tour operator can work with schools to create a customised itinerary that meets their specific educational and budget needs.
Cost-effective: A tour operator can negotiate group rates for transportation, accommodation, and activities, making the trip more cost-effective for the school.

Overall, using a student educational tour operator can enhance the educational experience for students and provide peace of mind for teachers and staff.

The Millennial and Gen Z Travelers

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 01:08:29 GMT

An analysis of younger travellers sheds light on the need for businesses to be more integrated with digital technologies, with many takeaways that Student Educational Tour Operators could implement.

Younger travelers demand a more integrated digital journey, and the industry will be forced to respond. They will accelerate the digital way of life and popularize fringe technologies by 2027. Many are frequent travelers who are ‘self-service first,’ and they embrace biometrics and digital passes to benefit from travel efficiency and convenience.

Digital identities, border crossings, and mobile platforms offer ample opportunities for younger digital native travelers who are familiar with using their mobile phone as a remote control for travel; market share will increase as digital natives become a more significant proportion of the passenger demographic, creating a seismic shift towards ‘digital first.’

According to the WTTC 2022 Global Trends report, younger travelers were the first to drive industry recovery and steer post-pandemic travel trends.

There are encouraging signs toward ‘mobile-first travel.’ Apple Wallet’s support for digital identity and mobile driving licenses/US State IDs for travel marked an important milestone. The digital identities that underpin Digital Travel are part of a much bigger ecosystem, which relies on the next generation of self-service technology infrastructure, featuring integrated cloud, mobile, and biometric-enabled self-service touchpoints for check-in, bagdrop, border control, and boarding. The combination of digital identities with this infrastructure provides a seamless, touchless, and personalized travel experience while allowing travelers to remain firmly in control of their data.

Governments, companies, and standards bodies have been working hard to create the next generation of self-service travel infrastructure. SITA leads in delivering solutions where ‘your face is your passport and boarding pass’ and ‘your mobile is your remote control for travel,’ in a new paradigm underpinned by digital identity.

https://www.sita.aero/innovation/meet-the-megatrends/index.html

Spotlight on SETO Members - Educational Journeys

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 05:35:00 GMT

Business name:
Educational Journeys

Brief summary of your business?

Educational Journeys is Australian owned educational travel agency that has over 20 years of experience in creating curriculum linked student study tours to destinations around the globe. We believe in creating bespoke trips that are hassle-free, the best value, and well-organised.

Which destinations do you specialise in?

We have a global network of travel partners and the expertise and experience in both international and domestic destinations. With the ability to fully customise an itinerary to suit our clients educational needs, we specialise in meeting our clients educational goals, wherever that may be.

What are the advantages to your business as a SETO member?

Not only do SETO share our values in the importance of Educational Travel, being part of a community and governing body that represents the industry provides our business the opportunity to connect with like minded organisations. We are proud to be part of an organisation that is advocating for our industry, something that has been missing for so long and are excited to see SETO’s growth and the positive impacts that will follow for our industry.

What was the greatest challenges to your business in 2022?

There is no denying that we faced some of the most difficult years in travel with the pandemic. We have navigated many challenges but I think the greatest would be that many industry professionals left, taking with them a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Consumer travel forecasts, where are your customers enquiring to travel?
Europe or Australia

Looking forward what are you excited about over the next 12 months?

Our focus over the next 12 months is going to be on improving customer experience through implementation of new policies and technologies.

Benefits of Student Travel

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 02:39:06 GMT

Travel is its own form of education, which makes it one of the most important experiences a student can have.

Whether flying across the ocean, driving across state lines or visiting a big city nearby, travel can open a whole new world for our students, especially when done through school with a great teacher and expert tour operator.

From seeing different cultures to meeting new people and learning about history firsthand, student travel has a wealth of benefits that personal anecdotes and professional studies can attest to. There’s nothing like experiential learning, and travel provides the greatest experiences of all.

Let’s take a look at some of the many benefits of student travel.

Teaches independence. For many students, school trips are their main opportunity to experience what it’s like to be away from their family for an extended period of time. Even in a group of chaperones and fellow students, school trips let youth be a different version of themselves while taking on some personal responsibility. Travel is a great first-step in stepping out of your comfort zone, preparing kids for life after school.

Cultural awareness. Travel takes students out of their bubble and exposes them to all kinds of differences. For some students, simply seeing people experiencing homelessness firsthand is an eye-opening culture shock. For others, a trip out of the big city to experience rural life is novel. And of course, traveling internationally is lifechanging. Countless students have talked about how a school trip gave them more compassion for those struggling, helped them see how diverse other countries are (America’s not the only melting pot), and put life into perspective. Reading books and looking at pictures simply can’t do other cultures justice.

Critical thinking. Related to the above, seeing other cultures first-hand can help debunk myths and stereotypes students may have learned, which in turn increases their skepticism toward future falsities they’ll come across. While the internet connects us to other cultures in ways we never thought possible, the rise of misinformation means critical thinking is more important than ever before.

Improved academic performance through first-hand learning. Study after study has shown that travel increases intellectual curiosity and a willingness to learn and explore. Student travel also helps reinforce classroom material with experiential learning. If you’re a teacher, a museum trip can easily tie into something you’ve already taught (or plan to teach) this schoolyear, not to mention all the activities and discussion you can have once you’ve returned. No matter what your “learning style” is, experiential learning hits harder and lasts longer.

Creates collaboration. By nature of being together on a long trip, students are bound to form relationships and will likely end up experiencing things together in small groups. Lifelong memories will form, they’ll learn how to work and live with different personalities, and those relationships will stick when you’re back in the classroom (or band room, or choir room).

Builds trust. If a student is agreeing to go on a trip you’re leading, chances are they already trust you at least a little bit—but there’s nothing like the bonds that form through travel. Students will have to fully trust that you know what you’re doing, and may come to you when feeling homesick or dealing with bullying, sickness or other issues. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but the silver lining is that this provides a chance for you to impart wisdom and empathy to developing youths.

Lifelong memories. While not directly related to education, forming positive memories in association with student travel will help students think more positively about school in general. And besides, memories are their own reward.

There are far more benefits of student travel we haven’t listed here, but just to back this all up with some personal testimony, a 2019 post-tour student survey from EF Educational Tours found that:

93% of student travelers said their tour expanded their knowledge of the world

89% of travelers said they understand more about new people, places and cultures

88% of travelers said they grew more confident and independent

92% of travelers said they discovered more about themselves as a result of their tour

If 9 out of 10 students are seeing benefits like this from student travel, it’s clearly a critical part of our youth’s education.

Resource: https://teachtravel.org/2022/09/07/benefits-of-student-travel/

Spotlight on SETO Members - Student Horizons

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 23:06:46 GMT

Business name:

Student Horizons

Where are you located?

Sunshine Coast, Queensland and Auckland, New Zealand.

Brief summary of your business?

Student Horizons is a leading educational school travel company, providing life-shaping educational, music and sporting experiences in Australia and around the world. Our unifying purpose is to enrich the lives of young people, delivering “experience for life”.

Which destinations do you specialise in?

Student Horizons specialises in delivering school trips for students and teachers across Australia and around the globe. Popular short-haul destinations are New Zealand and Fiji and popular long-haul destinations include the USA, the UK and Europe. Domestically, Canberra is of course a rite of passage and far north Queensland is hard to beat with two world heritage sites. We are also seeing strong interest in our Outback tours.

What are the advantages to your business as a SETO member?

SETO membership brings a sense of belonging for the people in our business. We are already seeing a collegiality among members and this no doubt will assist with general wellbeing. As a board member of SETO, I can personally speak of the growing friendships I have made already with likeminded, passionate educational travel veterans. We have all been through some hard times and hence the collegiality that SETO fosters for the people in our sector is particularly valuable.

What have been the greatest challenges to your business in 2022?

The start of the year was difficult with the Omicron wave impacting confidence but in Term 2 we started to see a surge in tour enquiries and the enquiries have kept on coming. Despite strong enquiry levels the selling environment has remained challenging with low air capacity and high fuel prices resulting in high airfares and overall tour prices that are not attainable for many schools.

A lack of people in our business has also made it challenging in being able to keep up with the high level of enquiries.

Consumer travel forecasts, where are your customers enquiring to travel?

We are observing elevated levels of enquiries across the following international destinations: New Zealand, Fiji, USA, UK and Europe, Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia, and domestically Canberra and Far North Queensland.

How has your business changed and adapted since the global pandemic hit?

Like most businesses we had no choice but to reduce our cost base to a tiny % of pre-pandemic costs to survive. This unfortunately meant we had to relinquish offices and let go of many amazing people.

We adapted our product offering, developing new domestic educational products for Student Horizons with a focus on Canberra, Far North Queensland and the Outback. We are particularly proud of a unique “experiential careers program” we developed that received exceptional feedback from clients, partners and suppliers alike. We will retain these domestic offerings within our product portfolio that will sit alongside our international experiences.

Student Horizons will remain a leaner business with a refined focus on technology. We continue to add value to our integrated in-house sales, product, operations and client cloud platform. These improvements are helping us to simplify processes, gain efficiencies, save time and costs and add value to our client’s overall experience.

Looking forward what are you excited about over the next 12 months?

Quite simply we are looking forward to getting back to doing what we love. We have multiple school groups travelling to a raft of destinations domestically and around the world in 2023. We also expect some late international bookings for next year now that most schools and school associations have relaxed internal travel restrictions.

We are anticipating unprecedented levels of new enquiries in Term 1 next year if the last two terms are anything to go by. There is evidently a strong desire from teachers and school leadership to be once again offering experiential travel opportunities to their students as part of a holistic education.

Based on existing bookings made over the last 12 months and future demand forecasts we are thrilled to be finally able to look at staff recruitment in 2023.

On a personal note, I am excited to be back out there leading some of our groups as Logistics Director to Fiji, New Zealand and Canberra.

The fire is back in the belly. Bring on 2023.

Jamie Wansey - Founder, Student Horizons

Preparing students to be citizens of tomorrow: the benefits of immersive school expeditions

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 01:04:02 GMT

School expeditions and learning outside the classroom are all designed to challenge students on a physical, social, morale and mental level. It is not only an inspiring and collaborative time with their friends but allows students to engage in global issues introduced in the classroom in real-life situations.

The greatest opportunity for schools and teachers to empower young adults to give back is by incorporating learning outside the classroom programmes that encourage them to interact with local communities and develop essential life skills by exploring meaningful experiences overseas. Life skills and teaching our students to become responsible and contributing citizens are important - and involving young adults in experiential travel is an excellent way of teaching our future leaders the ropes in a guided and facilitated manner.

Why immersive school expeditions?

Authentic Experiences

Going ‘off grid’, away from the tourist trail coupled with authenticity from meaningful local interactions makes an immersive school expedition impactful. This, along with educating student travellers on cultural differences, engenders mutual respect between travellers and hosts and allows students to challenge their perspectives.

Meaningful Contributions

When young adults are given the opportunity to help build public amenities, plant trees or find practical solutions to ease food shortages, they learn how to overcome real-world challenges. They also gain first-hand experience of how their personal actions can contribute to the sustainable improvement of communities and the environment.

Creating Global Citizens

To be an effective Global Citizen, young adults must be flexible and proactive. Immersive expeditions provide the environment to develop life skills such as problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, communication and teamwork.

Personal Development Journey

They enable students to step outside of their comfort zone, gaining extra-curricular experience highly regarded by universities and employers. In addition, the health benefits are vast; improved positive mental health and wellbeing, greater resilience and self-awareness and lessened anxiety and stress for instance.

Camps International understand the need to provide these opportunities for your students and are passionate about delivering exceptional immersive school expeditions that connect you and your and students to the real world in destinations such as Kenya, Borneo, Cambodia and Peru.

While Camps International work towards achieving a number of UN Sustainable Development goals through sustainable projects, opportunities are abundant for students and teachers to make a difference, and the advantages are numerous, both for the traveller and the global community.

"Going on expedition has completely changed my global perspectives. It has made me a lot more determined to search for ways to help other people and go out of my comfort zone with new experiences.” – Emily Betteridge, 2019 travelling student to Kenya

About Camps International

Having operated for 20 years, Camps International offer life-changing school expeditions at their permanent camps across seven countries, in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Since its inception, 30,000 students and teachers have been on expeditions, working across 400 projects, impacting more than 120,000 lives across the globe. By participating in these expeditions, students and teachers develop essential real-life skills such as collaboration, decision making, analysis, and moral and cultural responsibility while developing a stronger sense of belonging to a sustainable cause for their future.

More information visit: www.campsinternational.com.au

Spotlight on SETO Members - Educating Adventures

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 23:48:18 GMT

Business name: Educating Adventures

Where are you located? Melbourne, Australia and Queenstown, New Zealand

Brief summary of your business? Educating Adventures works with schools to prepare tomorrow's global citizens, by providing bespoke international travel experiences for students. We offer a wide variety of tours tailored to inspire and educate students, with focus areas such as STEM, Arts, History, Cultural, Ski, and more - all mixed in with lots of fun!

Which destinations do you specialise in? New Zealand, USA, Europe, Asia

What are the advantages to your business as a SETO member? Everyone coming together to work for the greater good of the industry and create a voice for our niche.

What have been the greatest challenges to your business in 2022? Flight costs, staffing, the strength of the USD, and re-establishing some of our overseas relationships, especially in the US, have been challenging. Oh, and the high cost of hotels in NYC!

Consumer travel forecasts, where are your customers enquiring to travel? New Zealand, USA, Europe – some schools are very keen to return to travel, whereas others will wait until 2024 or 2025. I imagine 2024 will finally feel like a semi-normal year again. It would be good to see Western Australia returning to school travel too – I think they are being a little more cautious.

How has your business changed and adapted since the global pandemic hit? Less staff, flexible working, reduced costs etc. Less face-to-face meetings and greater use of Teams and Zoom for meetings and information nights, which gives parents and students the opportunity to join in from the comfort of their home and reduces our carbon footprint, a win-win.

Looking forward, what are you excited about over the next 12 months? We’re excited about facilitating incredible overseas experiences for students again, as they’ve missed out on so much. I really admire the Principals who are leading the way, allowing and encouraging their students and staff to take the opportunities offered by overseas tours again. I recently visited Europe with my family, and it was so exciting to be travelling again and experiencing different cultures. Happily, none of our flights were delayed and no luggage was lost!

Spotlight on SETO members - Estilo Sports Travel

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 03:26:23 GMT

Business name: Estilo Sport Travel

Where are you located? Northern Beaches NSW.

Brief summary of your business?
We are a bespoke group operator, with all Estilo tours customised to suit the requirements of each group. Our staff specialise in groups travelling to participate in a particular activity. Whether it be sport, academic or service, staff from Estilo can organise a tour that meets all of our client requirements.

Which destinations do you specialise in?
Pre pandemic passengers with Estilo travelled to all four corners of the globe. Post pandemic, we have found most tour groups favour destinations closer to home, including Fiji and New Zealand. In April 2023, we will send tours to New Zealand, Fiji, Europe and the USA for sport, drama and academic purposes.

What are the advantages to your business as a SETO member?
As a member of SETO, Estilo Travel can rely on the expertise and support of industry professionals. Financially, we are accountable for client payments and our staff can rely on industry leaders for advice and direction when required.

What have been the greatest challenges to your business in 2022?
In 2022, we have found supply to be a major hurdle. Pre 2020, flight costs would remain quite stable, with passenger amendments completed swiftly and inexpensively. We are finding in 2022, with greater passenger demand, increases in group size to be a challenge to accommodate. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced the closure of some reputable international suppliers, some of which we have been using for over 10 years!

Consumer travel forecasts, where are your customers enquiring to travel?
We expect the South Pacific (New Zealand and Fiji) to be busier than ever in 2023

How has your business changed and adapted since the global pandemic hit?
Our head count has decreased since the start of 2020. We had developed an outstanding team of travel consultants, specialising in sport, service and academic. With travel now resuming, we are in the process of rehiring extra staff to work with our existing and future clients.

Looking forward what are you excited about over the next 12 months?
With international travel now back in full swing, staff from Estilo are looking forward to working with our existing and potential clients in assisting them with their next tour.

Spotlight on SETO members - World Challenge

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 22:51:00 GMT

Business name: World Challenge

Where are you located?

Melbourne is our Australian HQ, supporting our World Challenge representatives across the country. We’re also fortunate to be part of a global World Challenge team with a UK HQ just outside London and a wider Travelopia Group with offices and staff across the globe.

Brief summary of your business?

Founded in 1987 and incorporated in Australia in 2003, World Challenge understands the many varied needs of educators and students when developing trips, so we offer a very wide range of educational travel options, including expeditions, curriculum tours, sport tours and learning service journeys.

We recognise that these trips are often amongst the first that young people undertake without family, and so our mission is to deliver truly life enriching experiences that will stay with them forever.

We’re committed to providing the most secure financial and physical safety assurances available, as demonstrated by our legacy of accreditations, awards, and positive customer reviews, and are committed to the important journey of travelling in such a way that ensures a brighter future for both people and planet.

Which destinations do you specialise in?

Australia, New Zealand and a further 40 or so countries throughout Asia, Europe, North and South/Central America and Africa.

Have you won any awards or had any special recognition acknowledgment of your business?

Of all the achievements we’ve enjoyed, we’re probably most proud of our journey to becoming climate positive. It’s been a long and arduous journey to this point, but certainly an important one that we’re all very committed to continuing.

What are the advantages to your business as a SETO member?

As a member there’s a real sense of ‘being stronger together!’ The world (and the world of educational travel) has changed significantly over the past few years, making SETOs main pillars – Governance, Advocacy and Education – more important than ever before.

What have been the greatest challenges to your business in 2022?

Recruitment. Sadly, many people left the industry given the challenges of the past few years. However, it’s also been very pleasing to see more excellent candidates appearing as we’ve built back over the past few months.

Consumer travel forecasts, where are your customers enquiring to travel?

Enquiries have really increased significantly in the past six months. Previously almost all enquiries were for Expeditions within Australia, but now there are many varied enquiries, particularly for Curriculum Tours to Europe, Sports Tours to New Zealand and of course Expeditions too many different parts of Asia.

How has your business changed and adapted since the global pandemic hit?

We’ve really worked very hard on our overall proposition, developing significant capability to deliver Curriculum and Sports Tours alongside our Expeditions and Learning Service Journeys, together with the systems and processes to enable this. We have a new bespoke reservation system enabling a real breadth of trips, a custom Learning Management System to deliver educational outcomes and many new partners around the world.

Looking forward what are you excited about over the next 12 months?

Student Travel is what excites and unites us all, so it’s great to be back operating trips – bring it on!

TRAVELERS INCREASINGLY VALUE SUSTAINABILITY

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 21:37:38 GMT

This article was originally posted on syta.org

It’s no secret that travelers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious in their daily lives and while on the road. They want their travel experiences to not only be fun and memorable, but meaningful and authentic, as well. More than ever, travelers are concerned about the lasting impact made on the destinations they visit.

To delve into this topic further, new global research from Expedia examined what can be learned from consumer attitudes, values and motivations in making conscientious choices. Encouragingly enough, research found that 90% of travelers look for sustainable options while traveling.

But what do travelers see as part of sustainable travel?

Of those surveyed, 69% said sustainable travel included lessening environmental impacts, 66% said supporting local economies, 65% said supporting local cultures and communities, and 52% said visiting lesser-known destinations.

While travelers are talking about sustainability, their personal commitment to making more conscientious choices is already being demonstrated through their actions.

Findings indicate that over the last two years, 3 in 5 travelers have opted for more environmentally friendly transportation or lodging, while 7 in 10 consumers have avoided a travel destination or transportation option due to skepticism that their commitment to sustainable practices was real.

In addition, while on the road over the last two years, 49% of travelers bought from local stores and restaurants rather than chains; 46% visited local cultural or historical sites; 42% bought from local cultures, communities or minority groups; and 37% paid more for sustainable options such as carbon offsets. When it comes to future travels, the percentage for all of these options increased across the board for travelers who intend to make more meaningful decision making.

However, it’s important to note that 74% of respondents indicated that it costs too much to be more sustainable while traveling. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t willing. Half of respondents would pay more for transportation, activities and lodging—if the options offered were more sustainable.

If cost wasn’t indicator enough of how much sustainability means to travelers today, research found nearly 70% of travelers are willing to sacrifice convenience to be a more sustainable traveler. Half of respondents said they’d make choices like walking versus driving; 49% said they’d sacrifice comfort; and 47% said they’d sacrifice time to travel to a destination along with convenience associated with lodging (distance from a destination, amenities, etc.).

Group tour operators and industry professionals can meet travelers where they are by providing more information to help them feel empowered to make informed decisions. Two in three travelers want to see more sustainability info from lodging and transportation providers. According to those surveyed, 50% would like trusted information to come from a destination itself, tourism or visitor resource groups, while 41% said they would like trusted information from independent travel agencies or providers. This type of information could include recommendations for:

Locally-owned business and restaurants.
Transportation options with lower environmental impact.
Engaging with local cultures and communities.
Eco-friendly activities and walkable/bikeable destinations.
Packing more sustainably.

To see the research in its entirety, visit Expedia.

Originally written by Sarah Suydam for Groups Today.

Spotlight on SETO Members - Camps International

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 22:42:16 GMT

Where are you located?

We are based in Melbourne as our hub here in Australia but have representatives across the country. We are part of the larger Camps International Group of companies which has offices in UK and Dubai, and our on the ground operations around the globe.

Brief summary of your business?

Camps is a tour operator that delivers life enhancing and educational travel experiences for thousands of young people across the world. We build camps with local people on land that we buy or lease from communities. Our camps are located in spectacular areas of cultural and environmental diversity. We employ and train hundreds of people in rural areas where there is little or no employment and shape all our experiences to contribute to community development, wildlife and environmental conservation.

Which destinations do you specialise in?

We have 3 main geographical regions in which we operate – SE Asia, East Africa and Latin America.

What are the advantages to your business as a SETO member?

Being an organisation that deals almost predominantly with schools, we are quite a niche market. We operate between the lines of education and tourism, and up to now have always felt on the margins of both areas. SETO brings together all similar operators, enabling us to have a presence at a higher level hopefully helping with policy development and travel guidelines, helping schools to make informed decisions towards working with reputable providers.

What have been the greatest challenges to your business in 2022?

The main challenge for 2022 has been gauging when to kick start our activity, and hence our cost base, post covid. We have had to hunker down for the past 2 years to get through covid, and like many other tourism industries, we are only now starting to see a re-bound. Schools are generally risk averse and so there remains a reticence to travel and commit.

Consumer travel forecasts, where are your customers enquiring to travel?

For those that are starting to think about future plans, it's mainly our Asia experiences and not until travel in late 2023 and beyond. Schools are literally just starting to consider their options now and there remains a lot of confusion within schools as to whether they are permitted to travel yet.

How has your business changed and adapted since the global pandemic hit?

We have definitely shrunk in size like every other tourism operation, and our systems have become more flexible. In particular, we are more focused on remote meetings with clients as opposed to face to face. This was something we were considering in any case to reduce our carbon footprint, so covid has accelerated us to a more flexible and less travel heavy operation for our sales team. This has coincided with a general acceptance globally of the benefit of video calls, of course.

Looking forward what are you excited about over the next 12 months?

It's really about getting back to normal business, welcoming new clients and teams to the benefits of travel. We have already had our first post covid teams in our camps around the globe in July this year, so now it’s a case of filling the order book to be able to sustain the activity. But being able to start to grow the team again and sell is what we really hanker for.

Rory Hall - Director Asia Pacific at Camps International Limited

Transforming lives through volunteer travel

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 21:35:36 GMT

Impact on Communities

Transforming lives through volunteer travel

By: Camps International

Over the past few years, life has been disrupted for everyone in ways that were unimaginable However, as the world opens up there are many reasons to be optimistic that we can start making plans for our next long-awaited adventure and learn to adapt to our new normal.

The ripple effects of Covid-19 have reached every corner of the world, but nowhere is this more keenly felt than in developing countries, where employment is the only pathway out of poverty and sustainable tourism provides essential opportunities for cultural preservation and conservation. Previously struggling communities that rely on the physical presence and support of international volunteers, as well as the economic benefits that come with them are now facing the added burden of extended periods of unemployment, lack of essential project progress such as school builds and sanitation, and the interaction, exchange of ideas and wellbeing derived from working with a diverse team of young volunteers. This has inevitably resulted in driving some people deeper into poverty and globally there has been an increase in dangerous and environmentally damaging practices like logging and poaching.

“This is why volunteering, if done in the right way, has never been more needed or meaningful.”

Travelling overseas, living and working alongside local communities, building equitable relationships based on mutual respect and trust, sharing ideas and building a strong global community are just some of the incredible benefits that empower volunteers and their host partners. But volunteering should provide even more than that. It’s an opportunity for individuals to really create lasting positive change, by working together to develop capacity and protect the environment according to local needs for generations to come.

Thinking of volunteer travel with your school?

If you are thinking about offering your students the opportunity to play their part, or you yourself want to make a difference, here are some tips for finding the right volunteering provider:

Research - make sure that you thoroughly research potential organisations and ensure that they are operating in an ethical and sustainable way.
Impact - ensure that they have a strategic, long-term plan in place for creating positive change and that this is designed to deliver maximum benefits to the host communities and not just their commercial endeavours.
Collaboration - do they work in an equitable way with their host communities or do they simply offer ‘help’?
Evidence - many companies claim to be ethical but struggle to back up their statements. Make sure that there are proper procedures in place for measuring their positive (and negative) impact and that they can provide information on this. Check for external accreditations and endorsements.
Ask questions - Don’t be afraid to ask questions if there is something you are unsure about or would like further clarification. Ethical companies should always be forthcoming with information so you can make an informed decision.

Switch screen time for green time: 4 reasons for student travel

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 05:08:29 GMT

It’s a rare privilege in this digital world to take a break from social media and online communications.

Many young people have not known a time without the pressure of constantly being present online. So, when phones are down, eyes should be up, allowing them to disconnect from devices and connect to the world around them and themselves – it’s truly a gift.

To maximise the benefits of their school trip abroad, students need to be free to be fully in the moment, engaging in the activities on offer and focusing on the people they are travelling with. For this reason, World Expeditions Schools strongly advises against the use of mobile phones during all school trips abroad.

Below we would like to list four reasons why we think students should refrain from using their mobile phone while on an experiential learning experience.

1. Gain more opportunities

Students embarking on a travel experience with World Expeditions Schools are being given the opportunity to learn important values of teamwork, to build their self-confidence and to develop an understanding of other cultures and ways of doing things.

In most cases, your students are travelling to a destination they have not travelled to before and are taking part in new and different activities. It’s an incredible opportunity to make long-lasting friendships with travel companions, learn new skills and understand themselves a little better. It’s no wonder that the experience often has profound, life-changing effects on students.

2. Get them more engaged

Without the distraction of technology and the urge to scroll on screens, students are more free to look around and notice things. Without mobile phones, students are open to receive information from all their senses. This allows them to fully engage in the travel experience, to maximise the potential for learning and growth.

At the same time, it gives them the chance to top up their creative fuel by being in tune to their own thoughts and responses in a way that is not possible when they are beholden to the phone.

3. Build their resilience

Being reliant on themselves and overcoming challenges they encounter during the school trip will help build resilience. By encouraging your student to step away from online communication, you are giving them the space to grow their confidence and build independence.

4. You can find alternative ways to connect without phones

Your school may wish to make arrangements to keep parents and friends in touch with how the journey is going. Alternative, more structured ways to do this are via blogs on your school’s website or via Facebook groups. This information can be updated on rest days in major towns or cities, where access to the internet is commonplace. The added benefit is that this allows for very clear lines of communication between the group, school and parents.

This article was written by Scott Pinnegar, General Manager of World Expeditions Schools.

How to plan your student educational travel post-pandemic

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 05:08:39 GMT

Planning overseas educational travel for your students? Consider these five things so that their return to the world is a smooth and safe one.

As the world welcomes back travellers, knowing the ins and out of visiting certain destinations in a new post-pandemic climate can be tricky to navigate. There are things like what requirements are necessary and what happens when there’s a Covid case on tour?

We list five key things to consider so your student’s return to overseas travel is a smooth and safe one.

While it is a completely different travel landscape from what it was pre-pandemic, one thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of consulting with those in the know. The expertise of educational travel professionals and travelling with financially sound organisations is more critical now than it has ever been to ensure you offer your students not only a rewarding experience but a safe and well managed one.

If you are planning a return to overseas educational experiences for your school, or perhaps looking to venture on your first foray into this exciting world, here are some top tips to take into account.

1. Where can my students go?

Which countries are open? Which countries require testing? What is their testing procedure?

As we’ve all learned during the pandemic, the goalposts keep moving, and they can move quickly. It’s a cumbersome task for most people to stay up to date with the rules and regulations of their own country let alone those overseas.

Choosing a destination is often the first step for most school travel organisers. This is where you would benefit from dealing with an organisation, such as World Expeditions Schools, who have experts to monitor such things daily and can utilise their extensive network of overseas contacts.

2. What happens when there’s a Covid case on tour?

Risk management strategies need to be updated to cater for Covid cases.

School travel organisations that have carefully navigated through the pandemic should have updated and strengthened risk management plans to deal with a potential Covid case before and during a trip.

World Expeditions Schools have been fortunate enough to assist some schools with educational experiences within Australia during 2021 and 2022 where they have successfully managed Covid cases that occurred.

3. How to protect your communities’ funds

Some of the largest school trip providers were not able to financially manage their way through Covid. When researching who to use, it is important that you query any provider about how they plan to keep your monies safe. What is their policy?

Pre-pandemic, some experienced school travel organisers felt comfortable dealing directly with smaller local companies in their destination to save some money. Such a scenario offers zero financial protection and the pandemic highlighted what a risky move it is.

Working with an established organisation within your own country, that has a transparent policy on how they will protect your funds, removes several key obstacles, reduces stress and gives you peace of mind that you are providing the best possible scenario for your students and their families.

4. Be ready to be flexible with services

Many service providers (hotels, transfer services etc) are not as resourced as they were pre-pandemic. It will take time for the world to build up capacity again, especially in some developing countries.

There is a large staff shortage in many areas and last-minute changes may occur. Flights can be cancelled at short notice, baggage lost, and hotels overbooked.

Expert travel companies have back up plans for their back up plans as per their risk management. Having an experienced guide and team behind you plus 24-hour support in your destination of choice is incredibly important in the current environment. Be sure you organise your school program through a reputable company that offers all the support you need.

For the best chance of a smooth experience, it is important to start planning now to ensure the program and service you want to provide your students can be achieved and fulfilled.

Post-pandemic planning requires advance consideration and meticulous planning. If you are considering a return to international travel in 2023, start the conversation with an expert today.

5. Talk to an Educational Travel Expert

There’s so much more to consider now than there was pre-Covid. You’re busy enough dealing with the situations that arise at your school courtesy of Covid.

This is where organising a student’s once-in-a-lifetime experience simply cannot be left to chance. Speak to an expert for the best knowledge and travel with a company that has stood the test of time and that can comfortably answer all of the above considerations to you comfortably for your added protection.

This article was written by Scott Pinnegar, General Manager of World Expeditions Schools