Matetsi Victoria Falls Lodge is a conservation-focused and regenerative lodge in Zimbabwe. Photo: Matetsi Victoria Falls
Travel agent Mallory Tolbert shares her tips for sustainable and regenerative adventures.
Mallory Tolbert, owner of White Bear Lake’s True North Travel Co., is working to reshape the way we think about travel. She guides her clients toward experiences that not only don’t harm their vacation destinations (i.e. sustainable travel), but actually have a positive impact on the people and ecosystems they touch—a practice called regenerative travel.
“Regenerative travel is about actively contributing to the places we visit—whether that’s through supporting local communities, preserving the environment or restoring natural ecosystems,” Tolbert says. “It’s asking, ‘How can I leave this place better than I found it?’”
Tolbert says several factors are behind the increased awareness and popularity of regenerative travel. “Partly, it’s about protecting these destinations for future generations,” she says. “… People are realizing their environmental footprint matters.” Today’s travelers are simply looking for more meaningful experiences—not just to sightsee, but to engage with the communities they visit, especially after the isolation of COVID-19.
Tolbert, who has more than a decade of experience in the travel and tourism industry, creates detailed destination guides, with impact reports, to help her clients select accommodations that prioritize environmental conservation, support local economies and preserve cultural traditions. “Money talks. We want to keep the money in the destination instead of giving these multimillionaire resort owners more of our dollars,” Tolbert says.
As an example, Tolbert cites one of her favorite itineraries: a trip to Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Zimbabwe. She encourages travelers to spend a few days at Matetsi Victoria Falls, a lodge that funds anti-poaching initiatives and restores wildlife corridors on its private reserve. Next, transfer to the &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp, which offers luxury tent suites and education about local cultural traditions. “You can also visit a local primary school and market to get insight into traditional lifestyle and support local artisans,” Tolbert says. A six-night trip to these destinations starts at around $12,000 per person and includes accommodations, meals and beverages, guided excursions and contributions to conservation initiatives.
Even if you’re not ready to book a big trip with an agent, you can use Tolbert’s strategies to make your next adventure a more sustainable one. “It would mean so much if I just knew that this was on someone’s mind the next time they’re booking a trip,” Tolbert says. “You can have such an impact with just getting on a plane.”
Travel with Heart
Mallory Tolbert shares her top tips for planning a regenerative trip.
- Look beyond the big names. “Many of these huge resorts are siphoning money out of the destinations and paying abysmal rates to their workers,” Tolbert says. Locally owned hotels and lodges keep funds right in the community.
- Ask about sustainability. Before you book a hotel or tour, email the operators to find out about their sustainability initiatives, including any certifications from third parties like Green Globe or Travelife.
- Engage in local culture. “Participate in experiences that improve destinations,” Tolbert says, like visiting a market or co-op, helping with a reforestation project or simply booking tours with a guide who can connect you with the community.
- Watch out for “greenwashing,” which are vague claims of being eco-friendly or sustainable. “Look for specific initiatives and transparent practices,” Tolbert says.
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