Encore Tours believes in the power of travel to inspire understanding and collaboration between the citizens and cultures of the world. But as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. And we also believe that as we travel, we must do so with the utmost care. Meaningful Giving Encore Tours is proud to support the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation, which was established by AIFS Founder Sir Cyril Taylor to provide transformative opportunities for students who otherwise might not be able to travel. Each year, the foundation grants millions of dollars to nonprofits focused on cultural immersion, education, and disaster relief — not limited to Encore or AIFS travelers. It’s all part of the simple but powerful mission to ‘Do Good.’ Learn More Smart Transportation Encore participants reduce their environmental impact through thoughtful transit planning. We include unlimited public transportation whenever possible and prioritize centrally located hotels so travelers can walk and explore by metro. In Europe, we use coaches with Euro 6 engines to reduce emissions, and we love high-speed trains for their energy efficiency and immersive experience. Support Local Encore itineraries support small businesses and cultural connections through hands-on experiences and local partnerships. From cooking lessons and dance workshops to community projects and student exchanges, our tours are built around meaningful engagement that benefits both our travelers and the communities they visit. Reducing Plastic and Paper Waste Encore Tours encourages low-waste travel by offering a fully digital registration process and mobile travel app to minimize paper use. In destinations like Costa Rica and Peru, we reduce plastic by providing filtered water in jugs rather than single-use bottles. We also encourage reusable water bottles for all travelers. Traveler Education Encore Tours works with a certified sustainability and cultural learning expert to develop responsible travel education for every group. Travelers receive pre-, on-, and post-tour tips on how to minimize their impact, and Tour Managers help reinforce sustainable practices on the road. Encore Sustainability Education All Encore departments are certified through the Carbon Literacy Project, a UN-recognized initiative. This training helps us continually enhance our tours with a focus on global sustainability. Seeking Responsible Travel Partners Encore partners with ethical, inclusive, and sustainable vendors, prioritizing locally-, minority-, and women-owned businesses to support diversity and expose travelers to responsible global leadership. Sustainability Trips Encore’s sustainability-focused itineraries align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and include experiences such as beekeeping, farm-to-table dining, biodiversity walks, science museum visits, and engagement with local nonprofits. These tours are ideal for eco-clubs, STEM groups, and any traveler seeking purposeful cultural exploration. Spotlight Trip Mission of Care Encore’s aim is to re-imagine our mission of creating Global Citizens through travel to include sustainable best practices. We are working towards incorporating a focus on select United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into our operations and programming. These goals “provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” We’ve signed the USTOA Sustainability Promise as proof of our commitment to this mission. Sustainability and travel aren’t always the likeliest of marriages, but with our team dedicated towards doing our part, we know we will make improvements, both big and small, that will impact our travelers, the environment and world for the better. Sounds lofty, but dreaming big is part of our ethos. Travel changes lives, after all.