when you travel well, it changes everything.

Sustainable travel isn’t about getting it perfect — it’s about caring enough to start.

about sustainability

The word sustainability — or the phrase sustainable travel — can feel so vague or overwhelming that instead of feeling inspired, you end up feeling guilty… and quietly back away from the conversation altogether.

Everyone seems to have their own definition, but very few people take the time to explain what it means to them, and what it actually looks like in practice. I’m not interested in throwing around a feel-good phrase without explaining the meaning behind it.

the pftc approach

At Paradise Falls Travel Co., I believe in what I call people-first sustainability. Because I believe when we support the communities we visit, everything else falls into place naturally.

People-first sustainability starts with a simple belief: when we support the people of a destination, we’re supporting the local economy — and when local economies are supported, communities are better equipped to care for their land, culture, wildlife, and home.

It’s a ripple effect. And it starts with people.

For me, this means being intentional about how I curate trips for my clients. I do this by choosing to work with partners who are also dedicated to providing experiences that are rooted in local knowledge and lived experience, rather than mass tourism designed to move people through a place as quickly as possible.

People-first sustainability isn’t about avoiding travel or stripping away joy. It’s about partnering with those who love their homes, want to share them with you, and are committed to doing so in a way that protects what makes those places so special in the first place.

WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE?

Fair question. I’m not all talk and no action — here’s how I follow through when choosing the partners I work with.

As your travel advisor, part of my job is to curate relationships around the world to ensure that when you’re traveling, you have the best possible experience. When I build these relationships, I’m intentional about working with partners whose values align with mine.

Here’s what I’m looking for when I’m choosing who to work with:

And since I can’t visit every destination and hotel in the world (though, if I could, I totally would), I take the time to build real relationships with my partners — asking questions, learning how they operate, and making sure the way they approach sustainable travel aligns with the way my clients want to experience the world.

This isn’t about going against the grain just to say you did — it’s about going with the grain in a way that doesn’t wear it down.

Prioritizing locally owned partners whenever possible, so travel dollars support the local economy.

Curating local experiences over mass tourism, allowing you to connect with a place rather than simply move through it.

Working with guides and operators who live where they work, bringing lived knowledge, care, and context to the experience.

Choosing partners who reinvest in their communities, whether through employment, education, or long-term initiatives.

hi, hello
i'm claire

Sustainability — more specifically, people-first sustainability — isn’t a trend I hopped on or an attempt to greenwash my business.
It’s the heart of who I am and the foundation of how Paradise Falls Travel Co. operates.

I love people. And I believe the people we meet when we travel are what make our experiences so meaningful and memorable. They’re the ones who welcome us, guide us, share their stories, and open their homes.

To me, people are the heart and soul of a place.

I don’t claim to be perfect or know it all when it comes to sustainable travel — but I am deeply committed to constantly learning, listening, and doing better.

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