As foreign travel returns, one of the biggest travel trends hitting 2022 is ‘Impact Travel’.
The new way of holidaying – impact travel sees tourists consciously make an effort to ensure their trips are positively impacting the communities they’re visiting and encourages adventurers to travel with a purpose.
Since the beginning of the year there’s more than two thousand searches across the internet (including Google and Twitter[i]) for impact travel as globe trotters look for more authentic experiences, rather than choosing holiday destinations because of the ‘instagrammable’ hotels, and picture-perfect spots.
Israel offers several opportunities for those looking to practice Impact Travel whether that’s through contributing to one of the country’s many small or family-run businesses, opting for sustainable activities in one of the many national parks or staying in sustainability-focussed hotels.
VOLUNTEER AT A KIBBUTZ
The kibbutz are Israeli agricultural communes, located in some of the most beautiful parts of rural Israel, and welcome volunteers to help make a positive impact and contribute to the community.
The kibbutz movement started in 1905 as a collective way of living and there are now over 250 Kibbutzim across the country.
For those hoping to volunteer, tasks can include picking fruit, preparing meals for the community, gardening and helping with livestock. In return, volunteers receive food, board, and a little pocket money that can be spent in the kibbutz shop.
Kibbutz are responsible for 30% of Israel’s agricultural output. However, they’ve diversified over the years to focus on everything from art to technology! Nowadays, some Kibbutzum have expanded into tourism with kibbutz hotels being popular places to stay for travellers to experience sustainable living and this slighty alternative way of life.
For those hoping to make a positive community impact, volunteering at a Kibbutzim in Israel is the perfect way to take part in Impact Travel.
SELECT A SUSTAINABLE STAY
According to the Kind Traveller Global Impact Tourism Report, 48% of travellers feel the greatest challenge in travelling sustainable is finding accommodation that is sustainable. Look no further than Israel’s Tur Sinai Organic Farm Resort, located just a five-minute drive from Jerusalem.
The farm, which is surrounded by pine trees and herds of gazelles, balances naturally with its environment – which its owners are careful not to harm. Organic farming and green construction also help to preserve the area’s natural resources.
The suites and guesthouses are built to the highest standards in green construction with ecological construction that allows for natural heating and cooling preventing energy waste. The accommodation’s water waste is purified in a water system and used to irrigate the neighbouring orchard whilst the different accommodation types are built on stone terraces, surrounded by organic fruit trees and covered with local stones that were removed from the ground to seamlessly integrate into the landscape.
OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES FOR ECO-CONSCIOUS TOURISTS
One way to practice Impact Travel is by participating in eco-activities such as exploring nature reserves and embarking on hikes – outdoorsy activities you can enjoy without causing too much damage to the environment.
With 81 national parks and more than 400 nature reserves, tourists in Israel won’t struggle to find a spectacular hike to embark on, discovering Israel’s breath-taking landscape whilst keeping their carbon footprint down.
Venture to The Red Canyon in the Eilat Mountains, one of country’s most beautiful yet accessible hikes. Just a twenty-minute drive from Eilat, it offers a real desert experience which is also perfect for beginners. The Ein-Gedi Reserve, located in the Judean Desert next to the Dead Sea, is a hiker’s paradise and one of the most visited reserves in Israel. The park offers a variety of trails that can be ‘mixed and matched’ to accommodate all kinds of hikers and visitors, and is great for family strolls too.
Alternatively, for a truly unforgettable experience, hike to the summit of Masada and watch the sunrise over the Dead Sea. There are several popular trails which are easy to navigate and don’t require any guidance, which is a great must-do activity for eco-conscious travellers.
HELP MAINTAIN HISTORY
As one of the most religious and spiritual countries in the world, Israel is rich with history and culture. People from across the globe travel to witness the outstanding religious sites, predominantly in Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world.
The Western Wall, located in Jerusalem’s Old City, is one of the most famous and admired religious sites in the world and has been a place of religious sanctity for thousands of years. A traditional visit to this site includes writing prayers/wishes on a small piece of paper and placing it in the cracks of the wall, as it is believed the message will be taken directly to God.
Visiting Israel and bringing tourism back to the country contributes to the restoration of these historical sites that impact so many and are admired by travellers from all over the world.
Give Impact Travel in Israel a go this year and give back to the society whilst exploring everything this extraordinary country has to offer.
