Travelosophy is an online magazine for travellers who delight in connecting with the world and also give a damn about how they travel (but want good choices to be clear and easy). We do that work. We find destinations and experiences run by people operating low-impact businesses and, through our stories, direct travellers their way. Our fantasy is that travel that benefits everyone, regenerative tourism, becomes South Africa's expected and everyday norm.
Media influences behaviour and as a voice in the travel world, we want to motivate positive, inclusive, regenerative tourism in South Africa. Local travel spend already circulates in our country, but every booking is a vote for a certain kind of operator. And when rands land with responsible tourism businesses, they reinforce better practices and strengthen the system over time. South Africans care where their money lands. The market research shows it: The top reason people travel locally is because South Africa has so much to offer, and the third strongest motivator is they want their money to benefit country and local communities*. Travelosophy helps make that intention count.
* Unlocking the Domestic Market, SA Tourism. 2023
We draw on deep media experience and sustainability education
Sonya Schoeman has worked at the centre of SA travel and lifestyle media for more than 20 years, four of those as editor-in-chief of Getaway (2014-2018). She learnt two important things: first, SA travellers seek good value, and love travelling and supporting local; and secondly, what you feature shapes culture and directs where money flows.
A Sustainable Development postgrad (Stellenbosch University) taught that there are no perfect answers when it comes to sustainable systems, but small actions can lead to unexpectedly big changes when you shift even one lever. Travelosophy is such a lever.
Our selection process: Stays
We’re talent scouts for getaways, constantly on the lookout for accommodation that demonstrates a sustainable approach to operations. We visit to get a sense of place, and we ask the owners to complete a questionnaire about their approach to five aspects of sustainability: 1) water stewardship; 2) energy usage; 3) waste management; 4) community impact; and 5) environment and biodiversity conservation. If they’re actively working towards sustainable operations, we’ll include them on our list (no cost is involved). We pass the combined picture onto our readers.
Our selection process: Experiences
We’re always on the lookout for interesting, rewarding and fun experiences run by operators mindful of their impact on the environments and communities they work in. We’re especially drawn to tourism-related entrepreneurs with an out-of-the-ordinary approach that enriches our understanding of the world through culture, nature, food, music and the many other doorways travel opens. We love to feature experiences that help travellers connect with people and place.