Partners in Local Travel
At Tripbod we believe that travel should positively impact local communities and economies. We actively promote businesses that share our vision and help you to connect directly with the grass roots and give something back.
Here are our 'better alternatives' to booking flights, accommodation and tours, selected because they are trusted, safe and fighting for a fairer deal all round.
Ethical Travel Agent: North South Travel
North South Travel offer a friendly, efficient and competitive flight service specializing in difficult. Profits from the company are paid out in grants twice a year to selected charities. Their motto is 'Every Flight a Fight Against Poverty'.
Book flights with North South Travel
Local Activities: Tourdust Adventure Travel
Tourdust is an online travel agent specialising in one-of-a kind adventures and cultural journeys. All trips are operated by a handpicked selection of local providers with a genuine passion for the place they live.
Visit Tourdust
Local Guides: Rent a Local Friend when you're there
Through RLF, locals show visitors around their favorite spots – what better way to experience the latest local haunts than with a local friend?
"For everyone who has experienced a trip with a local friend, you know exactly the difference it makes! We are journalists, writers, photographers, designers, but overall we are local people who are passionate about our city and will help you to be a local rather than a lost tourist"
Your local friend will design and accompany you on a local tour avoiding the tourists traps and bring you up to date with the city's cultural agenda.
Visit Rent a Local Friend
Local accommodation and tours: WHL.Travel
WHL.travel is a global network of local market operators who hand select accommodation and tours for independent travellers. WHL.Travel are not only committed to sourcing and developing responsible tourism, they also support local operators to become more responsible and sustainable through their Caring for Destinations initiative.
Visit WHL.Travel
Local Information: Make Travel Fair
Make Travel Fair is a multi-award winning interactive platform to encourage education amongst travellers and to promote travel itself as a means of education.
Visit Make Travel Fair
Adventure Travel Insurance: World Nomads
World Nomads travel insurance is available to people from over 150 countries and is designed for adventurous travellers with cover provided for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and activities such as skiing and snowboarding. There's no limit to your local experiences with one of their policies!
Visit World Nomads
Expert Advice:Travelguru.tv
Travelguru.tv is an award winning travel site using professionally shot video reports to literally let you ‘look before you book’. Each video on the site is hosted by one of the ‘gurus’ – a team of highly respected UK travel commentators who share their unscripted, first hand experiences on location with you. If you fancy following in their footsteps, take advantage of the specially negotiated discounts and added value offers for each of the featured holidays.
Tune in at www.travelguru.tv
Local Volunteer Projects: Volunteer South America
This site lists the free and low-cost volunteer opportunities in South & Central America. The site is designed for backpackers and independent travellers looking for a real volunteer experience abroad, without paying any middle-man or agency fees.
Visit Volunteer South America
Local Charities and Volunteering: Globalgiving
Globalgiving partners with local organisations worldwide helping them to raise funds and awareness for their projects. Although GlobalGiving does not offer any formal volunteer programmes, people can get involved with a GlobalGiving featured project by making short visits or even informal volunteer placements where possible.
Visit GlobalGiving
Local Courses: GoLearnTo.com
GoLearnTo.com are learning holiday specialists with over 1000 holiday courses in over 30 countries worldwide to suit all timescales and budgets. Learn to cook in Tuscany, surf big ones in Costa Rica, make your own perfume in France, Flamenco dance in Spain...
Visit www.GoLearnTo.com now to learn more
Local Phone Calls: GO-SIM
GO-SIM provides an International network that will save you up to 85% on your mobile phone call charges whilst abroad.
Visit Go-Sim