Responsible travel

Travel off-season

There are several ways to make a lesser impact on nature or to support local residents (financially). For example, travel off-season more often. This can prevent over-tourism, which also contributes to a more beautiful experience of the destination. Furthermore, visiting in the off-season also helps local entrepreneurs, who are often quieter in the off-season.

Fly less often, but travel longer

Transportation is often a big contributor to your carbon emissions when you travel. Thus, the more often you travel, the more emissions you create. It is therefore advisable to opt for one long trip rather than several short trips. For yourself, it also has the advantage of giving you more time to explore the destination.

The longest trip we offer on Edmonton-Jasper is the Edmonton combined with Yukon trip.

We have some tips for you to make/book your air travel conscious(er). For example, it makes a difference which airline you book with. All trips offered on Edmonton-Jasper.com, use KLM as their airline.

KLM is progressive when it comes to sustainability. For example, in January 2021, they were the first airline in the world with a commercial flight where the aircraft flew on sustainable synthetic kerosene. They also proactively provide tips on how to reduce your footprint as a traveler. For example, one tip is to take less luggage. After all, more weight also means higher fuel consumption. Furthermore, Air France-KLM has been named leader in the airline industry more than once by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. This is the key indicator to see the extent to which the company promotes social and environmental amenities.

At the destination

Once you arrive at your destination? Then there are a number of things in which you can make a conscious choice.

1. Spend locally: If you have the opportunity to purchase from local business owners, we highly recommend it. By doing so, you have a direct impact on the local community and often the products come from the region. Some local entrepreneurs in Edmonton and Jasper are: Wee Book Inn, Blackbyrd and Sugared & Spiced.
2. Beware of activities involving (wild) animals: The last thing you want to do while traveling is disturb nature and the wild animals that live there. Therefore, always keep a good distance so as not to scare the animals. Activities offered from Edmonton and Jasper, to Elk Island National Park for example, are only booked with local organizations that are respectful of nature. Also, during an activity, always follow the guides’ instructions for the best experience for yourself and to make as little impact on nature as possible.
3. Go hiking or biking: Fun activities that also don’t generate extra emissions are hiking and biking. In addition, it gives you the opportunity to explore the area at your own pace. Great hikes you can do in and near Edmonton and Jasper are (Note! Some trails are only open in the summer):
   1. Pyramid Overlook Loop
   2. Maligne Canyon Halfday Hike
   3. Skyline Trail
   4. Wapakwanis Plant Walk

What the destination already does

Environmental issues are also being addressed on location. For example, the Edmonton airport is building a Sustainability Campus, Edmonton has a goal of being climate neutral by 2040, Jasper is implementing the Sustainability Plan and the Marmot Basin ski area has several environmental initiatives. For example, waste is recycled as much as possible, they promote the use of electric transportation and there are provisions to be respectful and conscious of the wildlife with whom they share nature.

 

Safe travel

Reliable travel agent

When booking your trip, always choose a reliable travel agent. All travel organizations affiliated with Edmonton-Jasper are also members of the ANVR (Algemene Nederlandse Vereniging van Reisondernemingen). This means that all these tour operators respect the rulings of the Geschillencommissie Reizen and that they are affiliated with the Stichting Calamiteitenfonds Reizen.

Travel and cancellation insurance

Before you travel, it is wise to take out travel and cancellation insurance. It may happen that you need unexpected help. It is nice when you can fall back on your insurance.