Different Travel

In December 2004, just after the enormity of the Asian Tsunami had started to sink in, we began to think about what we could do to help people in South East Asia who had been affected by the tragic events.

After deciding to cancel our summer holiday and go to Sri Lanka, we started recruiting friends to come with us, people who wanted to do something more than sit by the pool. Before we knew it, we were on TV and getting calls from people asking if they could come with us, asking what they could do to help on our "volunteer holiday".

And so Different Travel was born. Little did we know that, in less than two years, we would be taking people all over the world on discovery volunteer holidays, supporting over 30 projects.

We have remained extremely committed to relief and sustainable regeneration ever since, bringing positive contributions to local economies when they most need support, bringing volun-tourists to spend their holiday time helping with relief efforts and their holiday money directly with the local businesses.  
In addition to the hands-on support and project financial contributions inclusive in the holiday price, Different Travel has facilitated thousands of British pounds in donations direct to projects, including post-tsunami beach cleaning, refurbishment of schools, hospitals, old people’s homes, building of homes and local businesses, teacher training, teaching, and social interaction with children orphaned or traumatised by the Tsunami.

And since 2005, we have taken our experience in voluntourism and regeneration from Sri Lanka to Thailand, India, Nepal, Tibet, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Morocco, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Borneo, Nicaragua, Peru, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, with most holidays offering flexible volunteering and sightseeing time scales.

We’re continually developing our Responsible Tourism policy to ensure the impact of tourism on the environment is carefully considered and carbon-offset. Our volunteers stay in, where possible, locally owned and managed hotels, where local staff is employed and supplies sourced locally. We encourage our customers to patronise local restaurants, local shops, take local guides’ tours and use local transport. We encourage them to be respectful of the culture in which they’re working. Our projects are managed by local committees employing local tradesmen and materials. Prior to departure our customers receive information regarding language, culture and etiquette. We organise treks, canoeing safaris, tours by train and endeavour to avoid internal flights. Where possible our flights are direct, and we ensure all holidays are carbon neutral. Plus, we charge responsible prices, not exploiting customers, suppliers or our project partners.

We are amazed at what has been achieved so far, delighted that so many people who came on our initial trips in 2005 have come back again, and thrilled we will be taking even more people on journeys of discovery to even more places, to see the sights and work alongside the local people, to most importantly build a better future for more communities worldwide.

We look forward to taking you on your own journey with Different Travel.
Adrian & Sarah Yalland, co-founders, Different Travel