As a tailor-made travel company, Citalia cares deeply about Italy and its regions. We want to play our part in ensuring these unique and beautiful places, and their communities, thrive and flourish for years and decades to come.
We know that travel can be transformative; through building perspective, empowering communities, incentivising conservation and enriching lives. However, we recognise that we operate within the context of a climate and biodiversity crisis, and that aspects of tourism can leave a negative footprint on the world around us.
In response, we're busy working on improving our company-wide sustainability policies and practices, and - alongside our sister companies - have started implementing our 'Climate, Nature & Community' sustainability plan.
Italy is an incredible destination that makes it joyful to have a responsible holiday: the country is one of Europe's main environmental sustainability leads, so you'll find plenty of energy efficient or low carbon measures already in place. Train travel is comfortable, efficient and inexpensive, and Italy offers plenty of beautiful off-the-beaten-track destinations to explore, which enable you to get away from the crowds and benefit local communities. There's also a huge amount of agritourism to enjoy, which celebrates nature, the land, and the time-honoured traditions, from community-focused albergo to Italian farmhouse stays in a masseria, to Slow Food city breaks.
As part of our commitment to climate and nature action, we've joined our sister companies across the Travelopia Group* to partner with Blue Marine Foundation.
Our objective is to help conserve the stunning coastlines and marine life that enrich your holidays and restore ocean ecosystems that are vital in tackling climate change.
Together with our sister travel companies, we intend to donate at least £1 million over the next 3 years, with an aim to support the conservation and restoration of 7,000 hectares of vital marine ecosystems through seven global projects.
From the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Kenya to Indonesia, these protected blue carbon ecosystems have the potential to remove and store thousands of tonnes of carbon every year. They will also help protect a rich diversity of coastal and underwater wildlife, including endangered species.
Our support will also enable the training and employment of local communities in marine conservation, helping ensure these beautiful places are preserved for generations.
We have embedded a range of minimum sustainability standards across our operations to ensure safe and fair labour conditions, the ethical treatment of animals, a proactive effort to minimise environmental impact across our offices and holidays, and an intention to support local communities wherever possible.
Here are some ways in which you can join us in our efforts to preserve your favourite areas, ensuring that future generations can also enjoy them:
*Citalia is a member of the Travelopia group of travel companies which has come together to partner with Blue Marine Foundation.