The Global Sustainable Tourism Council has launched its first global digital travel series, Travel Redefined: Tourism for People and Planet, in partnership with Content With Purpose. The series takes an in-depth look at how sustainable and regenerative tourism supports people, planet, and prosperity by sharing real stories and expert insights from inspiring individuals and organisations worldwide.
With global tourism making a strong recovery, the urgency to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and overtourism has never been greater. Travel Redefined is both a cinematic showcase of best practices and a global call to action—inviting policymakers, industry leaders, travellers, and changemakers to rethink tourism as a driver of lasting social, cultural, environmental, and economic impact.
Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC, said, “Travel Redefined is a powerful reminder that every journey holds the potential to leave a positive legacy. Many of the featured stories come from GSTC Members who are already putting these values into practice. They serve as real-world examples of what’s possible when sustainability is placed at the heart of tourism.”
Filmed across six continents, solely using local film crews to minimise travel and production emissions, the ambitious series spanned over 50 filming days to create 24 cinematic short films, 22 thought leadership videos, 10 expert interviews and three case studies. All of the films in the series showcase sustainable best practices and examine the role of tourism in promoting biodiversity conservation, carbon reductions, green mobility, responsible waste practices, equitable economic development, cultural preservation, and accessible experiences.
Max Smith, Founder of Content With Purpose, added, “We have embedded sustainability into every step, reflecting our environmental commitments, from using local crews to telling real-life stories that empower communities and protect the planet – proving that a flourishing, sustainable industry isn’t a distant vision. It’s happening right now, and we all have a role to play in this transformation.”
From the coasts of California to community-led conservation in the Philippines, Travel Redefined takes viewers on a journey across continents to meet pioneers who are radically re-thinking tourism to make it work for people and the planet.
Key sustainability themes covered in the short films include:
- Rebuilding with roots: how mangroves and tourism are restoring The Bahamas – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
- How social media and digital detox are shaping the future of travel – University of Greenwich
- Developing a new destination responsibly in Finland’s Turku Archipelago -Visit Turku Archipelago
- How community tourism can help protect the Amazon and preserve indigenous culture – G Adventures
