Better Places, a social enterprise in responsible travel that launched in The Netherlands in 2014, followed by Germany in 2016 (operating as Fairaway), is now available to English-speaking travellers around the globe as Better Places Travel. 

Initial destination roll-out includes: Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Madagascar, Namibia, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, and Vietnam.

With more independent travellers seeking unique, locally-focused experiences that support the communities they visit, Better Places Travel connects travellers with local experts in Asia, Africa and Latin America to design unique, tailor-made experiences.

These experts are either expatriates who have lived in the country for years, or locals with extensive tourism experience, so they have lots of insider knowledge and local connections. Personal contact is always the top priority: between the traveller and the local expert, and between the traveller and the local people.

Co-founder Saskia Griep said: “Everyone has their own travel style and preferences: from outdoor adventures and hidden gems to locally-focused homestays and family-friendly activities. That’s why Better Places Travel is committed to 100% tailor-made roundtrips, designed by experts who know their destination inside and out. They will coordinate everything from small-scale accommodations like ecolodges and homestays to in-country transportation and excursions led by local guides, allowing travellers to focus on their experience, not the logistics.”

The company follows responsible travel practices and has a trusted network of partners in accordance with Travelife, an international certification program for agents and tour operators.

“With the growth we’ve seen in The Netherlands and Germany in such a short time period, we wanted to bring Better Places to a wider international audience,” says marketing manager Marcela Rilovic. “Our expansion into the English-speaking markets will enable more people to visit countries responsibly—as travellers, not just as tourists.”