Focused on striking a balance between environmental conservation, economic viability, and the socio-cultural integrity of tourist destinations globally, sustainable tourism has taken the lead in setting the industry’s trajectory.
More than a fleeting trend, this push for eco-friendly practices has risen from the need to acknowledge all impacts of tourism, both positive and negative, and strive for more benefits and fewer detriments.
In the U.S., national parks and various city initiatives have been promoting eco-tourism and emphasizing the importance of reducing the carbon footprint, from eco-lodges in Alaska to responsible wildlife tours in Florida.
There’s a similar trend across the Atlantic. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen have adopted bike-friendly infrastructures, promoting health and well-being while reducing vehicular emissions.
With the sustainability movement redefining business practices worldwide, one does ponder – how are industry leaders and innovative companies adapting to this shift?
Steven Garcia, the mind behind Empire Tours and Productions LLC, is a name synonymous with sustainable tourism practically since his company’s inception.
Having begun his journey in the bustling urban centers of the U.S., like Chicago, Charleston, New York City, Appalachia, and Wisconsin, Garcia quickly identified a concerning gap in the sector: genuine, immersive experiences that prioritized the environment’s well-being.
Whether guiding visitors through the historic alleyways of American cities, allowing them to retrace the steps of the country’s most notorious individuals, or introducing travelers to the culinary delights of Little Italy or Chinatown, the Empire Tours’ underlying ethos has remained the same: travel responsibly, and leave an environmentally minimal impact.
To make this possible, Garcia’s company prioritizes walking tours as a healthy and authentic travel experience that perfectly blends with the sustainability movement. As Garcia points out, walking tours not only reduce the carbon footprint of transport-dependent trips but also offer adventurers an intimate bond with their surroundings.
“Based on our walking tours visitor numbers, we can estimate that the walking tours operated by our company alone have eliminated over 5,000 hours of bus carbon emissions a year,” Garcia reveals.
But Garcia’s commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop at walking tours. Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin stands Serenity Lodge, a true reflection of how far Garcia’s eco-friendly efforts have reached. The cabin, alongside Garcia’s other houses and glamping structures, is constructed from 100-year-old repurposed forest firewood sourced in California, showcasing both the beauty and the potential of reclaimed materials.
“I’ve brought the barn wood to the sawmill and shaped it myself,” Garcia reveals. “The goal with these cabins wasn’t just to minimize environmental impact, however. It’s also been an effort to honor the land and preserve local history.”
Owing to the push toward environmentally conscious practices, Empire Tours has set quite a benchmark for other companies in the sector, especially those operating in the U.S.
Having engraved its name in Chicago’s, New York’s, and Charleston’s travel industry, Garcia’s venture is all but ready to open its doors to visitors in Austin, Texas, bringing unique adventures to a larger number of people while remaining faithful and gentle to the planet.
Yet the American expansion is just one chapter of Garcia’s story, as there’s a city across the Atlantic that will soon experience his unique brand of eco-tourism.
The city of London, with its gorgeous palaces and regal appeal, is home to some of the world’s most notable green initiatives. With vast parks, extensive cycling paths, and policies that promote eco-friendly practices, the city’s commitment to a sustainable future has prompted Garcia to choose the U.K.’s capital as its first overseas location.
Aside from walking tours, Garcia has leveraged Europeans’ love for physical activity with plans to reshape it into unforgettable experiences through the addition of cycling tours.
Garcia highlights that cycling tours, much like their walking counterpart, allow travelers to acquaint themselves with London’s historical charm and encourage a mode of exploration that respects that city’s sustainability goals.
“Back home, we wanted to craft deeper connections to the places we explore, merging the thrill of the ride with the joy of discovery,” he says. “The goal is to bring that across the ocean, too.”
This move presents equally exciting opportunities for both European and American visitors. As they set foot in the bustling city of London, they’ll have the added advantage of seeing it through Empire Tours’ sustainable lens.
Familiar with the company’s ethos from their ventures back home, American explorers will be able to enjoy a sense of continuity and trustworthiness miles away from home.
Moreover, Garcia’s foray into the European market holds promise for its U.S. operations. The cross-cultural exchange will expose the company to new green practices and strategies that have been effective overseas.
This reciprocal relationship ensures that as Empire Tours thrives and learns in London, the American operations also stand to benefit.
When Empire Tours made the move to carry its green-thinking philosophy across the ocean, it did more than just expand its operations.
Their decision to step foot into Europe, a region already celebrated for its eco-friendly initiatives, essentially did two things. It put American creativity and innovation on full display and set a high standard for how global sustainable practices can be incorporated with real impact.
“We didn’t want just to export a business model and move on. We want to share a vision where every journey respects the soul of the destinations,” Garcia says.
Yet London is just the tip of the iceberg. As the company plants its roots deeper into European soil, the addition of more cities to its portfolio isn’t that far-fetched. While Garcia’s focus is on London at the moment, he hints at a plan to introduce the wonders of Empire Tours’ offers to the continental side – starting with Amsterdam.
As Garcia puts it, “Travel is an education, and with each new adventure, we aim to inspire a community of mindful explorers, at home and overseas.”
