Ep 161: Ethics, Sustainability & Accessibility in Tour Operations, with Ewan Cluckie, Tripseed

What role should tour operators play in ethical tourism development? Is it worthwhile considering how to make tours more accessible? And what key challenge will tour operators face in 2023?

This week, Hannah chats to Ewan Cluckie, founder of Tripseed, a Thailand-based tour operator. In a fascinating conversation, we talk about the transition that digital travel trade marketing has undergone during the pandemic and the silver lining that Covid-19 has presented to smaller tour operators. Plus, we learn about Tripseed’s development of accessible travel products, and how it mapped out the accessible facilities which Thailand has to offer.

Along the way, we return to one big issue again and again - how can tour operators move away from a less extractive form of tourism, to one where local voices are heard and respected.