What if the answer to burnout, loneliness, and disconnection isn’t another city escape - but a return to village life?In this episode of Sustainable Travel Talks, we sit down with Juan Barbed, co-founder of Rooral, a project reimagining remote work through rural living, community connection, and slow travel in Spain. Juan shares how a deeply personal experience in his grandparents’ village helped him see the power of rural communities - and sparked the idea for Rooral. Together, we explore how remote workers can become part of village life, why human connection is at the heart of the experience, and how rural communities can offer lessons in wellbeing, resilience, and belonging. We also talk honestly about the challenges: building trust with local communities, avoiding extractive tourism, environmental trade-offs, and what it really takes to create impact at the “speed of trust.”From depopulation and loneliness to local pride and new narratives of success, this episode asks whether rural areas could help us rethink not just how we travel - but how we live, work, and connect.Follow us on Instagram @sustainabletraveltalks for more conversations on shaping a more responsible future for travel.

Flying is one of the most talked-about (and most misunderstood) parts of sustainable travel. But is it really as simple as “good” or “bad”?In this episode of Sustainable Travel Talks, we’re joined by Keila Alabarca, Sr. Sustainability Manager at Fluege.de, to unpack the reality of aviation - from emissions and contrails to the deeper, often overlooked impacts on people and communities.Together, we explore what the impact of flying actually means, why common debates like short-haul vs. long-haul aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and where responsibility really lies across travelers, companies, and the wider industry.Keila also shares what it’s like to work in one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise - navigating criticism, complexity, and the challenge of driving change from within an industry that openly acknowledges it isn’t sustainable.We dive into what’s actually improving in aviation, the role of transparency and education, and how platforms like Fluege.de can help travelers make more informed choices, without oversimplifying the issue.Finally, we bring it back to you: what really makes a difference when you fly? From reducing frequency to rethinking how we travel, this episode offers practical, honest insights for navigating aviation more consciously.Because when it comes to flying, the reality is rarely black and white.

What does it take to keep sustainability meaningful when students, professionals, and entire industries are feeling overwhelmed?In this episode of Sustainable Travel Talks, we sit down with Dr. Willy Legrand, a long-time professor of sustainable tourism and hospitality at IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany, to explore how sustainability education has evolved over the past two decades and what it takes to keep hope alive in the face of climate anxiety and burnout.From the early days when sustainability was barely part of tourism curricula to today’s more urgent, values-driven conversations, Willy reflects on how students’ attitudes, motivations, and expectations have changed. We discuss whether the tourism industry is keeping pace with academic thinking, which sustainability trends in hospitality are most promising right now, and how educators and professionals alike can stay engaged when progress feels slow.We also dive into sustainability fatigue a feeling many of us know well - and talk honestly about how to keep the “fire burning,” both in the classroom and beyond. Whether you’re a student, educator, or tourism professional trying to do better without burning out, this episode offers thoughtful perspective, practical wisdom, and a dose of grounded optimism.Follow us on Instagram @sustainabletraveltalks for more conversations on shaping a more responsible future for travel.

Curious how to explore the underwater world without harming it? In this episode, marine conservation expert Marthen Welly from Green Fins Indonesia shares how Green Fins is transforming the diving industry and what travelers should look for when choosing a truly sustainable dive center.Check out more on greenfins.net and coraltrianglecenter.org Follow us on instagram @sustainabletraveltalks

What happens when luxury travel meets genuine sustainability? In this episode of Sustainable Travel Talks, we sit down with Natalie Lyall-Grant, Head of Positive Impact at Jacada Travel, to explore how the high-end travel industry is rethinking its role in creating meaningful, ethical experiences.From regenerative tourism and community partnerships to redefining what “luxury” really means, Natalie shares how travelers and tour operators alike can shift from excess to impact — proving that sustainability isn’t just possible in luxury travel, it can actually elevate it.Check out Jacada Travel here: https://www.jacadatravel.com/ Follow us on Instagram @sustainabletraveltalks for more behind-the-scenes insights and updates.

What would make you sell your home, leave your country, and start over? For Jill Barton, a trip to Egypt changed everything. Shocked by the suffering of working horses, donkeys, and camels, she co-founded Egypt Equine Aid, a charity providing free veterinary care and fighting for animal welfare.In this episode of Sustainable Travel Talks, we explore Jill’s extraordinary journey, the hidden cruelty behind animal tourism, and what we as travelers can do to make more ethical choices, while supporting NGOs that are driving change.Check out more on Egypt Equine Aid here: https://egyptequineaid.org/ Follow us on instagram @sustainabletraveltalks

In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the world of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) with the sustainable tourism consultant Samantha Smits.Samantha shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship (in the space of a few months), detailing her comprehensive studies and hands-on experience in fostering community-led tourism initiatives. Through her story, we uncover the nuanced balance between reaping the benefits of tourism and mitigating its environmental impacts.Samantha's expertise shines as she explores the transformative power of CBT, highlighting how it empowers communities, preserves cultural heritage, and promotes environmental stewardship.We also tackle the challenging yet crucial conversation about finding harmony between tourism development and environmental conservation, offering insights into sustainable practices that benefit both the planet and its people. For those looking to dive deeper into Samantha's work or connect with her, visit her website at https://smitssustourconsultancy.com/. Join us in this enlightening discussion that bridges the gap between passion, purpose, and the planet.

Join us for a captivating episode as we explore the dynamic world of sustainable travel in South East Asia with Stuart McDonald, the esteemed creator of Travelfish and Couchfish. Living and traveling in the region since 1993, McDonald is an unrivaled expert in South East Asian travel. His unique insights and extensive experience make him a leading voice in promoting sustainable travel practices. https://www.travelfish.org/

In this episode, we speak with Jenny Gray, the mastermind behind Intrepid Travel's women-only expeditions, about how sustainable travel and female empowerment intersect.Join us as we explore the benefits of traveling with a group of like-minded women and how it can lead to positive impacts both locally and globally.Jenny shares her insights on the unique challenges and opportunities of organizing women-only trips, and how they've become a popular choice for women who want to break free from traditional travel norms.We also discuss how Intrepid Travel is dedicated to sustainable tourism, and the measures they take to ensure their trips have a positive impact on the communities they visit.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who's interested in exploring the world in a meaningful and sustainable way, and for women who are looking to connect with other adventurous and empowered travelers. So join us as we dive into the world of women-only travel and discover how it can lead to personal growth, community development, and a better planet for all.

In this episode, we interview Susanna Shankar (or Sooz) who is an enviromental scientist and travel expert on the complex relationship between biodiversity & tourism.Biodiversity and tourism are often viewed as two opposing forces, but is that really the case? On one hand, tourism can bring in revenue and promote conservation efforts, but on the other hand, it can also have negative impacts on natural ecosystems and wildlife.In this episode, we delve into the complex relationship between biodiversity and tourism, exploring the ways in which they can either work together or clash. Through case studies and expert insights, we examine the various strategies that can be employed to ensure that tourism and biodiversity can coexist in a sustainable manner. Join Susanna & Peigi as they explore the intricate relationship between these two forces and uncover whether they can truly be friends or foes.Find out Susanna and her amazing blog space here - https://curiositysavestravel.com/ Want to experince true local travel? Find a local on your next advenutre with our sponsor here: https://www.withlocals.com/