Let’s reinvent travel.
Leisure Lab is a think tank and media lab to promote sustainable tourism, or as we like to call it BREAK-EVEN TOURISM. In this LAB REPORTS section we publish news articles and create inspirational travel stories to help bring about positive change in the way we travel.
How a Group of Former Colombian Guerrilla Fighters Became Citizen Scientists
After half a century of armed conflict, Colombia’s ex-guerillas have no war to fight, says Addison Nugent from Discover. Their new mission: preserving biodiversity in the jungles they occupied for decades.
Wildlife economies: What are they and how do they impact conservation?
An analysis of COVID-19’s impact on conservation […] is not complete without considering the economic ramifications this pandemic has on the wildlife, wild lands, and people who […] are financially reliant on the tourism industry. African Wildlife Foundation’s CEO Kaddu Sebunya sat down to discuss the […] consequences brought by COVID-19 and the sudden drop in tourism. […].
Post-Covid, Safari Companies Rethink Who Should Stay at Their Lodges
Some operators are turning the classic business model on its head in hopes of increasing margins and better funding their conservation work. But doing so is a risky move all its own, says Mary Holland from Bloomberg.
From Poacher to Wildlife Ranger. What Changed his Mind?
Wildlife in the Leuser Ecosystem in Indonesia is endangered by illegal poaching activities, logging and unsustainable agricultural practices. Watch the video to learn more about how wildlife patrols protect not only animals, but also plant biodiversity.
Alladale Wilderness Reserve: Rewilding Scotland One Predator At A Time
Before Paul Lister purchased 23,000 acres in the Scottish Highlands and transformed it into one of the most stunning travel destinations in Europe today, the property was intended for a very different kind of guest, says Kate Eplboim from Regenerative Travel.
Is a Return to Travel Actually a Bad Thing?
For many of us, it’s been a year since we’ve been able to travel internationally. While dreaming of the day we can travel again, we’ve read stories about nature bouncing back and wildlife returning to areas previously overwhelmed by human activities. But has this break been positive for vulnerable ecosystems? And, if so, should we be concerned about the impending return of tourism? The answer, as you might expect, is complex.
The key to saving the world’s wildlife
From poaching to habitat loss – according to Dickson Kaelo, CEO of Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, local communities and indigenous people are vital in the fight to save wildlife. ‘When communities see wildlife as an asset, rather than a cost, conservation efforts begin yielding fruits.’
"New Big 5" project wants to change how we think about wildlife conservation
An international conservation effort wants to do away with the traditional “big five” concept in wildlife – originally based on the animals on the African savanna that were the hardest to shoot and kill. Instead, says Lonely Planet writer Alexander Howard, the “New Big 5” project aims to create a new list of the top five animals not for hunting, but for photographing.