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.

Community-based tourism: how your trip can make a positive impact on local people
Community-based tourism, Positive impact, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of people, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of experiences Tom Aussems Community-based tourism, Positive impact, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of people, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of experiences Tom Aussems

Community-based tourism: how your trip can make a positive impact on local people

Community-based tourism can reap great rewards. Done well, it enables local organisations to protect precious habitats, preserve unique culture and empower grassroots employees, says Francisca Kellett from National Geographic.

Read More
Palau's world-first 'good traveller' incentive
An even distribution of experiences, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of people, Nature conservation Tom Aussems An even distribution of experiences, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of people, Nature conservation Tom Aussems

Palau's world-first 'good traveller' incentive

In a world-first initiative, visitors to Palau will be offered exclusive experiences based on how they treat the environment and culture, not by how much they spend, says Lindsey Galloway from BBC.

Read More
Meet [the] cultural leader keeping Costa Rica's endangered Bribri culture alive
An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of experiences, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of people, Community tourism Tom Aussems An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of experiences, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of people, Community tourism Tom Aussems

Meet [the] cultural leader keeping Costa Rica's endangered Bribri culture alive

The Bribri leader explains how, in her village of Yorkin, just upriver from the Caribbean coast, she’s brought back the Bribri language from the brink of extinction, creating a sustainable tourism destination in the process, says Jamie Lafferty from National Geographic Traveller.

Read More
How to Honor Indigenous Communities When You Travel
An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of money, Indigenous culture, Community tourism Tom Aussems An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of money, Indigenous culture, Community tourism Tom Aussems

How to Honor Indigenous Communities When You Travel

Today, [in what we now call the United States,] there are 546 federally recognized tribes. Here’s how to engage respectfully and thoughtfully with Indigenous cultures […], says Iona Brannon from AFAR.

Read More
Hawai‘i Is Not Our Playground
An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of people, An even distribution of money Tom Aussems An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of people, An even distribution of money Tom Aussems

Hawai‘i Is Not Our Playground

For years, Hawai‘i has been packaged as a picturesque paradise. A place where […] travelers could forget the worries of home. The problem? Hawai‘i’s land, history, and people are often ignored or trampled. Chris Colin from AFAR reports on the locals who are pushing back.

Read More
Sustainable tourism – now is the time to change the way we travel
Sustainable travel, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of knowledge Tom Aussems Sustainable travel, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of knowledge Tom Aussems

Sustainable tourism – now is the time to change the way we travel

The pandemic has altered how we think about tourism. Chris Haslam from The Times assesses the impact of our holidays on the environment, and knows the organisations and initiatives that will help you make informed choices

Read More
Unexpected traditions protected by UNESCO
Cultural heritage, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of people Tom Aussems Cultural heritage, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of people Tom Aussems

Unexpected traditions protected by UNESCO

[…]. In 2008, UNESCO decided to expand its reach and created a List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The list includes performing arts, rituals, traditions, social practices, knowledge, and crafts. But it goes well beyond festivals and dances. Rachelle Pretto from Travel Tomorrow shares 10 curious traditions inscribed on the [list].

Read More
Community development through tourism in Northeast-Uganda
An even distribution of people, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of experiences, Community tourism Tom Aussems An even distribution of people, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of experiences, Community tourism Tom Aussems

Community development through tourism in Northeast-Uganda

Through sustainable tourism, Kara-Tunga aims to improve livelihoods of the indigenous communities and preserve cultural heritage in the Karamoja region.

Read More
Decolonizing Travel: Going Ethically to Under-Resourced Countries
Ethical travel, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of knowledge Tom Aussems Ethical travel, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of knowledge Tom Aussems

Decolonizing Travel: Going Ethically to Under-Resourced Countries

Traveling is more at our reach than ever, and while we can all agree on the positive aspects of that, it also makes it necessary to place real thought onto our privileges and duties as travelers, says Mavi Parra from Passion Passport.

Read More
How a lodge in KwaZulu-Natal works for a better life for all […]
An even distribution of money, An even distribution of knowledge Tom Aussems An even distribution of money, An even distribution of knowledge Tom Aussems

How a lodge in KwaZulu-Natal works for a better life for all […]

Since the days of the former tourism boasting about the growth of global tourism almost 20 years ago […], the local tourism industry has grown to become one of the largest employers in South Africa. Angus Begg from the Daily Maverick highlights the role of a particular establishment that has set somewhat of a benchmark in the area, if not the province: Three Tree Hill in Hambrook village.

Read More
The Good Traveler – A Mental Packing List
An even distribution of experiences, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of people Tom Aussems An even distribution of experiences, An even distribution of knowledge, An even distribution of money, An even distribution of people Tom Aussems

The Good Traveler – A Mental Packing List

Thanks to the pandemic and the climate emergency, traveling, especially long-distance travel, has become far less commonplace and far more considered. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Design Hotels has shared a mental packing list that allows us to travel better.

Read More