Philosophy:
The Evolved Traveler wishes to change the world for the better one journey at a time. We believe we don’t have to give anything up to live our dreams; we only have to give back. (How we give):
We design meticulously planned journeys for each of our guests; they are as individual as our guests. Each journey is based on authentic experiences that enrich the lives of our guests, as well
as those they meet. On every trip, guests will have the opportunity to donate a few hours to philanthropic causes that The Evolved Traveler will support in each country. This might be a school where guests provide needed school supplies and interact with the students or a women's organization that supports cultural heritage. Here is an example of one such organization in Peru:
Qaytu Kausay is an association of female weavers from the Parobamba - Paucartambo community founded in 1995, a time when the knowledge of textile art of the Peruvian pre-Columbian cultures that resided in this region of the Andes was in the hands of just a few and on the brink of becoming a lost art. Qaytu Kausay now fosters cultural exchange by allowing domestic and foreign guests to be part of the experience which includes: identifying camelids (alpaca, llama, vicuna guanaco whose fibrous hair is used in the textiles), dyeing, weaving and interpreting ancient iconography. This is done with the intent of encouraging and promoting their trade and to preserve ancient traditions as well as conveying this knowledge to future generations creating opportunities for their own social and economic development. Two core values of The Evolved Traveler are philanthropy and charity through the travel experiences we provide. We believe this requires us to actively participate in this process as an organization. We will accomplish this by donating a total of up to 5% of gross revenue on every trip booked in the following way:
A. A
global movement of companies which
donate at least 1% of their annual net
revenues to environmental organizations
worldwide. We will work with Carbonfund.org to offset
the carbon footprint for every trip. We will donate 3% to the charity of the
guest’s choice such as the American
Cancer Society, Make-a-Wish, or more
internationally focused charities such as
Nothing but Nets (providing mosquito
netting for areas where this is any issue)
or Water for Life which provides fresh
water or access to it for
villages/towns/regions that don't have it. There will be 10-12 charities to choose
from and the donation will come from The
Evolved Traveler’s revenue, made on
behalf of the guests with no direct
donation required of them. Sustainability:
We believe that Sustainable Tourism is crucial to the future of our business and our planet. Our philosophy is simple: when we treat the environment as an integral part of our daily lives and not just an afterthought, we ensure the health of the planet and the well-being of future generations. Sustainability is also one of the core values of The Evolved Traveler; it is fundamental not only to what we do as a company and the journeys we plan for our guests, but we strive to implement sustainability in our everyday lives as well. It is passion that motivates us daily. There is no “one size fits all” solution for the number of issues that ail our planet, our environment, and even the multitude of cultures among us. Recognizing that, we have resourced the sustainability guidelines set forth by several organizations we consider to be at the forefront of this effort. They are: The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Sustainable Tourism International and UNESCO. The guidelines adopted by The Evolved Traveler for sustainable tourism focus on three primary areas:
• Maximize social and economic benefits for
the local community
• Enhance cultural heritage
• Reduce negative impacts to the
environment
Together, we will make a lasting positive change on people and the planet. Who We Are:
Justin Smith
The founder and president of The Evolved Traveler, Justin Smith is a 30-year veteran of the travel and cruise industries. Having traveled to over 100 countries, he possesses extensive international knowledge and a high level of expertise in itinerary and tour development. Justin continually strives to bring new and rewarding experiences to his guests worldwide. Believing that travel could “evolve” into something even more rewarding and inspiring not only to the travelers themselves but also to the people they encounter and countries they visit on their journeys, Justin decided to create The Evolved Traveler. This is a unique approach to travel that encompasses all the aspects of international luxury journeys, combined with philanthropic and charitable elements. His philosophy is simple: “We don’t have to give up anything; we simply have to give back.”
Justin resides in Los Angeles not far from where he grew up, but continues to travel the world at every opportunity. He participates in community activities as well as spending time enjoying the “outdoor” lifestyle that Los Angeles affords his family and friends. Ryan Biggs
Ryan Biggs is the Director of Sustainability and Green Initiatives at The Evolved Traveler. As a young boy, Ryan enjoyed camping and exploring the outdoors, and while walking the path toward the rank of Eagle Scout, he learned the importance of leaving nature in better condition than he found it. That lesson has never left him, and was an integral part in his decision to study Sustainability at Arizona State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Ryan visualizes a world where people of all backgrounds are able to work together in harmony for a sustainable future. When he's not saving the planet, Ryan enjoys Formula 1 Racing, hunting down that elusive perfect chimichanga, and spending time with his two princesses...his daughters.
