Houdini Travel launches with a focus on lower-impact trips
Houdini’s 2015 travel initiative began with ski trips to Tarfala and Abisko, emphasizing nearby destinations and train travel.
In winter 2015, Houdini expanded its sustainability work into adventure travel. Its first two ski trips were organized with Pure Ski Touring and Carl Lundberg, a Houdini Friend and certified mountain guide.
“Have you thought about travel and the environment? Can you even take a ski trip if you want to live sustainably? Most of us have probably considered these questions in one way or another. We decided to investigate, and that led us to start Houdini Travel, a tour organizer aiming for more sustainable trips,” said Carl Lundberg.
The approach emphasized choosing destinations within reasonable reach, avoiding flights, and eating organic, locally produced food.
“Houdini Travel starts in winter 2015 with two ski trips, one to Tarfala and one to Abisko. It may cost more, take longer and taste different, but it will be worth it,” Lundberg concluded.
Houdini’s criteria for reducing the impact of travel
- Choose reasonable destinations. Faraway places may be tempting, but memorable experiences can also be found closer to home.
- Minimize flights. Houdini cited a Swedish Transport Administration comparison of air, rail, bus and car travel. Its approach favored train travel to destinations such as Kiruna.
- Make travel time valuable. The journey could be a chance to read, watch a film, finish emails, spend time with fellow travelers, listen to a talk or plan another adventure, instead of focusing only on arrival.
- Choose organic and local food. Houdini said it would use organic and locally produced products wherever possible on its trips as part of its environmental approach.
