Award-winning small group adventure operator, Explore Worldwide, has reached more than 50 Positive Impact Experiences (PIEs) across its global portfolio, as demand increases for more meaningful and positive travel experiences, and is already looking for more.
While PIEs are not new to Explore, the milestone marks the next stage in an approach that has long been part of its tours. From meeting community groups and learning traditional crafts to visiting conservation projects and supporting locally led tourism initiatives, Explore’s product teams have always sought out genuine experiences that connect travellers more closely with the places they visit.
Now, Explore is putting greater focus behind identifying, developing and adding these experiences across both its existing tours and new adventures, with the ambition of creating even more opportunities for travellers to have meaningful encounters that benefit the people, communities, cultures and wildlife they encounter along the way
Known as Positive Impact Experiences, or PIEs, these experiences range from community-led tourism and traditional crafts to conservation initiatives and projects protecting wildlife and the natural environment
For Explore, the benefit works both ways. These experiences can provide valuable support to local organisations and communities, while giving travellers the chance to see a different side of a destination, meet local people and understand more about the places they are visiting
The company says these genuine encounters are often among the most memorable moments of a trip, with its product teams continually looking for new opportunities and local partnerships that can be incorporated into its tours
Michael Edwards, Managing Director of Explore Worldwide, said: “We’ve been including experiences like these in our tours for many years, because we know that some of the most memorable moments of a trip come from meeting people, learning something new and getting a genuine insight into the place you’re visiting
“Reaching 50 Positive Impact Experiences is a great milestone, but for us it’s really about what comes next. Our product teams are constantly looking for new experiences and local partnerships that we can bring into our existing tours and build into new ones
“We want to keep finding ways for our customers to meet local people, discover different ways of life and see the positive impact tourism can have, while making their own holiday even more memorable.”
Hannah Methven, Sustainability Specialist at Explore Worldwide, said: “Our PIEs are a fundamental part of how we approach responsible travel, but they’re also about creating great, authentic experiences for our customers
“We hear from travellers that the moments they remember most are often those where they’ve had a genuine interaction with local people, discovered a different way of life or seen first-hand how tourism can support a community
“Reaching 50 is a fantastic milestone, but the exciting part is finding the next 50. Our teams are always looking for new opportunities that are genuinely beneficial to the destination and give our customers an experience they couldn’t get anywhere else.”
A flavour of Explore’s Positive Impact Experiences
The Spirit of Prespa Orchard – North Macedonia
The Spirit of Prespa Orchard brings together younger and older women from across the Prespa region, reflecting the cultural diversity of the area while encouraging cooperation between women from different ethnic backgrounds who share a common rural heritage
Older members of the programme preserve and pass on traditional recipes, food preparation techniques, agricultural knowledge and local customs, while younger women contribute organisational skills, innovation and hospitality expertise. The intergenerational approach helps keep local traditions alive while supporting the long-term sustainability of the project
For Explore travellers, the experience offers the opportunity to meet the women involved, learn about local traditions and discover how the project is helping to preserve knowledge and strengthen community connections
Misminay Community Visit – Peru
Community-based tourism initiatives in Misminay have been running since 2010, helping the rural community fund projects including a community greenhouse and education initiatives designed to help children remain within the community
For Explore travellers, the experience provides an opportunity to learn about everyday Andean life, from sharing traditional meals to taking part in weaving and agricultural activities
Explore part-funded the creation of the project with a local supplier more than 15 years ago, helping to support the families of Inca Trail porters. Today, the experience continues to give travellers a direct connection with the community while helping tourism contribute to local projects
Solheimar Eco Village – Iceland
Solheimar Eco Village is a pioneering sustainable community where people with and without special needs live and work together in an inclusive and creative environment
The village produces handmade candles, ceramics, woodcrafts, herbal products and organic vegetables, while its wider philosophy is rooted in social inclusion and environmental responsibility
Explore visits give travellers an insight into the community’s approach to sustainable living, while supporting local employment, traditional craftsmanship and the continuation of its social and environmental initiatives
With more than 50 Positive Impact Experiences now in place, Explore is continuing to develop new opportunities across its worldwide adventure portfolio
The milestone is part of the operator’s wider purpose-led approach. Sustainability has been part of Explore’s ethos since it was founded in 1981, with the company continuing to focus on people, places and planet alongside reducing its environmental impact
Explore’s latest Purpose Paper reported a 15% reduction in carbon intensity in 2025, alongside £81,413 donated to the Explore Foundation on behalf of travellers and the introduction of 46 new Positive Impact Experiences during the year
For Explore, the focus now is not simply on reaching a bigger number, but on continuing to find genuine, locally rooted experiences that make a positive difference to the places its customers visit – and make their adventures even more memorable
To discover Explore’s Positive Impact Experiences, visit: Explore Worldwide – Positive Impact Experiences. https://qa.explore.co.uk/positive-impact-experiences?utm_
