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A partnership between Airbnb and payment platform Klarna allows guests to ‘Pay Over Time’ for stays in rental properties – useful at a time of rising prices. Nick Hendry reports

Airbnb and Klarna have joined forces to launch Pay Over Time with Klarna, a new way for guests to spread the cost of a home rental over a number of months. The launch is part of a phased global roll-out that will see Klarna and Airbnb offering an alternative way to pay in for guests across three continents by early 2024.

First launched in North America in summer 2023, Pay Over Time allows UK guests to apply to pay for their next stay in three interest-free installments over two months.

Pay Over Time is also now available to guests in the UK for reservations priced between £35 and £4,000. The option also recently launched in eight other countries across Europe including the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, with more expected early next year.

Amanda Cupples, Airbnb general manager of Northern Europe, says: “We’re pleased to bring Pay Over Time with Klarna to the UK, giving guests greater flexibility to spread their payments over a number of weeks or months. Whether you’re booking a solo trip, or organising a get together with friends, choosing the right payment plan has just become a lot easier.”

Guests are presented with the option at checkout to either pay for their reservation in full at the time of booking or to Pay Over Time with Klarna, and are seamlessly taken through to the payment platform.

In the latter half of 2023 Airbnb has been making a series of upgrades to the way the platform operates. The roll-out of over 50 new features began in May of this year, ostensibly in direct response to customer feedback.

Some of the changes are more subtle than others – such as an improvement to Pins when saving potential hosts on the map, and a more intelligent auto-complete in the Search function – but arguably the most useful and interesting for travellers is the ability to spread the cost of a stay over several months, interest-free.

Consumers have become familiar with Klarna’s flexible payment options in recent years thanks to their rapid expansion throughout the online retail space, with major retailers such as Mr Porter and travel agents like Expedia already penning deals with the firm.

Airbnb predicted 2023 to be their all-time busiest summer travel period, and expected travellers post-pandemic to be more keen to connect with locals in their destination than ever before.

The initial rollout of the “Pay Over Time” scheme was limited to guests in the US and Canada, with international availability subsequently added. Applications to pay in four instalments over a six-week period are offered at checkout.The addition of this new payment option was not the only nod Airbnb made to more affordable travel this year.  As it forecast over 300 million guest arrivals for the year, the company also announced the launch of Airbnb Rooms, billed as an “all-new take on the original Airbnb” in an official release.

Searches have been redesigned to make accessing low-cost private rooms in hosts’ residences easier, as well as Host Passports to increase transparency and safety and clearer information on exactly how private each individual room really is.

Airbnb reports over 80 per cent of these rooms as being under US$100 per night, and see them as an important tool to help travel become more accessible, claiming the current economic climate and a reaction to pandemic “isolation” to be driving travellers’ desire to connect more with hosts.

“With Airbnb Rooms, we’re getting back to the idea that started it all – back to our founding ethos of sharing,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. “Airbnb Rooms are often more affordable than hotels, and they’re the most authentic way to experience a city. This is the soul of Airbnb.”

Other new features found in the most recent re-design of the app include total price display in all searches – doing away with the practice of delaying substantial portions of the price until checkout – instant availability of re-booking credit in the event a host cancels last-minute, and a reduction in fees after the third month of a long-term booking.

These changes sit alongside more than 25 updates to the hosting experience and make up what the company calls their “design-driven approach” to constantly improving Airbnb.

According to an October 2023 report in the Financial Times, Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky said that from next year the online rental company would “go a little bit beyond its core business”, including an expansion of its experiences and services.

He pointed to more changes that would mark the “biggest update to Airbnb ever”. “Travel is our sweet spot,” he said. “Eventually the big frontier for Airbnb is to go beyond travel,” adding that “there’s an eventual opportunity for Airbnb to become a greater part of your daily life. Not just once or twice a year.” Offering rentals of up to a year represented a “huge opportunity”. It could even more into peer-to-peer car rentals.

In November 2023, Airbnb announced more upgrades to its platform including 2 million “Guest Favorites” based on the most highly rated properties around the world. (Apparently, every minute, over 100 five star reviews are submitted on Airbnb.)

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Guests of all abilities can now explore the African bush thanks to accessible wheelchair safaris hosted by Ximuwu Lodge. Gemma Harris reports

Thanks to wheelchair accesible safaris, Ximuwu Lodge in South Africa says people are “no longer limited by physical constraints, and everyone can partake in the adventure and create unforgettable memories” when they visit.

Ximuwu Lodge is located in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, bordering the famous Great Kruger region, and is owned and operated by Patrick and Elly Suverein.

The property’s innovative wheelchair safaris were developed after Patrick underwent back surgery, leaving him reliant on a wheelchair. It was at this point that he recognised the absence of safari lodges when travelling around Africa in 2017 that could cater to his accessibility needs.

Ximuwu Lodge stands as the sole accommodation within the 6,500-hectare of private reserve and is accessed by a short flight to the nearest airport of Hoedspruit or a six-hour drive from Johannesburg. All transfers arranged in adapted land cruisers are also wheelchair accessible.Guided by rangers, safaris can be taken using the accessible gameviewer vans designed to accommodate wheelchairs. For viewing and to get close to nature, there are mobile ramps to access both morning and afternoon photographic hide locations strategically positioned for optimal lighting and opportunity for capturing the Big Five and other wildlife.

Accessibility has been considered everywhere, with thoughtful design details peppered throughout the property, including spacious corridors, wide doorways, a portable pool hoist to access the water, accessible bathroom features, grab rails and electronically adjustable bed configurations to cater to guests’ needs. For mealtimes, the lodge comes with a private chef who can host versatile culinary arrangements, whether a bush picnic, formal dinners or poolside snacks. A mixologist and sommelier are on hand at the lodge to advise on all guest drinks and pairing options.

Ximuwu Lodge has four private suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the plains, sleeping a total group size of eight guests. Amenities consist of indoor and outdoor dining areas, a lounge, a sun deck and a firepit, as well as a 16-metre swimming pool.

In addition, the lodge experience includes 24-hour butler service, access to a spa, scenic helicopter flights and a secluded treehouse for open-air sleeping.

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Globetrender has debuted its new podcast Blue Sky Thinking, which takes listeners on a conversational journey with the innovators and visionaries shaping the future of travel.

Season one of Blue Sky Thinking is sponsored by the world’s leading travel metasearch platform KAYAK, and includes interviews with the likes of Tom Williams, who is the founder of Desert Island Survival and winner of the UK edition of wilderness survival show Alone, which is currently airing on Channel 4.

Hosted by Globetrender editor, founder and CEO Jenny Southan, Blue Sky Thinking is a “celebration of audacious thinking”. Southan says: “Blue Sky Thinking is a podcast that explores the bold ideas that are pushing out boundaries and broadening our horizons.”

Other guests on the eight-episode series include renowned hotelier Bill Bensley, Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant, Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA for Intrepid Travel, and Michael Henderson, co-founder of Moon World Resorts.

Southan says: “As a travel journalist and trend forecaster I have had the privilege of meeting and interviewing numerous extraordinary entrepreneurs who are not only tearing up the rule book when it comes to creating next-gen travel experiences but setting about solving some of the world’s most profound problems – and in so doing are forming a blueprint for force-for-good tourism.

“In shifting from the written word to audio, I am harnessing an alternative medium for storytelling that is more intimate, immediate and engaging. All the guests on Blue Sky Thinking are people with truly original minds and have so many inspiring ideas that – simply put – need to be heard first-hand. Globetrender believes that this podcast has the power to change the world.” Tom Williams, founder of Desert Island Survival, says: “When I spend time in the wilderness and distill life down to its natural essence, I feel my best self, a clarity overcomes my mind and I do my best thinking – you could say ‘blue sky thinking’. It should not be a surprise that when we align with living how we did for 99% of our existence we feel our best.

“We are Palaeolithic animals living in the captivity of modern society. When I take people to desert islands they experience this same elevated happiness and clarity, and take home with them a new perspective to apply to live and a happier and healthier life.

“I know I am biased but I believe we all need to spend more time reconnecting with nature and our inner primal self. So I want to take this further – we are looking to offer new experiences to allow businesses to galavanise and regenerate their C-level teams through shared adversity and true human connection through disconnection and immersion in nature.

“Finally, I want to work for nature; I want to be part of the solution when it comes to preserving wildernesses. As such, my long-term goal is to create a social movement to preserve wilderness through crowd-funded fractional purchasing. All of the pristine islands we currently maroon people on are for sale and will one day be consumed by tourism. We could work together to preserve them for future generations and maintain them as the important refuges for nature that they still are today.”

Peer Bueller, chief financial officer at KAYAK, says: “At KAYAK we see travel as a force for good, shaping not just our journeys but our lives, connecting people and cultures, and creating unforgettable experiences.

“Therefore, we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of discussions that explore the future of travel through our sponsorship of Blue Sky Thinking. Our investment in the podcast underscores our ongoing commitment to educate and inspire people about the limitless possibilities of exploration, while promoting forward thinking and innovation within the travel industry.”

BLUE SKY THINKING EPISODES:

1. Tom Williams, founder of Desert Island Survival, on the power of embracing your inner Neanderthal

Winner of the UK series of Alone, Tom reveals how he survived solo in the Alaskan wilderness (and what he’s doing with the prize money); why people pay him to be marooned on tropical islands; and how walking to the North Pole gave him the self-confidence to make a major life change.

2. Britnie Turner, founder of Aerial BVI, on creating a utopian private island for personal transformation

A self-made multi-millionaire, Britnie shares her secrets to “whole life success”; why she is training a team of ex-army veterans to save people in disaster zones; and the US$10,000 retreats she hosts in the British Virgin Islands that will help you find your calling.

3. Bill Bensley, founder and creative director of Bensley, on designing hotels that save the world

A radical architect, artist, landscape and interior designer, Bill speaks about building his “most ambitious” (and yet to open) project in the Republic of the Congo; his experience of being a married gay man in Thailand; his vision for building a “human zoo” in China; and employing former poachers to protect the rainforest that surrounds his luxury camp Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia.

4. Portia Hart, owner of Blue Apple Beach, on taking the Côte d’Azur to Colombia

An entrepreneurial expat from the UK, Portia discusses trading her life in the super yacht industry for building an eco hotel and beach club on an island off the coast of Cartagena; how to turn used beer bottles into a tool for social uplift; and why she doesn’t want to create a franchise (and what she wants to do instead).

5. Michael Henderson, co-founder of Moon World Resorts, on building lunar colonies on Earth

After an evening of Guinness drinking, Michael speaks about how he had a dramatic realisation about what he would spend the next 20 years of his life trying to make a reality; why giant replicas of the moon will offer an affordable alternative to going into space; and why his school teacher said he was either going to be a “billionaire or a failure”.

6. Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato, on life-changing adventures for the super-rich

A pre-eminent experience designer and travel addict, Tom shares his predictions for the future of luxury journeys; designing movie-inspired James Bond itineraries (costing upwards of £15,000); finding the perfect business partners; and turning an obsessive love of exploration into a multi-million-pound business.

7. Peer Bueller, chief financial officer for Kayak, on why you should never ‘fake it til you make it’

A self-effacing, mountain climbing, business leader, Peer shares why it’s ok to be an introvert (even as a public speaker); how it’s possible to have fun and make money at the same time; and the role of artificial intelligence in travel planning of tomorrow.

8. Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA for Intrepid Travel, on travel as a force for good

A former finance specialist turned advocate for women’s rights, Zina discusses Intrepid Travel’s journey to becoming a world-leading sustainable tour company; why it’s imperative to support Indigenous communities; and her vision for creating a global tour guide school.

Produced by Bespoken Media

Blue Sky Thinking is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music. All episodes can also be accessed on globetrender.com/podcast

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Trojena will be a unique four-season destination that goes beyond winter athletics within Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Neom project. Olivia Palamountain reports

Saudi Arabia has announced plans to construct Trojena, a one-of-a-kind mountain destination that will serve as a sustainable ski resort within the innovative Neom project.

Located 50km inland from the Gulf of Aqaba coast, Trojena will span nearly 60 sq km across elevations from 1,500m to 2,600m, and will house six distinctive clusters that blend real with virtual architectural and engineering innovations.

The area experiences sub-zero winter temperatures, along with a year-round moderate climate, making it ideal for winter sports – however surreal that sounds.According to officials, Trojena aims to be an engineering feat as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly ski resorts, with renewable energy, minimised water usage and maximum water recovery enabling carbon neutral snow production without chemical additives.

An all-year Ski Village will offer hotels, outdoor activities, dining and entertainment so that visitors can enjoy winter sports in colder months and other pursuits during warmer months.

The destination will comprise a man-made freshwater lake to accommodate water sports and offer over 100 indoor and outdoor activities to attract adventure seekers – think hiking, kayaking, water sports, skiing, zip lining, alpine coaster, mountain biking, skateboarding, bicycling, climbing, snow sports and ice skating.

Trojena will also also host concerts, festivals, exhibitions and other cultural events. There will even be a 3,000-seat mountainside amphitheatre. Other highlights include “The Vault”, a vertical village carved into the mountainside with retail dining and nightlife.

In total, Trojena will house more 3,500 hotel rooms and 42,000 sqm of retail space. Luxury Slope Residences with panoramic views are also planned.

Officials say a key goal is making new sports such as skiing accessible to Saudis and others in the region.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced plans for Trojena in 2022; engineers have already broken ground on infrastructure to turn the ambitious sustainable mountain resort concept into reality.

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Black Tomato has launched a ‘joyful’ collection of group experiences that are designed to bring people together at a specific place and point in time. Jenny Southan reports

Luxury adventure travel company Black Tomato says it has had a long-held belief that some experiences are “exponentially more meaningful and memorable when shared with those you love”.

This has inspired Black Tomato to review the best and worst parts of group travel and to develop a new innovative range of pick-and-mix experiences called “See You in the Moment“, which take place at a specific place and point in time.

Working with partners around the world, Black Tomato has curated a collection of more than 30 “remarkable travel moments”, which can be incorporated into existing or newly created Black Tomato itineraries. They are categorised by: The Meal, The Event, The Challenge, The Journey and The Celebration.

Rather than booking a restaurant or private chef for a birthday dinner, Black Tomato suggests organising a gourmet banquet (The Meal) inside Iceland’s Thrihnukagigur volcano crater, illuminated by a thousand candles.

For a VIP bonanza, Black Tomato can take groups to Italy for Siena’s famous biannual Palio horse race (The Event) where they will watch the medieval spectacle from a private balcony overlooking the Piazza del Campo.

Alternatively, a group might want to embark on an expedition down the Apurimac River (The Challenge), through the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley, where they will navigate the otherwise inaccessible Ancient Valley of the Incas by raft, staying at “mind-blowing” luxury campsites along the way.

Tom Marchant, co-founder, Black Tomato, says: “Serving as an antidote to over-scheduled, time-poor stressors that pervade our busy lives, ‘See You in the Moment’ encourages being fully present in the moment with others; being mindful, which by design is innately therapeutic.

“At Black Tomato, we have a deep understanding of the psychology of travel, pioneering travel experiences designed to be transformative and bring lasting impact, from getting lost (Get Lost) to find yourself in Mongolia, to harnessing travel as a self-improvement tool, with Bring it Back.

“Ultimately, we believe these unforgettable shared experiences foster a profound sense of belonging and togetherness, bonding a group by becoming part of their shared narrative. While some moments can still be enjoyed as a couple, there are some that are so much better with more people, when ten years on you just have to look at a friend and there’s an immediate connection from the past that keeps you reminiscing together down the line.”

While Black Tomato has long excelled in executing group trips, the new range of “shared moments” are hoped to appeal to families and friends who want to “connect and commit to carving out time to do more incredible things together with those who matter”.

Black Tomato says: “In looking at how we curate and optimise group travel, which is traditionally defined by compromise, from a practical perspective, a core innovation of ‘See You in the Moment’ is bringing everyone together for a celebratory moment, made all the more poignant and captivating when shared with others, but allowing everyone’s individual needs to be met via bespoke itineraries.

“Crucially, this flexible and customised approach, which removes common friction from the inherent challenges and frequent pain points of group travel, is driven from years of hearing about myriad challenges when clients attempt to organise group trips themselves, with one set itinerary for all.”

Here are some examples of See You In The Moment experiences:

The Meal: Dining under the midnight sun in the Lofotens, Norway

A gourmet private retreat in the Nordics, perched on a secluded beach on an uninhabited island in the Lofotens, is where guests will enjoy the best of nature’s bounty, while relishing the simplicity of living in the elements. A tailored takeover allows creating a memorable multi-day adventure, with options for hiking, kayaking, surfing, RIB boats, cold-water plunges, while a team of world-class chefs and artisans will create magnificent meals throughout the stay, culminating in a gastronomic beach barbecue on a deserted shore accessed by Zodiac; a magical setting for sharing stories.

The Event: Discovering the Lost Songkran, Thailand

Celebrations for the bucket-list festival, Songkran, take place in a local village in the untouristed Isaan region of Thailand, with the chance to forge cherished local connections. Lost and forgotten traditions await discovery as guests will observe the festivities at a temple, take part in a traditional rural temple blessing of the elders, join the night market merriment, and spend an evening with a historian explaining the origins and variations of Songkran across Thailand. Back in a luxurious exclusive-use villa, a private celebration will include a joyous, no-holds-barred water fight with water guns, water balloons, a sand pagoda building contest, and a lavish Thai feast to wrap the day.



The Challenge: An expedition to the last extremity of The Andes, Peninsula Mitre, Argentina

An intrepid and first of its kind exclusive expedition to the very tip of Tierra del Fuego, an almost unknown corner of the world, where guests will tackle an extreme physical challenge together and celebrate their sense of esprit de corps, against the backdrop of crashing surf at the confluence of the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans. Far from Argentina’s usual travel circuit, this high adrenaline trip combines helicopter and sailboat journeys, hiking and horseback riding, with specially built nomadic campsites along the way, all designed to test the group’s endurance and spark camaraderie, in total isolation from civilisation.

The Journey: Exploring untouched oceans surrounding Poor Knight Islands, New Zealand

Onboard a privately chartered, sustainable motor yacht, affiliated with ocean conservation charity, Live Ocean, which works to protect the fragile underwater ecosystems, guests will embark on a pioneering journey to explore untouched oceans off the remote, undeveloped Poor Knight Islands, in search of some of the world’s best diving. Accessible only by sea, this life-affirming experience offers a new perspective on New Zealand and culminates in a collective dive into the subtropical waters amidst orcas, dolphins and rays, before spending the evening stargazing, mesmerised by the clear night skies devoid of any light pollution, replete with an astro-photographer onboard

The Celebration: Ring in the New Year with a Celtic Celebration, Scotland

Blend tradition and modernity in a fitting NYE celebration, immersed in the rich history of the highlands. Learn from the land in bushcraft survival while imbibing on the spirits of the region, learning to pair flavours with modern spices. Explore the mysteries of the loch before participating in a personalised Highland Games, both as spectator and athlete. A gala complete with traditional Ceilidh dancing will ring in the New Year with an awe-inspiring firework display shimmering over the waters of the loch.

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Following the success of Barbie’s Dream House, Airbnb has created a unique homestay modelled on the movie-set abode of Shrek, complete with morning waffles and an outdoor toilet. Jenny Southan report

Located among the hills of the Scottish Highlands, Shrek’s Swamp is a “stumpy, secluded haven fit for a solitude-seeking ogre,” says Airbnb, which has gone to great efforts to bring the movie Shrek to life.

With Donkey in charge, guests will have the chance to live their own versions of the layered ogre life for two special, starry nights (minus the torches, pitchforks, and intrusive Duloc Knights).

A former refuge for fairytale creatures, Shrek’s Swamp brings a whole new meaning to the term “treehouse”. With its clever use of forestry, charmingly rustic interiors and iconic outhouse, the swamp is certain to offer an experience unlike any other.For £0 a night  – a nod to the priceless refuge Shrek’s Swamp has provided fairytale creatures of all kinds – “brogres” will be able to request to book an exclusive two-night stay for up to three guests between October 27 and October 29, 2023.

During their stay, guests will be able to:

• Relax in the ambiance of “earwax candlelight”
• Kick their feet up with a parfait
• Swap stories around the fire until late in the night
• Enjoy a stack of freshly made waffles in the morning
• The ultimate privacy of Shrek’s trusted outhouse toilet

Travellers can request to book Shrek’s Swamp from October 13 at 6pm BST at airbnb.com/shrek. Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Scotland.

To honour good childhood memories that last a lifetime, Airbnb will make a one-time donation to the HopScotch Children’s Charity, which provides some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children with respite breaks through nurturing and dynamic holidays.

In 2021, vacation rental platform Vacasa recreated the Grinch’s cave.

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‘Emily in Paris’ fans can now live out their own fantasy in the French capital on themed trips that bring the hit Netflix show to life. Olivia Palamountain reports

Netflix and startup Dharma are launching exclusive Emily in Paris-themed trips to Paris that will allow fans of the hit series to live vicariously through Emily’s adventures in the French capital.

Tapping into the trend for “Limelight Locations” (a term coined by Globetrender), the immersive four-night experiences will be led by lifestyle influencers or “Emileaders” and will feature events and activities inspired by the show’s colourful spirit and romanticised depiction of Paris.“We are very excited about our new partnership with Dharma, to create a bold and unique, curated travel experience that will immerse guests in memorable moments from Emily in Paris,” said Marie Marks, senior vice-president of themed experiences at Paramount. “People want to participate in experiences that bring their favorite brands to life in compelling and innovative ways that extend beyond the screen.”

“Series like Emily in Paris make you wish there was a ‘Book This Trip’ button at the end of every episode – that’s the opportunity we see ahead.”

Guests on Dharma’s Emily in Paris’-themed trips can partake in experiences such as private atelier visits, a Sylvie-inspired Masterclass on the art of seduction and a Lillet-Spritz cocktail-making session on one of Paris’ most iconic rooftops.

A shared room on the trip costs from US$2,700 per person, while a single supplement costs from US$3,600 per person.

“We crafted these ‘Paris by Emily’ trips to ensure guests leave Paris with something far more meaningful than just a souvenir beret and some photos. Our core conviction is that the future of travel is not about the where but the why,” said Charaf El Mansouri, CEO at Dharma. “So many of us seek travel experiences that are transformational. Series like Emily in Paris make you wish there was a ‘Book This Trip’ button at the end of every episode – that’s the opportunity we see ahead.”Ines Tazi, the Netflix TV Personality who is the first ambassador to host a “Paris by Emily” trip, said:
“This innovative concept is a brand-new adventure. I love creating bridges between online and offline, fiction and reality. Curating this new experience allows me to share what I cherish about Paris, from fashion and gastronomy to art and history. Just like Emily in Paris, this is an ode to the French capital for culturally curious minds.”Marylin Fitoussi, costume designer, Emily in Paris, adds: “You can expect a curation of retailers and designers true to the spirit of my work on the show that will excite, delight, and surprise. “Paris by Emily” will capture the essence of Emily Cooper’s fashionable adventures in Paris.”

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Tourism has ‘vast potential for good’, says co-founder of Responsible Travel, which has also started labelling the CO2 footprint of its trips. Jenny Southan reports

Similar to the nutritional content labels found on food and drink packaging, inovative new “carbon labels” show consumers the CO2 impact of the trips they book. Although carbon offsetting schemes are “likely junk“, measuring carbon impact is the first step to reducing it. It also makes people more conscious of their own carbon footprint.

With this in mind, Responsible Travel is rolling out carbon labelling to its 6,000 or so holidays. So far, about 350 of its trips have been carbon labelled but the company says that “in time, all our members will opt in to carbon labelling”.

How did it arrive at this decision? In 2020, Responsible Travel published a “small but groundbreaking” study measuring the CO2 emissions of a selection of its holidays. The detailed methodology wasn’t possible to scale up and apply across its operators, but the findings led the company to call for carbon labelling in tourism.

Three years on, Responsible Travel says it is “grateful to our partner Explore Worldwide for sharing their carbon measurement methodology with us – and crucially, for allowing us to share the tool with our network of 479 global tour and accommodation members”.

Justin Francis, founder and CEO of Responsible Travel, says: “As an industry, we need to do all we can to help facilitate a fair transition to lower carbon travel. Part of that is being transparent about the impacts of holidays. Introducing carbon labels to our site is another way to help our travellers make informed choices, as well as encourage further emissions reductions across trips on our site and in tourism more widely.

“Sharing ideas that move us all forwards is at the heart of the responsible travel movement, and its’s thanks to Explore Worldwide sharing their methodology that we can offer all our partners the opportunity to have their trips on our site carbon labelled.”

Further living up to its brand name, Responsible Travel has also published its first major impact report – Tipping The Scales – which examines company goals, actions, and progress between 2021-2023, as well as its wider work and story to date.

Since 2001, the company has screened 22,665 trips, and provided responsible tourism policy advice to more than 5,000 potential partners. This year, it has updated its screening criteria – strengthening its focus on reducing carbon, protecting and restoring nature, and improving inclusivity.

As an “activist company” with a 20-year “history of groundbreaking advocacy and campaign work on issues across tourism”, going forward it seeks to reduce carbon emissions from travel, and protect and restore nature.

Responsible Travel’s new purpose is: “To inspire travellers to discover our beautiful and fragile planet; act urgently to restore nature and reduce carbon whilst being honest about our limitations and our need to be more inclusive.”

Francis says: “Working in travel is a fantastic privilege, and comes with a responsibility to protect, and benefit, the places and communities we visit. Tipping The Scales examines how we’re working to do that, and how we’re progressing. But we’ll always have a drive to keep improving – and sharing the challenges we’ve encountered, and our learning, also felt important.

“Travel has vast potential for good, and the report highlights some of the many ways in which the industry, individual businesses and travellers can unleash that – and some inspiring stories of those who are already doing it so well.”

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With experience design on the rise in travel, the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg is tapping into the darker side of human emotions by finding out what really terrifies people. Jenny Southan reports

On October 11, 2023, thrill-seekers will convene at a secret location in Sweden for the “Peak Fear Experiment” an audacious venture orchestrated by Swedish amusement park Liseberg in partnership with scientists from the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark.

Since the inauguration of “Halloween at Liseberg” in 2015, nearly two million visitors have flocked to the Gothenburg-based amusement park to experience its spine-chilling Halloween attractions. In a bid to delve deeper into the psychology of fear, Liseberg and Recreational Fear Lab are now on a mission to discover the “sweet spot” between entertainment and discomfort.

Could being scared be good for you?

Mathias Clasen, PhD and co-director of the Recreational Fear Lab, suggests that indulging in frightening experiences could have numerous benefits. “Frightening entertainment may serve as a kind of fear vaccine, building resilience to stress and anxiety,” says Clasen. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Liseberg to apply our research in a real-world setting to optimise the art of scaring people in a fun and beneficial manner.”

Who can participate?

If you are over 18, revel in frightful experiences, and can make it to Sweden on the said date, you might be just the right candidate for this pioneering experiment. “We aim to find the perfect balance between fun and unpleasant fear,” says Mårten Westlund, PR and communications director at Liseberg.

According to Recreational Fear Lab, horror enthusiasts mainly fall into three categories: adrenaline junkies, those wanting to conquer their fears, and those who use these experiences to better navigate a frightening world.

What awaits participants?

Participants will be put through an array of fear-inducing scenarios designed to explore their “Peak Fear”. A jury comprising representatives from both the Recreational Fear Lab and Liseberg will select the brave souls willing to embark on this intriguing journey. All volunteers will be closely monitored by a team of physicians and psychologists, and a health examination will be conducted prior to the experiment.

“Liseberg specializes in crafting emotional experiences – be it through roller coasters, concerts, or horror events,” says Westlund. “Through ‘The Peak Fear Experiment,’ we aim to expand our understanding of fear to tailor more captivating and enjoyable experiences for our visitors in the future.”

Liseberg will cover all travel and hotel expenses for those chosen to partake in this unique endeavor, offering a fully immersive experience in the science of fear.

For anyone keen on pushing the boundaries of psychological thrill, this promises to be an unparalleled event, merging the realms of entertainment and scientific research.

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