Founded in 1987, Tucan’s core purpose has long been to provide adventures designed to raise awareness of diversity of people, cultures and habitats around the world, and encourage travellers to engage with them.
Clover’s role, though, will also see her focus her attentions inwardly as well on company and staff culture and how Tucan’s goal and purpose is communicated to, and embraced by, staff and managers.
“I believe we have always been a responsible tour operator,” said Tucan chief executive Matt Gannan. “We have always supported local people, local economies, animal welfare and been responsible about the way we travel through every place we visit. Tanya will be driving this vision – working with all teams and looking at what Responsible Travel means for us and our travellers.”
Clover brings a background in mental healthcare, and latterly in education and research within the health and social care industry – with a particular focus on safeguarding and human rights.
Her work will include showcasing how each Tucan tour operates responsibility, gathering insight and stories from staff and local operators.
She will also look at how the company, its staff and travellers can contribute to the work of charities that share the same values as Tucan.
Tucan said its mission was more important than ever amid a climate of “hard-right self-serving politics, the climate crisis and need for the global community to unite to fight separatism”.
“Responsible travel requires operators to work with individuals and communities to establish sustainable solutions that balance open travel and conservation and income generation and welfare,” said Tucan.
“Responsible must mean working to support education, safeguarding individuals and communities against exploitation and acting as mediator between industry and the environment – complex issues that require sensitive and consistent responses.”
