“We’re not claiming to be pioneers but I think increasingly, if you’re not a B Corp Certified business in our space, it’s a competitive disadvantage,” Edwards insisted.
Speaking to TTG after Explore became the latest travel business to achieve B Corp Certified, the culmination of a two-and-a-half year process, Edwards hailed the achievement one of his proudest moments during his time at Explore.
“Becoming B Corp Certified is one thing I’m most proud of because it means we do all the things we say we will do, and there’s a third party certifying that,” he said. “It’s not a pat on the back for yourself, it’s going through a rigorous process that says you’ve delivered on the things you’ve promised.”
The adventure specialist started its B Corp journey in November 2021, creating an 11-strong B Corp team spanning finance, sustainability, HR and product.
It submitted its application in January 2023, addressing more than 200 questions pertaining to B Corp’s five key pillars – community, workforce, environment, customers and governance.
Edwards said going through the B Corp process “makes you a better business”. “The more travel companies that become B Corp Certified will put pressure on the rest of the industry to maintain the standards to obtain and maintain that certification," he said.
"You either have to prove your claims in certain areas through data or process or structure, or you fundamentally have to change things in your business.”
Edwards said travellers were becoming more expectant of travel companies to operate more sustainably.
“If you can’t provide those components that make travelling more sustainable people will make choices based on that," he reasoned. "We’re not there yet, but we’re heading that way.
“They want to know you’re authentic, and they want to see some back up of that so it’s really important to be transparent.
“In the future, companies – where it is not evident – will suffer a little bit because it will become an expectation, I think. It’s a bit like your own home recycling – you would never not put things in different bins now because you’re so used to doing that and I think that will happen with travel in the future.”
Explore Worldwide will also publish its Purpose Paper on Monday (12 February) outlining its achievements over 2023, including meeting its carbon intensity target for the year, as well as setting out its objectives for 2024 and beyond.
