About the slow travel manifesto
The slow travel manifesto is here because we are worried that the joy of travel is disappearing and by rushing to our destinations we are destroying the environment.
Relying on air travel is no longer sustainable. But there are alternatives. And these are wrapped up in slower forms of travel and bring about a more meaningful and memorable experience. Perhaps it's a holiday closer to home. Or an overland trip of a lifetime.
We've spent many months distilling our thoughts into one manifesto. We believe the Manifesto best sums up a swelling tide that is rejecting fast-paced travel in favour of slow living and authentic experiences. And we need your support.
Who we are
The people behind the Manifesto are all in their own ways showing that this new way to think about travel is possible.
Ed Gillespie is a co-founder of Futerra Sustainability Communications. His life-work involves helping companies to promote sustainability and encouraging others to follow. In 2007, Ed left the UK for a year-long slow travel voyage around the world which he recorded on his blog at lowcarbontravel.com.
Laura Burgess is the founder of ecoescape. In a bid to help travellers find greener alternatives in the UK, Laura published a guide called ecoescape to help. The guide was followed by a website (ecoescape.org) and now a new series that includes ecoescape: Ireland. Laura is a passionate believer that slow travel should begin at home.
Jamie Andrews runs Loco2, a new low carbon travel company focusing on gap years and travel to music festivals in Europe. As well as putting the finishing touches to loco2travel.com and building Loco2 into a full travel company, Jamie also consults on carbon reduction, and is especially interested in how open source web technologies can help in the fight against climate change.