Why Plotpackers Travels with Local Partners

1. We Work with Local People, Not Just Businesses

When you travel with Plotpackers, you’re not just visiting a place – you’re actively supporting the people who make it what it is. We partner with small, local suppliers who know their communities better than anyone: hostel owners, family-run tour operators, independent guides, and drivers who’ve spent years navigating their hometowns. At least 57% of the revenue Plotpackers made in 2024 went into the local economies we work in through our local partners hiring locals, and being from the area themselves.

These are people with deep roots in the places we go. They understand the culture, the history, the hidden gems, and the real pace of life. They’re not trying to impress with big marketing budgets – they simply care about sharing their world with you.

We don’t choose the biggest or flashiest companies – we choose the right ones. The ones who are invested in their neighbourhoods and passionate about sharing them. Itineraries have built in visits that support small, locally owned businesses (we also strive to ensure & platform female ownership here as much as we can)

This approach keeps tourism income local and supports long-term, sustainable growth. It also gives our travellers something more real: not a polished, scripted version of a place, but an experience led by people who live it every day. When you eat at their café, ride in their van, or hear their stories, you’re contributing directly to their future.

2. Shared Transport Builds Community on the Road

We use shared transport on all of our trips – not just because it’s better for the planet (more on that soon), but because it changes how people connect. A key driver in why our emissions are much lower than other companies is that we do not operate domestic flights, and instead opt for shared, overland transport options

There’s something special about travelling together. It creates spontaneous friendships. Some of the best moments happen between destinations – the road trip energy, the laughter and smiles. Travelling together helps people feel part of something. It brings strangers together and turns a group of individuals into a team.

And for our local drivers? It’s a chance to share stories too and for them tell you all about their country and growing up there.

3. It’s More Sustainable Without Being Complicated

Sustainability matters to us. We know travel has an impact, and we take steps to keep that impact as low as possible.

Using shared transport is one of the simplest, most effective ways we do this. It reduces emissions, cuts down on fuel use, and eases the environmental pressure in small towns and natural areas. Our group sizes are intentionally small to avoid crowding, and our routes are designed to minimise wasteful backtracking or excess travel.

We also work with local accommodation and activity providers who prioritise eco-conscious practices – from minimising plastic waste to using solar energy, conserving water, or sourcing ingredients locally for meals.

Plotpackers is carbon neutral, but we don’t just stop at offsetting. Our trip design actively focuses on keeping things light, intentional, and responsible – without taking away from the adventure. It’s about creating an experience that feels good while also doing good.

And we don’t expect travellers to be perfect – we just want to make the better choice the easier one.

4. Local Travel Feels More Real

There’s a big difference between seeing a country and actually feeling part of it.

When you travel with big global chains, you often end up in a bubble. You see the major sights, tick off the bucket list, and leave without ever really knowing the place.

But when you stay with local hosts, ride with local drivers, and hear stories from people who live where you’re travelling, the experience becomes more grounded. It slows you down. It makes you pay attention. It makes things personal.

Whether it’s the guesthouse owner who offers you breakfast with a side of history, the guide who shares the impact of climate change on their region, or the stallholder who teaches you how to pronounce a fruit you’ve never seen before – these are the moments that leave a lasting impression.

This is what we mean when we say we want travel to feel connected. Not curated – real.

5. It’s Good for Everyone – Including You

Using local suppliers and shared transport helps us keep our trips affordable, ethical, and inclusive. It allows us to invest in the communities we visit and in the experience of every traveller who joins us.

Because when more people benefit from tourism, it becomes more sustainable long-term. It also creates space for moments that aren’t in the itinerary.

It opens the door to moments that surprise you. People that inspire you. Conversations that stay with you longer than any landmark ever could.

When we travel this way, we all win – our travellers, our partners, and the places we care about. Here are a few examples:

• 57% of our revenue stays local (2024)
• Sustainability tips & education built into itineraries & briefings from local guides
• Calculated carbon footprints, visible on products for consumer awareness
• Focus on carbon reduction – ie no domestic flights
• Environmental factors in risk assessments

Final Thoughts

Every decision we make – from who drives the bus to where we sleep – reflects what we believe: that travel should be thoughtful, responsible, and full of real connection.

Choosing local partners and shared travel isn’t just a practical choice. It’s a promise. To go slower, to look closer, and to leave places better than we found them.

Want to experience travel that feels different – in the best way?

Explore our trips here!