CSR Activities While Traveling: Leave a Positive Impact with Adventure Apes

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is evolving, and it's not just about reducing your environmental footprint or donating to charities anymore. Now companies are seeking ways to make their business trips more meaningful — not only for their teams but also for the communities they visit. Adventure Apes, a company dedicated to creating unique and sustainable travel experiences, understands this shift and has tailored CSR activities specifically for business travelers who want to make a difference while on the go.

Travel can be more than just meetings and conferences; it can be an opportunity to give back to the local community and leave a positive, long lasting impact. Adventure Apes arranges CSR activities in Finland that focus on building real connections, relieving loneliness, and fostering meaningful relationships with locals in the destination city or town. 

But.. What is CSR actually and why does it matter?

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a key pillar of ethical corporate behavior. No longer considered an optional or superficial initiative, CSR is now seen as an integral part of business strategy and organizational values. The modern consumer, employee, and investor increasingly expect companies to be responsible corporate citizens, addressing broader social, environmental, and economic challenges in meaningful ways. This shift has spurred businesses around the world to re-evaluate their roles, not just as profit-driven entities, but as forces for good within the communities they operate.

At its core, CSR is the commitment of businesses to operate in an ethical, transparent, and socially-conscious manner, taking into consideration the impact of their activities on the environment, society, and economy. It goes beyond the traditional goals of generating revenue and maximizing shareholder value; CSR aligns corporate interests with the long-term well-being of communities and ecosystems.

The concept of CSR has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, it was viewed as corporate philanthropy — where businesses would make charitable donations or sponsor community programs as an add-on to their core operations. However, as societal expectations of businesses have grown, CSR has transitioned into a more holistic approach. Today, CSR encompasses not just how a company spends its profits, but how it makes them. This means companies are now expected to integrate responsible practices into every aspect of their operations, from supply chain management and labor practices to energy consumption and waste reduction.

The rise of digital communication, social media, and increased global connectivity have also heightened the visibility of corporate actions. Consumers and stakeholders can easily hold businesses accountable for irresponsible practices, demanding greater transparency and more sustainable business models. As a result, companies that fail to act in socially responsible ways risk damaging their reputations, losing customer loyalty, and even facing legal or financial consequences.

Traveling and CSR – Growing Importance in Business Travel

In the context of business travel, CSR takes on new dimensions. It involves rethinking how travel can be conducted in a way that minimizes environmental harm, fosters positive social interactions, and leaves a meaningful, lasting impact on the destination communities. This shift has prompted businesses and travel planners to integrate CSR principles into every stage of business travel, from the moment a trip is planned to the interactions with the local communities at the destination.

Environmental Responsibility in Business Travel

One of the most significant challenges facing CSR in business travel is the environmental impact, particularly carbon emissions from flights, accommodations, and local transport. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, travel and tourism are responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions, with business travel contributing a sizable portion of that. For companies dedicated to environmental responsibility, this presents a critical concern.

In the context of CSR, companies must now consider how to offset or reduce the environmental impact of their travel activities. This can be achieved through a variety of strategies:

• Carbon Offsetting:
  Many companies now participate in carbon offsetting programs where they compensate for the emissions generated by their travel by investing in environmental projects such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. For every business flight, companies can calculate the emissions and fund projects that counterbalance this environmental cost.

• Sustainable Travel Choices:
  Beyond carbon offsetting, companies are increasingly making sustainable travel choices by opting for eco-friendly accommodations and transportation options. This can mean choosing hotels that prioritize sustainability, use renewable energy, or implement waste reduction programs. Similarly, business travelers are encouraged to use public transport, carpooling services, or electric vehicle rentals to reduce their carbon footprint.

• Reducing Non-Essential Travel:
  As technology advances, companies can now conduct more meetings virtually, reducing the need for unnecessary travel. Virtual meetings or hybrid events can drastically reduce a company’s travel-related emissions, while still allowing for efficient communication and collaboration across borders.

By taking these steps, businesses not only demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability but also lead by example in reducing the overall carbon footprint of the business travel sector.

Social Responsibility: Creating Positive Local Impacts

Business travel has the potential to impact destination communities in profound ways, both positive and negative. Historically, corporate travel has sometimes contributed to economic disparity or social tension in host communities, particularly in developing regions where resources and opportunities may be unevenly distributed. In contrast, responsible travel can empower local communities, foster genuine connections, and contribute to sustainable local development.

Incorporating CSR into business travel means ensuring that every trip leaves a positive impact on the destination. Adventure Apes, for example, focuses on arranging CSR activities for business travelers that emphasize meaningful social engagement. These activities, such as baking with elderly residents in local homes or assisting disabled individuals with tasks exploring nature, provide opportunities to combat loneliness, foster cultural exchanges, and create lasting memories for both travelers and locals.

Some ways companies can enhance the social responsibility of their business travel include:

• Supporting Local Businesses:
  Instead of relying solely on large hotel chains or international franchises, companies can choose to support local businesses, such as family-owned hotels, restaurants, or local guides. This approach helps keep financial resources within the local economy, empowering small businesses and promoting sustainable growth in the destination.

• Engaging in Community-Based CSR Initiatives:
  When planning business trips, companies can organize team-building activities that also have a community impact. For example, spending part of the trip participating in volunteer efforts or community service activities allows travelers to contribute directly to the well-being of local residents. These activities can range from helping to build community infrastructure to supporting educational initiatives in underserved areas.

• Cultural Sensitivity and Ethical Engagement:
  Business travelers are ambassadors of their company, and engaging with local communities requires a thoughtful and respectful approach. CSR in business travel emphasizes cultural sensitivity, ensuring that all interactions with local communities are respectful, ethical, and contribute to a positive cultural exchange. This may involve learning about local customs, participating in cultural traditions, or engaging with local nonprofit organizations working to address critical social issues.

Incorporating these elements of social responsibility into business travel ensures that the trip is not only productive but also contributes positively to the local community, fostering goodwill and meaningful connections.

Ethical Responsibility: Ensuring Fair and Safe Practices Throughout the Travel Process

Ethical responsibility during business travel extends beyond simply doing no harm—it requires companies to actively ensure that the entire travel process, from planning to post-travel reflection, aligns with high ethical standards. For companies engaging in CSR, this means guaranteeing that the suppliers, travel partners, and local businesses they engage with adhere to ethical labor practices, promote inclusivity, and operate in a transparent manner.

Considerations for ensuring ethical responsibility in business travel include:

• Supplier Audits and Ethical Partnerships:
  Businesses should vet the suppliers, accommodations, and transportation services they use to ensure they meet ethical standards, particularly when it comes to fair wages, worker safety, and equitable practices. In regions where labor exploitation may be a concern, partnering with certified businesses that promote fair labor practices is crucial.

• Did you know: Adventure Apes has a Sustainable Travel Finland certification

• Inclusion and Accessibility in Travel:
  CSR initiatives should also include a focus on ensuring that travel is inclusive and accessible to all, including travelers with disabilities. This means choosing accessible accommodations and transportation options, but also considering the needs of local populations and making sure that CSR activities involve diverse groups within the destination.

• Promoting Anti-Discrimination Practices in Travel:
  CSR initiatives should also prioritize anti-discrimination practices, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background, feel welcome and respected. This involves choosing partners and accommodations that uphold inclusive policies and creating opportunities to engage with diverse groups within the destination. By promoting respect and inclusivity, companies contribute to a more equitable travel experience that celebrates diversity and fosters mutual understanding across cultures.

• Transparency in Travel Practices:
  Ethical responsibility includes transparency in decision-making and communication with stakeholders. Companies need to be clear about their CSR goals and report on the impact of their CSR-related activities during business trips. This ensures accountability and helps measure the real-world impact of their CSR initiatives.

By upholding ethical standards throughout the travel experience, companies can demonstrate their commitment to doing business in a socially and morally responsible way, fostering a culture of trust both internally and externally.

Personal Responsibility: How Individual Travelers Contribute to Social Responsibility 

While CSR often operates at the corporate level, individual responsibility also plays a significant role in making travel more socially and environmentally conscious. Individual travelers themselves can contribute to social responsibility  by adopting responsible travel habits and being mindful of their impact on the destinations they visit.

Some ways individual travelers can practice social resposibility  while on the road include:

• Reducing Waste and Conserving Resources:
  Simple actions like minimizing plastic use, reducing water consumption in hotels, and carrying reusable items can significantly reduce the environmental impact of individual travelers. Choosing eco-friendly alternatives, such as opting out of daily towel changes in hotels or bringing a reusable water bottle, can make a noticeable difference.

• Respecting Local Cultures and Communities:
  Individual travelers should take the time to learn about and respect local customs, languages, and traditions. Being culturally sensitive and showing respect for the local way of life fosters a sense of mutual respect and avoids the negative impact of cultural misunderstandings or insensitivity.

• Engaging in Local Experiences:
  Individual travelers can seek out meaningful interactions with locals by participating in culturally enriching activities, such as guided tours with local experts, visits to cultural landmarks, or even taking part in Community-Based Travel Activities like those organized by Adventure Apes. These experiences not only provide personal growth but also contribute positively to the destination's economy and social fabric.

By encouraging employees to adopt these practices, companies can further enhance the impact of their CSR strategies and ensure that business travel contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world.

How Adventure Apes Can Help: Unique CSR Activities in Finland

Adventure Apes specializes in designing customized CSR activities that align with the objectives of each company. Whether you're seeking a one-day activity during a business trip or a longer, multi-day program, Adventure Apes works closely with your business to understand your goals, team size, and values, creating a program that is both impactful and enriching for participants in cooperation with our local partners throughout the country.

Some examples of tailored CSR activities include:

• Baking with Elderly Residents in Local Care Homes:
  This heartwarming activity involves spending quality time with elderly people at a local care home, baking traditional Finnish cinnamon buns and enjoying meaningful conversations. It’s a chance to not only engage in a cherished Finnish tradition but also combat loneliness and bring joy to people who may often feel isolated. This activity is ideal for teams looking to foster human connection while contributing to the social well-being of local communities.

• Assisting Disabled Individuals exploring nature:

  Adventure Apes believe that everyone belongs to nature but unfortunately that is easier said than done. Some people cannot get to nature on their own and that is why Adventure Apes organizes CSR events where corporate clients have a chance to make a great difference in someone’s life by assisting them on a nature trail. All the special gear will be included together with the guidance needed in order to make it a truly memorable day for everyone.

• Carpet washing with local elderly
  Adventure Apes organizes CSR activities where business travelers can assist local elderly people with tasks such as carpet washing, which is a social tradition in Finland during the warmer months. By helping with these physically demanding tasks, participants provide much-needed support while also forming genuine connections with locals. This activity highlights the importance of practical assistance and human interaction in improving the lives of local elderly. .

• Maintain a nature trail/ Build bug hotels & birdhouses
  Finland is known for its closeness to nature and balance of life with the environment. If you are willing to spend a day outdoors and do something good for the environment you can also choose a CSR activity where you can maintain a nature trail or build a bug hotel or birdhouse. In this activity you will learn how to use traditional tools and provide a home for insects or birds. 

• Responsible foraging in Finnish forests
  Summer months are the time of foraging in Finland. Adventure Apes is willing to teach you how to collect local berries, mushrooms or herbs in a responsible way. Depending on the time of your event you will collect for example blueberries, lingonberries, cloudberries or crowberries. After the hard work you will learn how to bake a delicious cake or make juice in a traditional way with the fresh berries.

  Check out our current offering of CSR Activities
  All of our CSR activities can be found on our site HERE

CSR Activities Focused on Finnish Cultural Heritage

Adventure Apes takes pride in offering CSR activities that immerse travelers in Finnish culture while contributing to the social fabric of local communities. These activities allow participants to not only give back but also learn about Finland’s unique traditions, heritage, and values.

• Sauna Culture and Wellness Programs:
  Sauna is an integral part of Finnish culture, and Adventure Apes offers CSR activities that blend cultural immersion with social responsibility. Participants can partake in wellness programs that include visits to local communities where the tradition of sauna is used to promote relaxation, healing, and connection. By learning about the role of sauna in Finnish life and engaging in discussions with locals, travelers experience firsthand the importance of well-being in Finnish culture while supporting wellness initiatives in rural areas.

• Reindeer Herding:
  For a truly unique experience, Adventure Apes provides the opportunity to engage with reindeer herders in Finnish Lapland. Participants can learn about the ancient traditions of reindeer herding while supporting the preservation of reindeer husbandry. These activities are not only enriching for participants but also help raise awareness of the challenges facing modern reindeer herding , such as the effects of climate change on their way of life.

• Craft Workshops and Arts Initiatives:
  Finland is known for its vibrant artistic traditions, and Adventure Apes arranges CSR activities where participants can engage in craft workshops with locals. These workshops may involve making traditional Finnish crafts, such as birdhouses. By supporting time to build birdhouses, business travelers can contribute to the preservation of Finnish nature.

Building Human Connections Through Social Engagement

At the heart of Adventure Apes’ CSR offerings is the belief that real human connection is the most valuable contribution travelers can make. The company emphasizes activities that bring people together, bridging the gap between business travelers and local communities through shared experiences. Adventure Apes ensures that every CSR activity is designed to build personal connections, reduce loneliness, and foster mutual understanding between travelers and locals.

• Community Dinners with Local Families:
  Adventure Apes arranges intimate community dinners where business travelers are invited into the homes of local families to share a meal, exchange stories, and learn about Finnish traditions. This simple yet powerful experience allows travelers to step outside of formal meetings and experience authentic Finnish hospitality while forming meaningful connections with local residents.

• Volunteering at Local Schools or Community Centers:
  For businesses interested in supporting educational initiatives, Adventure Apes offers opportunities to volunteer at local schools or community centers. Travelers can engage with students through language exchange programs, participate in educational workshops, or help organize community events. These activities provide a direct way to contribute to the development and well-being of the next generation, while also offering business travelers a deeper understanding of the local educational landscape.

Comprehensive Logistical Support for CSR Activities

Planning a CSR-focused business trip requires careful logistical coordination, and Adventure Apes provides end-to-end support to ensure that all activities run smoothly. From arranging transportation to organizing accommodations, meals, and equipment, Adventure Apes handles the details so that businesses can focus on creating positive impacts during their travels.

Additionally, Adventure Apes offers consultation services to help businesses integrate CSR into their overall travel strategy. Whether you’re looking for guidance on how to maximize the impact of your CSR activities or need assistance with measuring the outcomes of your CSR initiatives in Finland, Adventure Apes provides the expertise to make your business trip to Finland a meaningful and socially responsible experience.

Why Adventure Apes is the Perfect CSR Partner

Adventure Apes has a deep understanding of Finland’s social and environmental landscape, making us the ideal partner for businesses looking to make a meaningful impact during their travels. With a focus on authentic connections, environmental stewardship, and cultural immersion, Adventure Apes ensures that every CSR activity is both enriching and socially responsible.We are continuously searching for new possibilities for travellers to leave a positive impact in their travel destination. This is why we are doing dedicated R&D in CSR with our Travel Coordinator Poorani Elangovan Kuusela.

Whether your company wants to engage in community service, environmental conservation, or cultural preservation, Adventure Apes offers a wide range of services that can be customized to meet your specific needs. By partnering with Adventure Apes, businesses can make their travels to Finland not only productive but also impactful, leaving a positive legacy in the communities they visit.

The author: Heidi Savolainen, adventure guide & entrepreneur

This article is written by Heidi Savolainen, the first Ape and the entrepreneur of the company Adventure Apes. Heidi is an educated and well-known sustainable travel professional, with loads of information regarding accessible nature activities, responsible trips and CSR-events.