A leader in luxury travel experiences, Abercrombie & Kent has implemented a range of initiatives to embrace sustainability and eco-conscious practices. The company works with travel partners who prioritise sustainability, ranging from selecting accommodations with eco-friendly certifications to opting for local transportation options that minimise environmental impact.

This year, the company has partnered with the Royal Institute of British Architects to unveil a sustainable design for the new Masai Mara Conservation Centre in Kenya. The eco-friendly design incorporates locally sourced materials, renewable energy sources and educational facilities to promote conservation awareness and sustainable practices.

Embracing sustainability and eco-conscious practices since its establishment in 1991, andBeyond’s commitment to take “care of the land, care of the wildlife, care of the people” is deeply ingrained in every aspect of its operations. Through its initiatives, the brand is leading the way to minimise the environmental impact of luxury travel while also contributing to the conservation of precious wildlife habitats and empowering local communities.

For example, one of the luxury travel company’s key sustainable initiatives is its high-yield, low-impact model. The brand’s small luxury lodges support vast tracts of biodiverse land, leaving the majority of the area untouched. At the lodges, andBeyond has implemented an environmental strategy, assessing and reducing its impact on the surrounding ecosystems by conducting regular annual sustainability audits, measuring eco-overheads and setting targets for continuous improvement.

Recognising the crucial role that local communities play in long-term conservation success, the company also invests in community development projects while also providing education, healthcare initiatives and employment opportunities to the community. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the locals.

Over the years, Tumi has increasingly incorporated various sustainability and eco-conscious practices into its business model. For one, the brand prioritises creating pieces designed to last. Its luggage undergoes rigorous testing to withstand the wear and tear of travel, reducing waste compared to products that need frequent replacements. Certain pieces in its collections are made with recycled materials. For one, its 19 Degree Collection is crafted with recycled polycarbonate and post-consumer recycled PET materials. Since its launch, it has grown to be one of the brand’s most beloved collections.

This year, Tumi has also announced its partnership with 1% for the Planet, globally committing to donate one per cent of sales from the brand’s 19 Degree Collection in polycarbonate to verified environmental nonprofits within 1% for the Planet’s global network. This marks the brand’s first philanthropic partnership on a global scale. 

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Samsonite is making significant strides in embracing sustainability and eco-conscious practices, with one of its most notable initiatives being the introduction of eco-conscious collections: Magnum Eco, Myton and Proxis. These collections feature products made from innovative and sustainable materials like Recyclex. Used in its Myton collection, the groundbreaking material comprises 100 per cent post-consumer recycled plastic—PET—bottles. On top of being durable and reliable, the material also helps reduce plastic waste, giving discarded bottles a second life. Another of the brand’s innovative materials, Roxkin is a proprietary blend that’s lightweight, resilient and fully recyclable. The brand’s Proxis collection is crafted from this material, resulting in exceptionally durable products.

Beyond material innovation, Samsonite’s sustainable strategy “Our Responsible Journey” is an initiative that focuses on minimising environmental impact. The brand has committed to increasing the use of recycled and recyclable materials in its products and packaging.

Samsonite’s commitment to sustainability extends to its retail presence. For example, the brand’s flagship store in Suntec City in Singapore incorporates recycled materials and eco-friendly designs.

A leading brand for backpacks and travel gear, Osprey has woven sustainability into its operations. Osprey’s focus on recycled materials, durable construction and responsible end-of-life practices demonstrates a strong commitment to minimising its environmental footprint while promoting eco-conscious practices throughout its operations and product lifecycles.

The brand has implemented several initiatives to reduce waste and promote a circular economy. For example, through its partnership with Renewable Workshop—and by refurbishing and reselling pre-loved packs—Osprey has been able to divert 21,000 lbs (about 9,525 kg) of waste from ending up in landfills.

Osprey has also maintained long-term partnerships with organisations like the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), sponsoring initiatives across Europe and worldwide that focus on protecting natural environments while promoting conservation efforts.

From the materials to advocacy efforts, Patagonia embraces sustainability in each step of its production process. Its outdoor clothing and gear are created from recycled polyester and nylon from plastic bottles, as well as organic cotton and innovative plant-based fibres. This means the brand reduces reliance on virgin resources, thereby diverting waste from landfills.

In 2021, 72 per cent of materials used in its products were recycled— Patagonia aims to reach 100 per cent by 2025. The outdoor brand also prioritises ethical labour practices, working closely with suppliers to ensure fair treatment of workers throughout their supply chain.

Known for its high-performance outdoor gear, Arc’teryx has a multi-pronged approach to sustainability that tackles material selection, product lifecycle and responsible manufacturing.

Its key initiative, the Materials Compliance Programme, engages with material suppliers to ensure materials used in its products meet stringent environmental and safety standards. The brand also follows the Bluesign system, which defines a Restricted Substances List that lays emphasis on the use of safer and more environmentally responsible materials throughout its supply chain. This guides the brand’s choice of materials while focusing on resource productivity, consumer safety, water and air emissions, and occupational health and safety.

Arc’teryx has also set climate targets to reduce its environmental impact by 2030 and achieve them by implementing various measures such as using renewable energy, improving energy efficiency in the supply chain and expanding circular economy concepts.

Speaking of circular economy concepts, Arc’teryx has also launched the ReBIRD hub, bringing together the brand’s circular initiatives such as repair services, upcycled collections and second-hand offerings.

Leading outdoor sports brand Salomon has been actively embracing sustainability with one of its key initiatives being the Play-Minded Programme which outlines the brand’s sustainability vision.

In 2020, Salomon committed to setting science-based climate targets. The following year it established emissions reduction targets that could be validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The brand has also made commitments to reduce the environmental impact of its sports marketing efforts, including events and athlete travel. By 2025, Salomon aims to offset the travel carbon footprint of its international athletes while reducing collective travel carbon footprint by 30 per cent.

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