The Altruistic Traveller
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism?
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Organisations & Experiences
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About
    • Bianca’s Story
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
  • Contribute
    • List a Sustainable Tourism Organisation or Experience
  • Contact Me

The Altruistic Traveller

Banner
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism?
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Organisations & Experiences
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About
    • Bianca’s Story
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
  • Contribute
    • List a Sustainable Tourism Organisation or Experience
  • Contact Me
EuropeResponsible Tourism

Responsible Tourism in Ukraine with TraToS

by Bianca Caruana November 15, 2019
written by Bianca Caruana November 15, 2019
ukraine-responsible-tourism-tratos

Ukraine is often underrepresented when it comes to responsible tourism opportunities. So when I had the chance to interview Anna Liebel, founder of TraToS – Travel to Share Ukraine, you can imagine I was quick to the scene.

In this interview, we discuss the mission of TraToS and ways that visitors can explore this mysterious country located on the border of Eastern Europe.

What was the inspiration behind the creation of TraToS – Travel to 
Share Ukraine?

Being a Ukrainian living abroad, I felt that my home country was very 
underrated among international tourists. Ukraine is the second-largest 
country in Europe. It has cities, rivers, seaside, mountains, rich 
history and culture, and delicious food. Yet most of my colleagues and 
friends totally ignored it when planning their vacations. Partly 
because of the lack of knowledge on what the country has to offer and partly 
because of diverse prejudice based on the limited information about 
Ukraine in the media. I wanted to change this picture and let Ukraine 
get the attention it deserves!

On the other hand, I want to see Ukraine reaching new levels of 
development. And I believe that one of the most effective ways to 
invest in the country’s bright future is empowering its youth for 
change – letting them learn more about the world and the richness of 
its diversity; best practices from other parts of the globe. Inspire 
them to seek more knowledge through education and travels, giving them 
tools to act in their own communities. That is why we visit several 
schools during each of our trips – I say that there, Ukraine and The 
World, meet through our travellers and pupils.

What is the main mission of TraToS?

Our mission is to put Ukraine on travellers’ maps and bucket lists and to empower local communities to thrive and develop.

What can a person expect on a TraToS tour?

Our travellers can be sure they will experience Ukraine as few tourists 
do, because of the language barrier and lack of information in the 
international guidebooks. They will see Ukraine as it is – with its beauty, 
weirdness, funky mix of older times, Soviet and modern Europe. We at 
TraToS don’t hide anything, but we are there to explain, discuss, 
teach and learn ourselves. We want each of our travellers to understand 
Ukraine, and find something about it to fall in love with. Because the 
country has something for everyone!

Instead of hopping all over the country (remember, Ukraine is huge), 
we pick 2-3 regions and take a deep dive into their culture, history, 
traditions. We explore their nature. We aim at spending less time on the 
road and more time learning about the places we visit. Our itineraries 
include many opportunities for the travellers to meet the locals – we 
visit diverse craftspeople, private collectors and community 
activists. And the group is always accompanied by an English-speaking 
guide and a tour leader eager to help you explore and discover.

As one 
of our travellers said, “On top of all that, it is such an opportunity 
to travel off the beaten path (I mean it literally, my whole body 
remembers), with someone who knows the culture and the language so 
that you never feel helpless.”

People should be ready to spend a bit of their time prior the tour 
preparing for the school visits – maybe think of stereotypes about 
their culture that exist, to talk about those; maybe prepare some 
pictures showing life in their home country and their own daily life, 
or photos from their travels.

Click here to read some of TraToS past trip diaries.

ukraine-responsible-tourism-sunset

How does TraToS promote responsible tourism?

We stay at locally owned hotels, hire local guides and drivers – 
everything to provide extra chances for travellers to learn about the 
places from people who live there, and to provide the locals with job 
opportunities.

Since we travel mostly in lesser-visited parts of the country, most of 
the food there is based on local produce.
 Every trip is climate-positive – we cooperate with the Norwegian 
organisation CHOOOSE, which works with climate compensation.
 We also support a Ukrainian NGO called PRO.SVIT, working with local 
schools to provide them with tools and techniques to implement changes 
and improve their quality of education in a sustainable way.

Related reading: What is Responsible Tourism?

Why do you feel that it’s important to educate youth on the 
diversities of other countries?

Meeting people who are different than you yourself opens up the mind a 
lot, given that the meeting is done right – in a positive and safe 
environment, and in a respectful and fun way. Bringing together a 
diverse group of travellers, and giving them a chance to talk to kids 
about their home countries and other places they have been to shows to 
the kids the exciting parts of being different – it wakes up their 
curiosity a lot.

We talk about education and learning languages, about 
the choice of higher education and profession, and which skills are 
nowadays essential for aware citizens. It is fascinating to let the 
kids reflect on a deeper level about what they truly want. We also 
encourage them to try different things, make the education choice less 
dramatic. We explain that it is not one choice for the rest of their 
lives.

We try to trigger their critical thinking in those talks as 
well, and to provide them with examples of successful local 
initiatives from diverse communities – to empower them to be the change 
in their home communities as well.
 Some of the youth we’ve met during our previous trips have then connected 
with me over Facebook or email. They told me how they got inspired to 
learn English, and how they now see some actual reasons to know more 
languages (like interesting conversations with people from abroad). 
One girl got motivated to apply for university she did not believe 
she’d get in, and she did get in. Some of the kids have started 
posting on FB in English, just to practise. Each of these stories 
shows how little we need to make a difference in someone’s life.

ukraine-responsible-tourism-youth

What are 3 things about Ukraine that you love to share with travellers?

Its people’s hospitality, the beauty of its nature and cities, and the food!

Where can we find more information about the tours?

On our webpage – https://tratosukraine.com/.

You can also follow us 
on social media – we are on Facebook 
(https://www.facebook.com/tratos.ukraine) and Instagram 
(https://www.instagram.com/tratos.ukraine/).

responsible-tourism-ukraine (1)

1 comment
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditStumbleuponEmail
previous post
The Altruistic Traveller partners with Nomads Giving Back
next post
24 hours in Luang Prabang + Sustainable Travel Tips

You may also like

Stay at a Fairstay in Vang Vieng and...

March 9, 2016

An altruistic guide to travel in Sihanoukville

December 11, 2015

Community Based Tourism Gives New Hope to Irrawaddy...

May 31, 2016

An Ethical Guide to Shopping in Kathmandu Nepal

March 27, 2019

Where To Find A Beach Clean-up in Malta

June 20, 2022

The one in the homestay on the Philippines’...

May 8, 2016

Food For Good – Ethical Eateries In London

August 18, 2016

Chi Phat Cambodia – How community based tourism...

December 7, 2015

Support Clean Water & Sanitation Projects in the...

January 26, 2020

Websites For Finding Local Experiences While You Travel

November 19, 2021

1 comment

Socialiai atsakingas turizmas – TOP 10 patarimų – mstories.lt January 27, 2020 - 7:33 pm

[…] 2. Kelionės, darančios teigiamą pokytį. Kaip minėjau kol kas Lietuvoje atsakingas turizmas nėra itin populiarus ir reta turizmo agentūra teikia tokias paslaugas. Gal tai nauja verslo niša Lietuvoje? Tačiau jei tik yra galimybė, pasidomėkite tiesiog nerealiais pasiūlymais užsienio bendrovėse, kurios skatina keliauti tvariai: nuo kelialapių, kur gali rūpintis vietiniais gyvūnais iki ekskursijų į vietines gamyklėles, kur gali nusipirkti papuošalų, paveikslų ar kitų dailės dirbinių, pagamintų iš perdirbtų atliekų, taip paremiant vietinius, neretais atvejais skurdžius tos šalies gyventojus. Ar eikite dar toliau ir keletą dienų ar savaičių savo keliones derinkite su savanoryste svečioje šalyje. Manote, jog tai įmanoma tik itin vargingose trečiojo pasaulio šalyse? Visai ne, štai Jums atsakingo turisto kelialapis tiesiai į Ukrainą su galimybe šviesti vaikus mokyklose: Responsible Tourism in Ukraine with TraToS […]

Comments are closed.

About Bianca

About Bianca

The Altruistic Traveller

I am an Australian-Maltese blogger & podcast host specialising in stories that ignite thoughts surrounding compassion, ethics and sustainability. Through my work, I aim to promote ethical values and offer this platform as a space to share stories that shape our future for the better.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin Spotify

Newsletter Sign-up

Sign up for the latest news & content from The Altruistic Traveller [no spam ever ;)]

Please wait...

Thank you. You're beautiful.

Listen to The Altruistic Traveller Podcast

2022 Award Winner

The Altruistic Traveller has been included by Twinkl as one of their picks for Top Sustainability Blogs 2022.

House Sit & Travel The World

trusted-housesitters

Save $$$ on your currency conversion while you travel

Transfer-wise

Offset Your Travel with Offsetra

Offset Your Travel with Offsetra

Get Travel Insurance

incurance-that-covers-covid-19

Learn a language online with Live Lingua

Get green hosting for your website

Browse Sustainable Accommodation options

social-bnb

JOIN THE IMPACT TRAVEL ALLIANCE MEDIA NETWORK

Are you a content creator specialising in sustainable travel? Join the ITA media network.

Donate a meal to someone in need

sharethemeal web graphic_0

Book Travel with Kiwi


Learn how to become location independent

Use code thealtruistictraveller10 for 10% off courses

NomadsSkillshare

Dine with Locals on EatWith

eat-with-coupon-7B728BBE

Find Ethical Food Venues Nearest to you with Fair Food Forager

fair-food-forager

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Soundcloud
  • Spotify
  • RSS

@2022 - The Altruistic Traveller. Developed by Cybernite Technologies and sustainably hosted by Green Geeks.
The Altruistic Traveller uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase using a link, I may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, and allows me to keep the content free for readers like you.
This website uses cookies. To learn more or opt-out please visit my Privacy Policy.


Back To Top