How we Travel for Good

This past month, I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Virtuoso Sustainable Impact Summit held in Lake Louise, in the heart of Banff National Park. The turquoise waters and stunning mountains did not just provide breath-taking scenery, but also an important reminder of what’s at stake when we talk about mindful travel and sustainability. As Keith Sproule from A&K Philanthropy highlighted to us sustainable-minded travel professionals: “you cannot love what you do not know. You cannot protect what you do not love.” 

The Summit brought together leaders in sustainable luxury travel from around the world, all united by one shared mission: to protect the places we love, invest in and uplift the communities we visit, and preserve the natural and cultural wonders of our world. 

We explored powerful conversations around what it truly means to be a responsible traveler. At the core of every discussion was the commitment to protect our planet for generations to come, and we must care for the people who call these landscapes home. When local communities have their basic needs met and a deep connection to their own natural heritage, everyone benefits, travelers included.

This was not a summit about trends, it was about impact, intention, and action. Overall, reminding ourselves of how suatainavel travel is the future of luxury travel.

WITNESSING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

One of the most unforgettable moments was not from a conference room, but from a quiet, peaceful gathering by the lake at 2 a.m. Many of us witnessed the Northern Lights, known in the Cree language as Cipayak nimihitowak.

As shared during the opening ceremony by Mackenzie Brown, “My people believe that the Northern Lights are our ancestors dancing in the sky to tell us they are here and they are doing well.”

This wasn’t just a natural show, it was a spiritual one. It reminded me that the land holds stories older than any of us, and our duty as travelers is not only to witness but to honor.

FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE RESORT

During the summit we stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This 5-star luxury mountain resort and Virtuoso property stands in front of the stunning  Lake Louise, surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, and mountain peaks. But beyond its beauty and elegance, the resort is a leader in sustainable hospitality.

From energy efficiency to supporting locals and indigenous partnerships, the Fairmont is proof that luxury and responsibility can go hand in hand. And situated within Banff, Canada’s first national park, this location offered a living classroom for what sustainable tourism can look like when done with care.