Snow-covered mountain landscape at Paradise Harbor

Our sustainability promise

Apr. 1, 2025Environment & Responsibility

Sustainability is not a marketing strategy for us—it is our lifestyle!

Traveling is a privilege. Those who explore the most remote corners of the earth not only experience breathtaking landscapes, but also bear responsibility—for nature, cultures, and the local people. Atinventia, we see sustainability not as a marketing strategy, but as a lived conviction.

As a provider ofpolar travel and expedition cruises, we understand how sensitive and worthy of protection these regions are. That is why we are actively committed to minimizing our ecological footprint and giving something back to the places that give us so much. We work withfamily-run businesses and local partners, support sustainable initiatives, and promote projects that strengthen communities and preserve nature.

Our trips should not only create unforgettable experiences, but also leave a positive impact—for the people who live there and for the generations that come after us.

The only traces that true explorers leave behind are the stories they tell.

Stephanie Gräf

Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in personalized and exciting trips around the globe.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

Travel beyond the ordinary

At inventia, it's all about leaving the crowds behind and discovering places that have retained their true soul and beauty. Our motto, "Travel beyond the ordinary," means that we consciously choose destinations that are off the beaten track—not only protecting nature, but also avoiding excessive pressure on local communities and resources.

Excessive tourism leads to noise, waste, and higher consumption of resources. Less visited destinations, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to gently support the local infrastructure without overburdening natural and cultural resources. This preserves the true character of a place, and the people who live there can benefit from the advantages of tourism without experiencing its negative consequences.

Aerial view of footprints left by running penguins in Antarctica

Carefully from A to B

Transportation is an unavoidable part of any journey. However, at inventia, we focus on the best available options and actively seek improvements to minimize our environmental impact. Wherever possible, we prefer direct flights, which cause fewer emissions than connections with stopovers, and work with airlines that pursue ambitious goals in the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and advocate for higher blending ratios. For shorter distances, we promote more sustainable alternatives such as rail or bus.

In addition ,we offer you the opportunityto offset your tripthrough Atmosfair—a voluntary but effective step that compensates for CO₂ emissions while supporting climate projects that benefit not only the planet but also people.

Stay longer, achieve more

At inventia, we believe that traveling long distances has a special appeal and value—if it is done consciously and responsibly. Every flight generates emissions—that is unavoidable. But not traveling is not the solution—because it is precisely through conscious travel that we can appreciate, protect, and support the world in all its diversity.The goal is not sacrifice, but change.

To minimize the environmental impact of flights, we combine distances and length of stay in a sustainable ratio. Shorter trips to distant destinations are not part of our philosophy. Our trips follow clear principles: no trips of less than one week for distances between 800 and 3,800 km, and no stays of less than two weeks for destinations more than 3,800 km away.

Why is this sustainable? By staying longer, we reduce the need for additional travel and transportation, which would further burden the environment. Instead, longer stays support local value creation and strengthen local communities. This means that the climate impact of the journey is offset by the positive economic and social impact in the destination country.Staying longer means making a bigger difference.

Coffee tour at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, Tanzania

TundraToTable Culinary experience in the Arctic

Supporting local communities

We consciously work with family-run accommodations and local providers (such as transport companies, restaurants, guides) to ensure thatthe added value remains locally –exactly where it is needed. Every trip we offer empowers the people who live and work in these regions – whether it's the family that runs a hotel or small restaurant, the producers who offer their valuable products, or the artists who share their culture with us. Our partnerships not only boost the local economy, but also help these communities grow sustainably and actively shape their future—with the power to make their dreams for tomorrow a reality.

Regional delicacies – sustainable, seasonal, local

Imagine how the flavors of a region come to life on your plate—freshly baked bread from a local bakery, fruit straight from the farm, or traditional dishes prepared with local ingredients. At inventia, we consciously focus on regional and seasonal products because they tell the story of the people and places we discover together.

Through our partnerships with local restaurants, we directly support local producers and thus contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions, as transport distances are shorter. When you travel with us, you not only enjoy culinary highlights, but also promote a way of traveling that respects nature, supports the people behind the products, and preserves the unique diversity of the region. That isenjoyment with heart and responsibility.

Less is more – traveling in small groups

Less is more – and that applies not only to the number of destinations, but also to the number of travelers. Some of our trips take place in small groups, which makes it possible to significantly reduce our ecological footprint. By limiting the number of participants, we can minimize CO₂ emissions per traveler while offering more intense, authentic experiences. Fewer people in one place means less resource consumption, less waste, and less pressure on the infrastructure of the region visited.

Smaller groups also have the advantage that we can focus on sustainable transport options, which are often more difficult to implement with larger groups. This allows us to maximize travel comfort without losing sight of the environment. In addition, smaller groups enable closer connections with local communities. This means that the regions benefit in the long term – both ecologically and socially.

Strong partnerships for the protection of sensitive ecosystems

In some of the most sensitive and fascinating regions of the world, such as Antarctica and the Arctic, we work with pioneering partners who are just as passionate about protecting nature as we are. Our partners are members of the IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) andAECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), which have establishedstrict guidelines for sustainable tourism. These partnerships enable us to experience the unspoiled beauty of these regions without endangering their fragile ecosystems.

Protection of wildlife and nature

Emperor penguin with chick in Antarctica

At inventia, treating nature with respect is our top priority. We promote sustainable and responsible travel, with animal observation conducted exclusively in accordance with the strictest ethical guidelines: no touching, feeding, or disturbing the animals—we are guests in their habitats and preserve their integrity. Activities such as swimming with dolphins or camel and donkey riding are deliberately not part of our program, as we believe that true experiences are in harmony with the animals and their nature.

Instead , we offer alternative, respectful experiences that do justice to both the animals and their habitats. Our visits to national parks actively support the preservation of ecosystems, as entrance fees go toward conservation projects that ensure the protection of nature.

Leaving traces – through experiences, not footprints

Whether in the office or on site, we focus on conserving resources and avoiding waste in order to keep our ecological footprint as small as possible.

Our sustainability begins in-house, with our internal processes. By having our team work remotely from home, we reduce the need for commuting. Replacing paper catalogs with digital alternatives is a matter of course for us. We conserve valuable resources by continuously digitizing our processes.

Our employees are actively shaping this vision: Regular training courses promote environmentally conscious behavior and inspire innovative ideas that make our working environment even more sustainable. Together, we are creating a corporate culture that promotes and exemplifies sustainability and innovation.

In sensitive regions such as Antarctica and the Arctic , the highest standards apply: our partners implement the strict guidelines of IAATO and AECO to minimize plastic consumption and realize the principle of "Leave No Trace." Guests on our trips use refillable water bottles and reusable containers—there is no place for single-use plastic.

Clean Up Svalbard with Oceanwide Expeditions

Sharing knowledge, strengthening responsibility

At inventia, we want tonot only inspire our guests, but also actively accompany them on their journey toward more sustainable travel habits. Through personal conversations, exciting workshops, and interactive experiences during the trips, the expedition providers we work with convey valuable insights into the importance of environmental protection and respectful travel.

On our website and in our informational materials, we provide simple but effective tips to help our guests act in a more environmentally conscious manner in their everyday lives. Our goal is not only to share knowledge, but also to promote a sustainable mindset that extends beyond the trip itself.

diversity

At inventia, diversity is not a statement, but a matter of course. Our team is international, as are the people we work with on our trips. Different perspectives, cultures, and experiences enrich not only our work, but also our guests' travel experiences.

We believe that every person enriches our world with their own story and values. That's why we treat everyone—whether travelers, locals, or our local partners—with openness, respect, and genuine interest. At our destinations, we place great importance on being cosmopolitan and treating people with the same respect we would like to receive ourselves.

We don't just pay lip service to diversity— we live it every day of the year. Because traveling means discovering new perspectives and understanding that diversity should not be emphasized, but lived as a matter of course.

Sustainability as a process

Travelers hike with snowshoes on a snow-covered island under blue skies.

At inventia, sustainability is not a goal, but an ongoing journey.We are currently working on obtaining certification for an eco-friendly travel label – a milestone that officially confirms our commitment to sustainable tourism.

But our aspirations go beyond that: we see sustainability as a dynamic process that we review and develop further every year. New scientific findings, technological advances, and global standards are incorporated into our strategy so that we can continue to improve. We place great importance on transparency—we openly share our progress, as well as our challenges, with our guests. In this way , we are working together to shape a future of travel that not only explores the world, but also preserves it.