Vagabond Gets That B Corp Feeling

We’re on a road to somewhere…

atest press release from the award-winning Vagabond Tours, issued on Friday, July 26th 2024…

Vagabond Tours of Ireland, a leading small-group adventure tour company, is delighted to announce they have achieved B Corp recertification.

After going through the recertification process Vagabond Tours of Ireland achieved a staggering score of 101.2, an increase of 25% on their previous rating. There are currently 45 B Corp certified companies in Ireland and Vagabond Tours has the 5th highest score in the country.

This amazing result puts them in the top 9% of all B Corp certified businesses in Ireland.

This award reaffirms the company’s dedication to sustainable and ethical business practices. In becoming B Corp recertified, Vagabond Tours of Ireland has again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to having a positive impact on its customers, employees, communities, and the environment.

In 2021, Vagabond Tours became the very first Irish travel company to become B Corp certified, joining other leading businesses committed to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corp certification is a prestigious recognition awarded to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.

Achievements On The Road To Recertification
To commit to our sustainability goals as a company, including achieving B Corp recertification, we hired a full-time Sustainability Executive to keep us on track and move us forward. She has done an incredible job in leading the charge to further our sustainability mission.

Edwina Horgan, Sustainability Executive at Vagabond Tours of Ireland is delighted with the progress we have made and where the company is going, stating, “It was a continuous team effort at Vagabond that led to us achieving B Corp recertification.

“I’m on top of the jeep, Ma!”

“It has been very inspiring to see the positive impact wee have had on our people, planet and business.

At Vagabond, we are not perfect but we are committed to change and transparency in all aspects of our business. We continue to strive to do better.”

Countless changes have been made in the business, both big and small. All have added up to Vagabond Tours achieving B Corp recertification.

Just some of these achievements are:
● Offering private health care to all of our employees as part of our wellbeing mission.

● Planting 4,000 native Irish trees in 2023; 1 for every guest that travelled with us.

● Giving guests the opportunity to plant a native Irish tree at the time of booking to further boost biodiversity in Ireland.

● Publishing sustainability, animal welfare, ethical purchasing policies, as well as a Sustainability Mission Statement.

● Adding 5 new members to the office team, all hired locally and/or internally.

● Commissioning a carbon audit and creating a Carbon Plan to reduce our impact year-on-year.

● Providing sustainability training to all of our driver guides.

● Signing the Glasgow Declaration in 2022, a major milestone towards Vagabond becoming a zero-carbon company.

Key Commitments; Current And Ongoing
● Sustainable Tourism Practices: Vagabond Tours of Ireland prioritises sustainable travel by promoting eco-friendly practices, supporting local communities, and minimising its environmental footprint. The company integrates sustainability into every aspect of its operations, from reducing waste to promoting responsible tourism.

● Community Engagement: Vagabond Tours actively supports local communities by partnering with local hotels and providers, ensuring that tourism has a positive economic impact.

Irish Tourism Award 2019

The company is committed to preserving Ireland’s rich cultural heritage and contributing to the well-being of the communities they visit.

● Employee Wellbeing: The company fosters a supportive and inclusive workplace, offering competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development.

Vagabond Tours values the wellbeing of its employees and strives to create a positive work environment. This was reflected in the company winning the Great Place to Work Special Award for Learning & Development 2024.

● Transparency and Accountability: Vagabond Tours maintains transparency in its business practices and is dedicated to continuous improvement. The company regularly assesses its impact and seeks feedback from guests and employees to ensure it meets the highest standards of accountability.

Rob Rankin, Managing Director of Vagabond Tours of Ireland, expressed his pride in the company’s achievements. “We are absolutely thrilled to have achieved recertification. It is a fantastic achievement by everyone on the team. Recertifying with B Corp has given us fresh inspiration to think twice about all aspects of our business.

“What’s more, some of the positive changes we’ve made were so simple to achieve. Giving our guests pre-departure sustainable travel tips — like bringing along a refillable water bottle when they tour Ireland — is a great example. This straightforward step has helped reduce single-use plastic and spread awareness.

“It’s a great honour to have both upped our B Corp score and to witness so many other illustrious names joining the dynamic B Corp community. We look forward to working together to drive a more ethical business model, spread the word and bring about genuine change.”

Vagabond Tours of Ireland encourages other businesses to join them in celebrating this significant milestone by prioritising their impact on the planet. The company remains dedicated to leading the way in responsible tourism and inspiring others to make a positive difference.

If this family-owned tour operator can make sustainability a priority, your business can too. With enough passion, enthusiasm and willingness to make small changes, together Irish businesses can have a more positive impact moving forward.

Find out more about Vagabond Tours Of Ireland’s journey to becoming B Corp here, and check out our August 2023 interview with young Rob here.