At Travel Center, we connect explorers from the UK to the rest of the world every single day. Travel opens doors, creates memories and brings people closer, but we also recognise that it comes with environmental responsibility. That’s why we’re proud to share that, through our partnership with Treeapp, we have planted 1,136 trees in Tanzania, and we’re just getting started.
The Impact So Far…
Our reforestation efforts have already created meaningful, measurable change:
- 1,136 trees planted
- 123.8 tonnes of CO₂ expected to be absorbed across the trees’ lifetime
- 12 workdays created for local communities
- 7,577 m² of land reforested
As a travel agency helping customers fly from the UK to destinations across the globe, we understand the carbon impact associated with air travel. While exploration is at the heart of what we do, so is accountability. This initiative is part of our commitment to actively offset carbon and contribute to long-term environmental restoration.
Why Tanzania?
Tanzania is one of the twelve most megadiverse countries in the world, home to six of the 25 globally recognised biodiversity hotspots. It contains over one-third of Africa’s plant species and around 20% of the continent’s large mammal population. Its natural ecosystems are not only globally significant – they are vital to the livelihoods of local communities.
However, Tanzania faces one of the highest deforestation rates worldwide. Rapid urbanisation, unsustainable harvesting of wood and land clearing for agriculture have severely reduced forest cover. In the Western Usambara Mountains alone, an estimated 85% of forest cover has been lost since the 1970s.
By supporting mountainous reforestation in this region, we are helping restore critical landscapes while strengthening farming communities.
More Than Just Planting Trees
This initiative goes beyond tree numbers.
A total of 35 different species are planted across the region, combining agroforestry crops with native species to restore biodiversity and improve agricultural resilience. Agroforestry practices increase crop yields while preventing monocultures that reduce resistance to disease.
Native trees such as markhamia lutea are planted along mountainsides to stabilise soil and help prevent landslides – protecting both farmland and communities.
Most importantly, trees are planted by locals, for locals. The programme works with community members from over 200 villages in the Lushoto district, creating employment opportunities with a strong focus on equal opportunity.
Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Our Tanzania reforestation initiative supports several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- Zero Hunger – through improved agricultural productivity via agroforestry
- Climate Action – by absorbing carbon and restoring forest ecosystems
- Life on Land – by protecting biodiversity and rehabilitating degraded landscapes
- Gender Equality – by prioritising inclusive and equitable employment opportunities
Our Commitment Moving Forward
Planting 1,136 trees is just the beginning.
As a travel business built on enabling people to explore the world, we believe it is our responsibility to protect it too. We will be continuing this initiative and expanding our efforts to offset carbon, support biodiversity and contribute to sustainable communities.
Travel should leave memories – not damage. We are committed to making sure the journeys we help create also give something back to the planet.
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