Planning to travel more sustainably this summer? These Amsterdam startups can help

As summer holidays about to sweep across Europe, the excitement of exploration and adventure fills the air. 

However, in a world grappling with environmental challenges, a new sense of responsibility is emerging among travellers – the need for sustainable journeys that leave a positive impact on the planet. 

Meet a group of Amsterdam-based startups leading the charge in transforming how we travel and offering eco-conscious solutions to satiate our wanderlust responsibly.

These innovative ventures embrace the principles of sustainability, ethical tourism, and the betterment of travel experiences for all. 

From booking nature-based excursions that support local communities to finding eco-friendly accommodations and facilitating eco-conscious transportation, these startups are reshaping the travel landscape as we know it.

Conservio

Founder/s: Justin Rijnberg and Lara Dendy Young,

Founded in 2021, Conservio claims to be a go-to platform for booking nature-based excursions and offers a “unique” selection of accommodations and activities in South Africa. 

Adventuresome travellers can book a range of memorable travel experiences on the Amsterdam’s Conservio marketplace, including strolling excursions, eco-cabins, tented camps, and 10-day trips through the Congo jungle.

RemoteDream

Founder/s: Salvatore Tipaldi and Joeri Nanov

Amsterdam-based RemoteDream helps in finding locations to work and stay during a workation or remote work trip. The primary goal of the platform is to serve as a centralised hub, offering a complete collection of ideal remote work hotels and hostels that can be easily booked by users.

The company’s co-founder Nanov wants Remote Dream to be an ultimate destination for arranging every aspect of one’s remote work journey. From securing accommodations to facilitating all other necessary arrangements, RemoteDream aims to streamline and enhance the entire remote work experience for its users.

Gaiyo

Founder/s: Lucien Groenhuijzen, Maurice Mulders and Steven Lagerweij

Gaiyo is an Amsterdam-based Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) provider which allows users access to shared and public mobility. The app offers a real-time overview of all available travel options and combinations, complete with departure and arrival times, travel time, and costs. 

It offers travel options like trains, trams, and buses, as well as shared transportation. The app also displays the hours when connected public transit is available.

The company claims to offer the cheapest parking app in the Netherlands. It provides practical extra transit features without levying transaction or subscription costs for parking acts. 

Through the app, users can plan their route, get a traffic congestion summary, utilise the app to purchase rail tickets, or even reserve a shared ride.

Good.Travel

Founder/s: Bas Schleijpen

Good.Travel is an Amsterdam-based innovative platform designed to help people find and book hotels that make a positive impact on the world. 

Founded by a ‘passionate team of avid travellers’, Good.Travel’s mission is to preserve the integrity of the countries people visit. 

Vimbu

Founder/s: Curro Romero

Vimbu is a mobile & web app platform that aims to simplify the process of booking and managing outdoor sports lessons. The platform acts as a bridge, connecting learners with highly qualified instructors in various sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and various summer activities. 

Regardless of skill levels, Vimbu places emphasis on delivering a personalised and hassle-free experience for all users.

To ensure the best learning experience, Vimbu incorporates an advanced instructor filtering system. This system facilitates the perfect match between learners and instructors, guaranteeing a high-quality and tailored approach to each lesson. 

Moreover, the Amsterdam company is dedicated to providing competitive pricing, making outdoor sports lessons accessible to a wide range of enthusiasts.

GrootTravels

Founder/s: Sonia Groot

Amsterdam-based GrootTravels helps people with physical disabilities to see the world by giving correct and accurate accessibility information.

Slinger Match

Founder/s: Marvin Pupping

Slinger Match is a clever widget developed by the company to address the environmental impact of transportation at festivals and sporting events. 

Did you know that an astonishing 60 per cent to 85 per cent of CO2 emissions from such events are caused by transport, even though visitors’ cars are only 50 per cent filled? 

Slinger Match seeks to revolutionise this scenario by connecting event attendees and encouraging them to carpool together, creating a more enjoyable and sustainable driving experience. 

This user-friendly widget can be effortlessly integrated into the organisation’s website within just five minutes, seamlessly facilitating connections between visitors interested in sharing rides. 

The widget has already undergone rigorous testing and has been embraced by major names in the entertainment industry, including the likes of Johan Cruijff ArenA, KNVB, MOJO, Ziggo Dome Vrienden van Amstel, Lowlands, DTRH, and FC Twente. 

The widget is available for any festival or sports event organiser in the Netherlands, amplifying its potential to make a positive impact on the environment and transportation practices.