On the occasion of the World Environment Day, Naturefriends International is drawing attention to the importance of an intact natural environment for people and the economy. A functioning ecosystem is an indispensable basis for tourism. This year's focus on ‘plastic pollution’ once again emphasizes the urgency of concrete measures – also in the travel and leisure industry.
Calling all hiking enthusiasts! Naturefriends International, together with its partners, has developed the ‘Climate Hikes Guideline’ and accompanying training materials as part of the Climate Hikes project. They combine the joy of hiking with raising environmental awareness. With this wealth of tools, you can develop your own Climate Hike on environmental topics of your choice and adapt it to different target groups.
We are thrilled to share the 2024 Climate Fund Impact Report, showcasing the remarkable efforts of our Naturefriends organizations in Senegal and Mali. Their impactful work is not just outlined in words but also brought to life in captivating videos.
In 2024, the focus of the Climate Fund's activities was on planting fruit trees—an endeavor that has taken root in both countries.
On International Women's Day, the 8th of March, Naturefriends International (NFI) draws attention to the precarious working situation of girls and women in global tourism and the need for effective measures and tasks to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. Unfortunately, equal rights, power and chances are far from being a reality in tourism.
Over 700 Naturefriends Houses exist worldwide in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The first Naturefriends House was opened in 1907 at the Padasterjoch in the Stubai Alps, Austria, marking the beginning of a movement to provide the working class with access to affordable recreation in nature. Over time, these houses became symbols of solidarity, environmental protection and socially sound tourism.
This Christmas, let’s make our celebration a gift to the African Naturefriends and the population in our project regions. Naturefriends International's annual Christmas Fundraising Campaign for the Climate Fund has become a cherished tradition—a way to give back while giving forward. Each year, we are overjoyed to see how many Naturefriends choose to gift their loved ones with the symbol of hope and sustainability: fruit trees.
We would like to thank over 120 participants who shared their photos with us.
The winning photos are as colourful as the travel experiences – they speak more than a thousand words and show how you can escape the daily grind on sustainable paths and create lasting memories.
On the occasion of today's World Tourism Day, Naturefriends International (NFI) emphasises its call for a sustainable transformation of tourism as part of the shift towards a culture of peace and cooperation.
A united voice for a peaceful future for all people
„Naturefriends for Peace" was the motto of the 10th Annual Conference of Naturefriends International (NFI), which took place on 14th September in Heerlen, the Netherlands. "We all want peace and an end to the suffering of the civilian population – be it in Ukraine, Palestine or in the numerous other conflict spots where weapons are being used," said NFI President Manfred Pils in his opening statement.