Brian Taussig-Lux & Hal Taussig of Untours on the Rhine River in Germany
Founded in 1975 and one of our first B Corps, Untours offers a truly unique travel experience. Rather than simply seeing the artificial face of Europe, travelers can integrate into local culture. Hotels and bus tours are replaced with apartment living and local contacts. Set schedules are tossed out in favor of personal preferences and spontaneity. Untours was the first US company to supply private, furnished vacation rental apartments and continues to blaze the way with unique business policies and philanthropic profit-sharing.
Untours is truly unique in an uncountable number of ways. Vacation packages are tailored to the customer, providing custom experiences every time. In an effort to deliver truly knowledgeable service, the staff is required to spend at least a couple of weeks overseas on a regular basis. In this way, they are not only Untours employees but customers as well. Furthermore, this B Corp has maintained a strong dedication to sustainable policies. The Media, Pa office has recently installed solar panels which supply about a third of its electricity. The company purchases CO2 offsets for the remainder to become carbon neutral. Customers are also offered carbon offsets to balance their trip’s impact.
Untours and its founder Hal Taussig have been innovative leaders from the start. With an unusual background in ranching and teaching, Hal stumbled upon the concept of apartment-based tourism following a sabbatical. Beginning in Switzerland, through contacts from his Swiss daughter-in-law, Hal soon developed a dedicated customer base and expanded his offerings. By tenaciously pursuing his dream, Hal began making a profit. However he had no interest in acquiring wealth and was soon seeking beneficial ways to give back. After some interesting experiments in rebates and employee profit-sharing, the Untours Foundation was founded. By providing low interest loans to individuals and organization with innovative and replicable projects. the foundation offers “change, not charity”. Investments are directed towards creating jobs for the disenfranchised, building low-income housing and supporting Fair Trade Certified products. Recipients, normally unable to borrow money, now are given an opportunity to pursue their dreams. Untours’ mission of promoting social and economic justice has acted as a model for others, making them true business leaders.
The pursuit of leadership and positive businesses easily extended into becoming a Certified B Corp. Involved from the very start, Untours is a Founding B Corp and natural fit. In joining our community, they have dedicated their support to defining this sector of the business world. It is equally important to gain recognition in the market and by legislators. Untours is not only a great model of a B Corp, but is investing in the B Corps of the future.
Looking ahead, Untours will continue to grow. They have already extended into North and South America and may soon offer travel to Quebec. Furthermore, the organization has retained its dedication to Europe. Next in line, a new package to the Italian Riviera. Untours upholds its mission throughout every aspect of business and is the definition of a B. We invite you to support this amazing organization and Better Know them online.
Recent Comments