Responsible Travel, the Alternative Routes way.
At Alternative Routes, responsible travel isn’t a marketing phrase — it’s simply how we show up for our guests, our team, and the communities that welcome us in.
We started because there was a real gap in Nova Scotia. Visitors wanted to explore beyond Halifax — to small towns, coastlines, wineries, and villages — but there wasn’t an easy way to do that without renting a car. Public transportation didn’t reach most rural places, and driving wasn’t an option (or a desire) for many travellers.
So we created an alternative.
What began as a practical solution grew into a way of travelling that feels more human, more respectful, and more connected to place. From the moment you step into the van, our goal is simple: to help you feel welcome, safe, and taken care of — so you can actually enjoy the journey.
Travel That Puts People First
Our drivers aren’t just drivers. They’re hosts, guides, and very often the people guests remember most.
We support our team with fair pay, clear expectations, ongoing training, and strong policies that prioritize inclusion, safety, and respect. Harassment and discrimination have no place here — in the van or behind the scenes. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable, supported, and welcome.
Accessibility matters to us, too. Not all needs are visible, and we work with our team to offer flexibility and accommodations without judgment or fuss. When people feel supported at work, it shows — in how they care for guests, for each other, and for the places we travel through.
Getting Cars Off the Road (and Making Travel Better Because of It)
Shared transportation is at the heart of what we do. With our hop-on-hop-off every guest who travels with us is one less rental car on Nova Scotia’s roads — which means less congestion in small towns, fewer packed parking lots at popular sites, and lower emissions overall.
But it also means something else: guests get to relax.
There’s no navigating unfamiliar roads, no worrying about parking, no stress about what comes next. Instead, you can look out the window, ask questions, hear stories, and actually take in where you are. Travelling together turns the journey into part of the experience, not just a way to get from point A to point B.
Supporting the Communities We Travel Through
We don’t just pass through places — we support them.
Our routes are designed to highlight locally owned businesses, artists, and small communities across Nova Scotia. We build relationships over time, listen to feedback, and share local stories with care and accuracy. Guests are encouraged to shop local, eat local, and explore with respect.
Tourism works best when communities benefit in real, lasting ways and when visitors feel like guests, not crowds.
Travelling Gently
Travelling gently means paying attention to how we move through the places we love to share.
Behind the scenes, we focus on efficient routing, reduced idling, waste reduction, and Leave No Trace practices at every stop. Our drivers are trained to respect wildlife, coastlines, and working landscapes. These are small, everyday choices — made consistently — that help protect the places that make Nova Scotia special.
Holding Ourselves Accountable
Being responsible also means being willing to look closely at how we operate and how we can do better.
That’s why Alternative Routes is working toward becoming a Certified B Corporation. B Corp certification is a third-party assessment that looks at how a company treats its people, supports communities, cares for the environment, and holds itself accountable. It helps ensure our values show up in our day-to-day operations, not just in our words.
Choosing a Better Way to Travel
For us, responsible travel is built through care, consistency, and attention to detail.
It looks like shared journeys, real relationships, and travel experiences that feel warm, personal, and deeply connected to Nova Scotia — the way travel here should feel.