Iris Serbanescu is one of those rare people in travel who's not just talking about ethical tourism for the Instagram likes - she's actually built her entire business around it, and I'm 100% here for it.

I first met Iris at an Adventure Travel Trade Association conference in Denver back in May, and within about five minutes I knew she was someone I wanted in my corner. She's genuine, down-to-earth, and refreshingly easy to talk to in an industry that can feel a bit stuffy and--let's be honest--is often dominated by men.

We're diving deep into what ethical travel actually means beyond the buzzwords, why it's worth every penny, and how small locally-owned operators compete against the budget travel giants. Iris founded By Iris Representation to connect ethical tour operators and DMCs worldwide with North American travelers, and she started Women's Work - the first tourism-specific business accelerator for women and non-binary entrepreneurs in North America.

But this conversation goes beyond business. Iris is a 38-year-old queer woman who's chosen solo travel, staying single, being childfree, and building a life that doesn't fit the traditional mold the travel industry usually celebrates. We're talking about the single supplement penalty, why Barcelona is the best solo travel city, hop-on-hop-off buses (don't @ us), and how I fired a Moroccan tour guide who couldn't handle working with a woman in charge.

Upcoming Trips Mentioned:

Georgia: October 2 - 11, 2026

Links & Resources (Iris)

Links & Resources (Laura)

Follow my personal IG: @lolawhiskey
Follow my business IG: @lauraericsongrouptrips
Follow our podcast: @type2travelpodcast
Learn more about upcoming trips: lauraericson.com
Check out our podcast page: lauraericson.com/podcast
Join my Facebook group: @lolalovestravel

Thanks for being here! As always, rate, review, share with a friend, and tag us if you’re listening.

Gender Equality, Greenwashing, and Supporting Ethical Tourism with Iris Serbanescu