Big Bear Lake, California Partners with Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back Programme to Promote Sustainable Tourism and Community Impact

Published on October 28, 2025

The need for responsible travel has grown significantly as the world’s tourism industry continues to expand. One of the best examples of how tourism can both benefit and hurt small towns is Big Bear Lake, a well-known mountain resort in California. Big Bear Lake, which has only 6,000 residents and almost 7 million visitors annually, has long depended on tourism to propel its local economy. But the increasing number of tourists has put a lot of strain on the area’s environment and resources. Big Bear Lake has embraced a new initiative that seeks to strike a balance between sustainability and tourism in response to these issues. This new chapter for Big Bear Lake has been marked by the destination’s partnership with Kind Traveller’s Every Stay Gives Back™ programme, a move that is expected to help preserve the region’s natural beauty while benefiting local communities.

Why Sustainable Travel Matters Now More Than Ever

The shift toward responsible tourism has been fuelled by changing traveller expectations. A study by Booking.com revealed that 73% of travelers want the money they spend on trips to benefit the local community, while 84% of participants indicated that sustainability influences their travel choices. Similarly, the 2025 Portrait of American Travelers® report by MMGY highlighted the increasing prioritisation of sustainability and experiential value among American travelers, even as travel costs rise. These statistics demonstrate that more tourists are seeking experiences that have a positive environmental and social impact.

In an era where climate action and community resilience are more crucial than ever, this growing demand for sustainability has prompted destinations across the world to explore regenerative tourism models. Big Bear Lake, by joining the Every Stay Gives Back™ programme, aims to create a tourism model that nurtures both the environment and the local community.

A Collaborative Effort for Responsible Travel

The partnership between Visit Big Bear and Kind Traveller builds upon a broader initiative spearheaded by Visit California. The Every Stay Gives Back™ programme, launched in September 2023, is a collaborative effort that includes nine California destination partners. These destinations, along with over 100 lodging and nonprofit partners, have come together to transform travel into a force for good, channelling the economic benefits of tourism toward environmental restoration, community welfare, disaster recovery, and animal conservation.

The programme has already raised over $1.5 million for various causes, such as marine mammal rescue, forest cleanups, and ocean conservation. The donations made through Every Stay Gives Back™ are tracked via Kind Traveller’s Impact Dashboards, providing transparency and making the process of giving both visible and measurable. This initiative is a key example of how tourism, when managed responsibly, can contribute to a destination’s long-term sustainability.

How Big Bear Lake Contributes to the Initiative

Big Bear Lake’s participation in the Every Stay Gives Back™ programme is a step toward ensuring that tourism directly benefits the community and the environment. Travelers who stay at participating Big Bear Lake lodging partners will have the opportunity to make a tangible difference. A portion of every booking will go toward one of two local causes:

• Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo: This organisation plays a crucial role in rehabilitating and releasing injured or orphaned wildlife, while providing sanctuary for animals that cannot survive in the wild. The funds raised will help ensure that the zoo can continue its vital work.
• Care for Big Bear: This community-wide initiative focuses on environmental stewardship, organising activities such as trail and shoreline cleanups, dark-sky preservation efforts, and educational programmes designed to protect the natural beauty of the area.

Even small donations can have a significant impact. For example, a $10 contribution can feed a hawk for three days or fund necessary supplies for a community trail cleanup. This model of responsible tourism allows travelers to directly support the causes they care about while still enjoying their visit to Big Bear Lake.

Participating Lodging Partners in Big Bear Lake

Several lodging partners in Big Bear Lake are supporting the Every Stay Gives Back™ programme, each contributing to either the Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo or Care for Big Bear. These establishments include a variety of accommodations, from rustic cabins to luxury retreats. Some of the key lodging partners are:

• A Chalet: Offering rustic to luxury cabins, this property supports both Care for Big Bear and local hospitality internships.
• Big Bear Lakefront Cabins: These lakeside retreats donate to Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
• Sessions Retreat & Hotel: A wellness-focused lodge that supports Care for Big Bear.
• Awesome Vacation Homes: Boutique rentals contributing to Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
• Big Bear Vacations: The area’s longest-running rental company, which supports Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
• Kind Cabineer: A woman-and-veteran-owned cabin collection that supports Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.

This collaboration underscores the importance of local businesses in fostering a culture of stewardship and sustainability. It highlights the idea that even small acts of giving can add up to create a significant impact on the community and the environment.

The Future of Responsible Travel

The Every Stay Gives Back™ programme in Big Bear Lake represents a broader movement toward more sustainable and regenerative tourism practices. As more destinations adopt similar programmes, travelers will have increased opportunities to make a positive impact while enjoying their vacations. This shift towards responsible travel reflects a growing understanding that tourism must not only be profitable but also sustainable, benefiting both local communities and the planet.

The partnership between Visit Big Bear and Kind Traveller is a model for how destinations can thrive in balance with nature. By embracing this initiative, Big Bear Lake is ensuring that tourism contributes to the long-term well-being of its community and the preservation of its natural beauty.

In the years ahead, it is expected that more destinations will follow Big Bear Lake’s lead in integrating responsible tourism practices into their offerings. Through these efforts, travelers can enjoy memorable experiences while also playing a role in the preservation and sustainability of the places they visit.

Turning Tourism into Positive Action

A timely and significant step toward guaranteeing that tourism benefits the environment and the local community is Big Bear Lake’s collaboration with Kind Traveller’s Every Stay Gives Back™ programme. The initiative provides a model for how tourism can transform into a positive force by facilitating travelers’ contributions to worthwhile causes. In addition to improving the vacation experience, this partnership aids in protecting the natural environments and fauna that make Big Bear Lake such a unique place.

Partnerships like these will help guarantee that travel continues to be a force for good, balancing the needs of communities, the environment, and tourists alike as tourism grows.