Responsible Travellers
Everyone has a different approach to travel, and often a different reason for traveling. Ask the question 'what is a responsible traveller' and for every person asked the answer will be different (and so possibly the spelling of the word traveller). Maybe the question isn't 'what is a responsible traveller?' but 'what should responsible travellers think about during their travels?'
Attitude crosses Countries, Economies, Cultures, Heritages and Environments. It's about each individual, and the impression they leave behind.
An open mind - being receptive and unprejudiced is invaluable in making the most of any travel experience.
Respect can mean so many things, but when we're traveling its about respecting people - their traditions, their different cultures, religious views or morals, their environment and natural resources.
Awareness - is about being aware of what's around us - nature, birdlife and wildlife, our natural riches and the negative influence we have on the natural world, and what we'll leave behind for future generations.
Impact - is about the impact we have on the world we live in, it's about social and economic demands, it's about the impact we have on the people we meet, the impact of our actions.
Pay fairly - have fun bartering but do pay a fair price for what you buy.
You've probably got your own words that reflect what being a Responsible Traveller is - regardless of words, it's our actions that define us as a Responsible Traveller.
Attitude crosses Countries, Economies, Cultures, Heritages and Environments. It's about each individual, and the impression they leave behind.
An open mind - being receptive and unprejudiced is invaluable in making the most of any travel experience.
Respect can mean so many things, but when we're traveling its about respecting people - their traditions, their different cultures, religious views or morals, their environment and natural resources.
Awareness - is about being aware of what's around us - nature, birdlife and wildlife, our natural riches and the negative influence we have on the natural world, and what we'll leave behind for future generations.
Impact - is about the impact we have on the world we live in, it's about social and economic demands, it's about the impact we have on the people we meet, the impact of our actions.
Pay fairly - have fun bartering but do pay a fair price for what you buy.
You've probably got your own words that reflect what being a Responsible Traveller is - regardless of words, it's our actions that define us as a Responsible Traveller.
Responsible Dress
Wearing appropriate clothes can make all the difference to how you are treated when travelling overseas, especially for women, and especially when travelling to some of the places we take you to. If you are looking forward to integrating with local people and communities on your holiday, then our guidelines for 'responsible dress' which respects local customs and traditions will help you pack the right sort of clothes. A 'what to wear' guideline for each holiday is sent to you with your holiday confirmation details.
Responsible Photography
A tourist group brandishing cameras, each trying to outdo the other and get the best shot, zooming in on people going about their daily lives without any consideration, making people give inappropriate demonstrations or ceremonies, crowding round a sleeping Cheetah in minibuses to make sure the 'big 5' are all snapped, or speeding up to a tribe in the Omo Valley and snapping away. There's a huge difference between a 'voyeuristic snapper' and a 'responsible photographer'. Traveling on your own, or in a very small group results in a far more rewarding photography experience - an experience that is not always just about photography, but about the whole experience and a memory to cherish. We follow our local partners guidelines on photography, who have long term connections with the places we visit, the people we meet and the different projects. We try to make sure that local people and projects get to see some of the photographs we take. If you do promise to send someone a photograph you have taken of them, please do, don't just say it and then forget. When travelling with a camera be open, talk to people, ask if they mind you taking their photography, ask an adult's permission before photographing a child, respect their answers and wishes. Take into account cultural and social customs. Don't disturb wildlife or birdlife just to get a more interesting shot. Think about what you do with your photographs when you get home. Is it responsible to put your photographs on a social website which may give unrestricted 'usage rights' to the website owner or to enter a competition that exploits use of your image, and worse still, exploits the person you photographed? How would you like it if, going about your daily tasks, someone sticks a camera in your face, clicks the shutter a few times and then just walks on. It's not on is it?
Cultural, Environmental and Conservation Issues
Managing the Environment is challenging for developing Countries that are trying to maximise their tourism revenue. In Morocco, people, such as the ones we stay with in the Mountain village, rely on village taps for water, whilst golf tourism uses gallons of water and pesticides. In Morocco, Ethiopia and Rwanda local people walk miles to collect water and irrigating their land is a huge challenge. Tourism developments, whether built in cities and towns or in stunning locations impact on the limited natural resources. Accommodation, restaurants, swimming pools, golf courses, and lots more tourism facilities take precedence for water supplies over the local population. They can also take precedence over location, with local people losing their homes and land, wildlife displaced, and the natural flora, fauna and trees hacked down. The stunning landscapes and fascinating cultures that tempt us to a Country can often be to the detriment of the local people, wildlife, nature, flora and fauna. Lots of tourism workers, many of whom are children are exploited, experience poor working conditions and do not earn a fair wage. The answer is to plan, manage and develop tourism in a sustainable way that protects the environment and livelihoods for the future of both the local people and tourism. When you are travelling, please be responsible with local resources, dispose of rubbish and waste appropriately and if you are concerned by something you see, please let us know. Buying locally produced or crafted goods where the money goes directly to the people who made them, or buying from local markets and shops is one way that you can make sure local people benefit from your holiday money. In the UK an organisation called Tourism Concern actively campaigns on tourism and human rights issues - visit their website link to become more informed on the issues and dilemmas facing the Tourism Industry.Responsible Photography Holidays
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