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Environmental
policy. Looking at their marketing materials, what is the
travel provider's environmental policy? Is it obvious? Does
it take into consideration environmental, economic and socio-cultural
impacts? Is the travel provider actively involved in supporting
environmental issues, particularly in the areas visited? Do
they raise environmental awareness by distributing environmental
or sustainable tourism guidelines to consumers? Do they offer
training for their staff in these areas? |
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Conservation.
Will you be supporting travel providers who have good conservation
ethics? Will your trip strengthen the conservation effort for,
and enhance the natural integrity of, the places you visit?
Does it affect locals in a way that causes them to proactively
support the preservation of their environment? |
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Environmental
impacts. Do their guides foster a respect for the environment,
particularly in the areas visited, and encourage their guests
to do the same? Do guides ever intentionally disturb or encourage
the disturbance of wildlife or wildlife habitats? Do they keep
vehicles on designated roads and trails and abide by the rules
and regulations of the natural areas they visit? |
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Local
economy. Are locals benefiting financially from your trip,
directly or indirectly? Is the travel provider or accommodation
locally owned and operated? Are locals receiving sufficient
economic benefits from them as guides, cooks, crew, suppliers,
etc.? Will you be eating in locally owned restaurants and buying
locally made crafts (that are not made from rare or endangered
species) versus imported goods? |
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Public
transport. Will you be using public transportation during
your vacation? Will you take advantage of group taxis and vans?
Or will you cycle or walk and see local communities and meet
local people firsthand? |
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Natural
resource use. Is the travel provider efficient in the use
of natural resources, such as water, energy and building materials?
For example, do they use water and energy sparingly, taking
into consideration that local people may not have sufficient
clean water? Or that energy may be at a premium in less developed
countries? Are low-impact, energy efficient technologies utilized
in operations: e.g., fluorescent or other low-energy lighting,
renewable and sustainable building materials, rainwater showers,
composting toilets, and solar electricity? |
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Reduce,
reuse and recycle. Does the travel provider work toward
cutting down on or eliminating waste? Do they purchase or produce
items that use less material, have a longer life and can be
readily recycled? Do they use an item again for its original
purpose or for new purposes rather than throwing it away? |
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Respect
local culture. Are you prepared to immerse yourself in and
accept cultures that are different from your own? Has your travel
provider informed you of the local environments or social customs
of the places you're planning to visit so you may avoid accidentally
offending them or harming their environment? Does your travel
provider advocate respect for local cultures, traditions and
holy places? For example, are tour guides well versed and respectful
of local cultures and environments? Do they encourage their
guests: to ask permission before photographing local people,
to dress a certain way, to be respectful of local norms, and/or
to adopt local cultural practices without seeming patronizing? |
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Food
and dining. Where will your food come from? Is it locally
produced or organically grown by local farmers and ranchers?
Are the locals educated about sustainable farming practices?
Are you eating endangered species or beef from rain forest-grazed
cattle that are exacerbating the rapid rate of deforestation? |
