← Responsible Tourism ~ inspirational and impactful. Some personal accounts.
Related to my previous post on Responsible Tourism, it can be argued that the “travelers-to-be” may already have ideas on how exactly they’d like to make a difference through their travels. But what about the travel industry itself, how do they prepare for this new demand? And where must they begin to position themselves to accommodate this new trend?
The following example from Seattle-based TCS & Starquest Exeditions travel company that specializes in bespoke round-the-world high-end travel by private jet charter. This travel outfit has been committed to responsible travel and sustainable development globally, since their inception.
We help ensure that our travelers join our expeditions well prepared, well informed, and immensely interested in the places and peoples they encounter throughout our trips. For example, every expedition is staffed with a team of world-class experts who share fascinating insights into the destinations and people we visit. And whenever possible, we arrange to have our travelers meet with local experts, dignitaries, artisans, and families, to gain rare insiders’ perspectives into local cultures. Find out more about our educational program.
We break into small groups to minimize our physical impact at all sites.
We use a state-of-the-art audio tour guide system to minimize noise at all sites.
We employ local guides and whenever possible, work with locally owned businesses.
We provide first-aid kits, clothing, sporting goods, composition books, pencils, rulers, erasers, arts-and-crafts items, and other supplies to rural community centers and schools that we visit.
We commission local artists and businesses to create unique artwork and handicrafts that we give as gifts to our travelers.
We hire local musicians, dancers, and artisans for our special events during expeditions, to support the continuation of local traditions and customs.
We collect leftover local currency from travelers before leaving a destination, and donate it to a local charity on behalf of the group.
More than 90% of Starquest’s employees use public transportation for their daily commute.
We reduce, reuse, and recycle in our offices. In the Seattle, Washington, Moscow, Idaho, and St. Charles, Missouri offices, we recycle plastics and paper; make back-to-back photocopies; recycle ink cartridges; reuse all cardboard boxes and unused trip amenities; repair broken electronic items; test all batteries for reuse; use energy-saving photocopiers and printers; and e-mail documents instead of faxing or mailing them, whenever possible.
This entry was posted in Responsible Travel and tagged Ecotourism, Responsible Tourism, Unique Travel Experience. Bookmark the permalink.