Earth Issues
Responsible Travel and Sustainable Tourism “Responsible Tourism”
Responsible travel and sustainable tourism are much used buzzwords in our industry that relate to a three way deal, how tourists travel and what they do on holiday, how travel agents and tour operators conduct their businesses, and how both parties impact on the people, wildlife, nature and land where their travels and business takes place.
It’s about ensuring that the people, whose land, natural resources, labour, knowledge and culture are used for tourism activities, actually benefit from tourism.
At Expedition Africa we believe that supporting these Earth Issues is a given to ensure long term success, and most importantly starts at home with internal organisational practices and the concept of fair trade.
Simply put – “We believe that how we conduct our business and individual lives every day will have more direct influence on the planet than many of the broader concepts that in reality are easier to talk about than action”.
We endeavour to entrench a culture of responsible tourism by following a basic code (listed below) and embracing certain daily responsibilities. We also use the concepts of transparency, mutual respect, and the promotion of personal growth & development within the tourism environment, guide our working behaviour and general conduct.
The Expedition Africa Daily To Do List
- Provide a service that ensures differentiated, safe, good-quality, fair value, and stimulating safari tours.
- Try to avoid debt whenever possible, have patience and think long term (bankers are not to be trusted).
- Pick honest, clever and up-lifting, visionary mentors.
- Create our own value systems and always work harder, longer and faster than the other guys.
- Grow and develop the business and the individuals of the business by embracing a culture of interactive teamwork, where communication of individual ideas and contributions are shared and utilised to achieve common goals, and everyone is able to work unhindered in achieving agreed business objectives.
- Perform our duties with responsibility and professionalism in accordance with appropriate standards.
- Operate in compliance with legal and statutory requirements.
- Conduct ourselves and behave in a manner that is beyond approach. All of our behaviour will reflect a respect for the health and safety of others, for the culture and beliefs of colleagues and clients, and for the working and natural environment in which we operate.
- Embrace an environment that is tolerant and non-discriminatory, especially with regard to nationality, ethnicity, culture, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical and mental differences, beliefs, religion and ideologies.
- To protect the environment and support African charities and wildlife organisations. Encourage and facilitate the sale of volunteer tours by our agents
- Value our time and work at things diligently until the returns diminish whilst taking cognisance of the value added concept.
- Practice credibility, critical thinking and have courage.
- Pro-actively educate staff and travellers about cultural and environmental issues and work towards environmentally responsible behaviour in everyday life.
- Contribute to broader societal goals and look beyond simply making a profit – don’t squeeze the suppliers until they can no longer operate – pay fair value.
Responsible Travel - Guidelines for people on Safari Holidays
There are some basic and simple guidelines that travellers can follow on their holidays that will make a meaningful contribution to Responsible Tourism. We will assist in a practical way on every tour we operate, for example :
- Supply our clients with the document “Responsible Travel Guidelines”
- Whenever possible Expedition Africa staff practice eco-friendly use of the purchase and disposable of produce and other perishables.
- We try not purchase out of season imported produce and where feasible goods are bought from local vendors and communities.
- Clients are encouraged to decant bottled water from large bulk containers rather than purchase numerous small plastics.
EAST AFRICAN WILDLIFE SOCIETY
The East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) came into being in 1961 through a merger of the Kenya and Tanzania Wild Life Societies and wildlife enthusiasts from Uganda. EAWLS has been at the forefront of efforts to protect endangered, rare or threatened species and habitats in East Africa. The Society realises the need for stakeholders in tourism and conservation to come together, providing a forum for the regional community to understand and review how to achieve sustainable environmental management and community benefits through tourism.
