Courtesy of Singita
What is ethical tourism? The UN has declared 2017 the Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development — an entire year dedicated to reminding us that tourism just isn’t about seeing the sites: it’s about connecting with local people and local cultures, minimizing our impact on the environment, and growing local economies It is about growing peace through understanding. Basically, we can make a difference in each other’s lives no matter where we are in the world. I am proud of my role as a 2017 Ambassador of Change to support #IY2017. Saving the world by balancing conservation, ecotourism and community development. Click To Tweet
Five Huge Impacts Luxurious Travelers Can Help Making Through Ethical Tourism
CONSERVATION
Conservation lives hand-in-hand with ecotourism and community development at Singita, which operates lodges, concessions and preserves in Africa. The company s dedicated to maintaining these pristine places for future generations. They balance nature conservation, the empowerment of local communities through an the environmentally conscious hospitality measures that supports these activities. Luxury travel create deeply immersive experiences. Click To Tweet
Singita Grumeti, Tanzania
At Singita Grumeti, a 350,000-acre reserve in Tanzania, the the Environmental Education Centre educates the community’s next generation of leaders on the importance of a balanced, sustainable ecosystem and from it a viable economic option through controlled tourism. Other measures include providing early childhood education through the Singita Community Development Trust initiated the Growing to Read programme in partnership with the non-profit READ Educational Trust. And to stem the tide of poaching, Singita developed a K9 Anti-poaching Unit to pursue poachers or sniff out illegal activity such as smuggled rhino horn or ammunition.
Courtesy of Brando
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES
In French Polynesia, The Brando, a luxury lodge on an island formally owned by the actor, works to minimize environmental impacts.
The Brando, French Polynesia
The Brando uses sustainability strategies to provide all the resort’s energy needs through renewable sources such as solar panels for heating hot water and generators powered by local coconut biodiesel. Rooms are cooled by pumping deep sea ocean water through a system of pipes and an exchanger to reduce energy consumption for air conditioning by 90%. Ethical tourism preserves history and local culture. Ethical travel preserves history and local culture. Click To Tweet
Courtesy of Ashford Castle
HERITAGE PRESERVATION
Originally built in 1228, Ashford Castle has been a part of much of Ireland’s history.
Ashford Castle, Ireland
Residents of the nearby village of Cong had worked at the castle for generations for the gentry that originally owned it, and later as a resort. The property experienced a period of decay until 2013 when it was purchased by the Tollman family, owners of Red Carnation Hotels. They have restored its grandeur by refurbishing the historic buildings using local craftsmen, period furnishings and local arts. It has reestablished ties with the community of the village of Cong, who consider the castle part of their heritage and who, once again, make up the majority of employees. The castle has also resurrected the art and education of falconry , the first school of its kind in Ireland. Traveling with an ethical mindset can empower local populations and save endangered cultures. Click To Tweet
Courtesy of Theresa Jackson, Enlightened Journeys Travel
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
In Peru, even with the popularity of tourism to Cusco and Machu Picchu, very few indigenous communities from the surrounding countryside benefit from tourism.
Peru
Tour companies with deep ties in the region have worked with local communities to help grow economies and empower the citizens through training and work as guides and porters for the men and for the preservation of traditional handicrafts in weaving cooperatives for the women in which travelers can learn stages of the weaving process and purchase goods directly from the source. Travelers may also stay in indigenous communities to participate in its way of life.
Ethical travel can create parity in wages and societal equality for women. Click To Tweet
EMPOWERING WOMEN
Traditional gender roles in India have created an uneven playing field for women when it comes to accessing education and employment opportunities. A small group tour company, G Adventures and its social enterprise arm, Planterra, work with Azad Foundation, to empower disadvantaged women from resource-poor urban areas across India and train them to become professional commercial drivers.
Azad Foundation
Azad’s signature program, Women on Wheels, provides technical, self-empowerment and self-development training to fully equip women to become self-sustaining professional drivers while G Adventures and Planeterra provide funding for a third of Women on Wheels fleet vehicles, as well as funding and resources for the Women on Wheels training program and providing a growing customer base. These are but a few examples of the ways in which Luxury Travel leads the way in ethical and responsible tourism, enhancing the traveler’s experience while providing the means to support communities, improve local economies, and preserve wildlife and the environment. I will be reporting more on ethical tourism practices around the world in future articles. Other blog posts in the sustainable travel series are:
- Insanely Stylish Sustainable Hotels – Boutique Travel Agency Enlightened Journeys Travel
- Luxury Travel Advisor Theresa Jackson Named Ambassador of Change
At Enlightened Journeys Travel, it is my mission to help my clients #TravelforGood- good for them through handcrafted itineraries for immersive journeys of a lifetime in comfortable world travel, and good for the destinations they visit. #IAmAnEnlightenedTraveler
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