Responsible Tourism

“BETTER PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE AND BETTER PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO VISIT.”

What is Responsible Tourism?

Responsible Tourism was defined in Cape Town in 2002 alongside the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This definition, the cape town declaration is now widely accepted and was been adopted by the World Travel Market in 2007 for world responsible tourism day..

The genesis of responsible tourism lies in the growth of tourism as a global industry that sustains local economies, employs millions and connects the world. As with all expansion of human activity, tourism brought in its wake some potentially damaging consequences, which include rampant development, ugly pollution and destruction of natural resources. To combat this without negatively affecting economies that depend on tourism, and instead to help them prosper in the future as well, Responsible Tourism came about, first as a nascent initiative attempted by lone crusaders in scattered pockets of the world, till it grew over the last quarter of a century into a movement that not only inspires and informs but delivers bang for the tourist buck at the same time.

Responsible Tourism is about “making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit.” Responsible Tourism requires that operators, hoteliers, governments, local people and tourists take responsibility, take action to make tourism more sustainable.

The Cape Town Declaration recognizes that Responsible Tourism takes a variety of forms, it is characterized by travel and tourism as below:

• Minimizes negative economic, environmental and social impacts;
• Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;
• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life changes;
• Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;
• Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
• Is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

Behaviour can be more or less responsible and what is responsible in a particular place depends upon environment and culture.

What Travel Holidays committed for responsible tourism in Odisha-

• We provide sustainable alternative sources of livelihood for the erstwhile reformed poachers and their families.
• We retain the core objective of involving the past poachers and hunters in income generating by engaging them as local guide  and tour escort or boatman

• We support local craftsmen, weavers, dancers, musicians and performance artists to    maintain their traditional cultures. We give special importance to revitalizing traditional    folk art forms that have been neglected and in danger of slipping into oblivion.

• We encourage local people to protect endangered species such as migratory birds in Mangalajodi Lake which happens to be extremely sensitive to outside disturbances. It continues to be a thriving breeding habitat and we have been trying our label best to protect it at all costs.
• We do not allow the tourists to disturb the nests and eggs, by boats or on foot, disturb the nesting birds in Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika National park and Rusikulya river where large numbers of Olive Ridley Turtle comes for mass nesting.
• We try our best to avoid plastics and encourage tourist not to use plastic tea pot, plastic bottles, polythene etc.

• We do not encourage Introduction of activities which disturbs the delicate ecological balance like excessive tourism which will disturb the ecological balance of the wetland habitat and also lead to overuse of resources
• We continue to discourage motor boats which not only makes noise pollution but also spill oil that endanger the eco tourism.
• For short distances we use bicycles. We like to avoid main roads where possible and    take the less travelled country roads through paddy fields and villages.

How to be a responsible tourist!

Here are just a few simple tips for you to consider to help make your trips more sustainable:

Stay several nights

Some locations have high day-tourism, whereby visitors populate the city just for the daytime and leave. Staying overnight helps support local hotels and similar establishments.

Support the local economy

Dining in local restaurants, purchasing locally made souvenirs and gifts, visiting the local markets and use a local tour guide… pretty much anything local! This way you know your money is being fed back into the community and to the people who are hosting you, not some unknown corporate organization.

Explore non-popular areas

One reason ‘over tourism’ occurs is due to people wanting to see the same sights. When visiting cities there are stand-out attractions to visit – obviously you’ll want to see these and we want you to also – but think about the hidden gems that can be found off the beaten track.

Become a temporary local, not a tourist

• Adhere to local dress codes, particularly in religious places. The communities will have greater respect for you if you respect their beliefs and traditions.
• Always ask permission before you take someone’s photo, regardless of what amazing traditional garb they’re wearing, it’s only polite!
• Before you travel, educate yourself about the culture. Maybe learn a few words or phrases of their language; the locals will be impressed with your knowledge and interest and this could even be used as a haggling tool at the markets/shops.

Minimize transport

72% of tourism’s CO2 emissions are down to transport, so if possible explore places on foot and take advantages of cheap public buses/trains or more local inventive modes such as tuk-tuk or cycle rickshaw

Don’t purchase endangered species produce

This includes crocodile skin goods, bush meat and tortoiseshell to name a few. The demand for these products supports wildlife crime, illegal trade and the deterioration of species populations across the globe.

You may be interested in seeing the work we have done with WDC in conserving whales and dolphin or reading up on ethical safaris?

Avoid taking ‘natural souvenirs’

The idea of owning a piece of the Great Wall of China or shells from the Great Barrier Reef may be exciting to some, but not ethical or sustainable. You could be upsetting the natural ecosystem, or some foreign species might catch a ride back with you that will upset your home ecosystem! Stick to the local shops for souvenirs

Last but not least, one which we should all be doing anyway… don’t litter!

WHEN I TRAVEL………

• I buy locally made handicrafts
• I shop at local markets
• I eat at local restaurants
• I stay at home stays