A Maasai woman with camels. The camels enable the Maasai to survive in their harsh, dry environment by providing draft power, portage, and milk. Photo Darcy Kiefel / copyright Heifer International. |
“The golden rule is more and more recognized as the first rule of travel,” Clay Hubbs told Ron Mader in an interview several years ago. Treating others the way you wish to be treated is the basic premise of responsible travel. Tourism is one of the world’s most powerful catalysts for change, and it has tremendous power to impact people and places. In fashioning this year’s directory and updating the work pioneered by Transitions Abroad contributing editor and author of Rethinking Travel and Tourism Deborah McLaren, we were delighted (and a bit overwhelmed) by the growing number of resources for travelers seeking practical tips on where to go and (just as importantly) how. Perhaps “responsible tourism” has reached a tipping point.
To improve this year’s Responsible Travel Guide, Planeta.com and Transitions Abroad surveyed responsible travel organizations and companies about the information and services they provide for travelers. We also asked how well these leaders walk their talk. We were impressed by many exemplary practices—from operations that utilize alternative energies; to employees who bicycle to work, volunteer their time, and donate to good causes; to stringent recycling and paperless policy practices. Many of the organizations we reviewed also have won awards for advancing responsible travel.
The resources that follow will not only deepen your commitment to traveling in a meaningful way, but they also will further equip you with knowledge and understanding to build a better world through better travel. As we wrote in the Responsible Travel Handbook , “Whether you are traveling on your own or arranging travels for others—the Earth is your homeland. Give it the care and respect it deserves; learn about its environment and geography; spend time getting to know its people and their art, culture, history, and livelihoods. While you derive pleasure, knowledge, and understanding from your encounters, hold close the importance of preserving these treasures for those who may follow in your footsteps.”
—Ron Mader (Planeta.com) and Sherry Schwarz (Transitions Abroad)
|
Responsible Travel and Ecotourism
