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Responsible Travel for Gap Year for Grown Ups
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Responsible Travel - What it means to us
Over the last thirty years, many terms have been used to express what is now more often referred to as ‘Responsible Travel', or ‘Responsible Tourism'. Such terms have also included ‘sustainable tourism', ‘ethical travel', ‘ecotourism', to name but a few. The definition of some of these terms hasn't always been clear, and a lot of companies have jumped on the bandwagon, paying lip service to terms like ecotourism, merely in order to entice possible travellers and future customers. Consequently, these terms have become meaningless.
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Responsible Travel (or Tourism) was a term coined to describe a set of principles that all tourism operators should abide by. Because of the very nature of the volunteer projects, travel experiences and programmes that Gap Year for Grown Ups provides, we fully meet these key principles of responsible travel and we are committed to making sure they are upheld. Gap Year for Grown Ups is in fact one of the original providers of responsible travel/ethical travel ideas and has been providing ethical travel possibilities for career break travellers for the last five years. |
The main principles of responsible travel can be categorised under three key headings:
Environmental
Travel that aims to make positive contributions to the conservation of human and natural heritages, wilderness and biodiversity, along with minimising harmful environmental impacts.
Social/Cultural
Travel that wants to respect traditions and culture as well as encouraging authentic interaction and a enhanced understanding between native populations and travellers.
Economic
Travel that helps ensure fair financial benefits for the host community. Money spent by travellers helps to fund community projects, or initiatives, along with training locals. It also remains in the community via locally owned accommodation, staff and services.
Your Responsibility to Travel Responsibly!
While we play our part to ensure that the programmes and travel experiences that we send you onto comply with Responsible Travel principles, part of the responsibility also lays with you, as the traveller. By adhering to basic guidelines you can enjoy your trip abroad and simultaneously minimise the social and environmental pressures of your travel.
Climate Care
The major environmental impact of your trip overseas will be from your flights.
See our Climate Change page for details on how to reduce this impact. |
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