1. Responsible Tourism - THE WAY FORWARD
2. Responsible Tourism - OUR POLICY
3. Responsible Tourism - OUR CONTRIBUTION
4. Responsible Tourism - OUR GUIDELINES; YOUR CHOICE
5. Responsible Tourism - YOUR IDEAS
6. Responsible Tourism - SOME USEFUL CONTACTS

Tourism is the second largest, and perhaps the most rapidly growing, industry in the world and wildlife holidays, the area in which Naturetrek has specialised since 1987, is one of the fastest growing components of it. As part of this rapid development there has been recent, and increasing, concern and recognition that tourism can adversely affect the culture and natural environment of the host country. However, the assessment and reduction of these negative impacts is complex since there are so many countries and operators involved, and such a wide range of tourist requirements on the one hand, and local needs on the other. There is also a need to appreciate the great many positive benefits that tourism can bring, particularly to developing countries and to local/rural communities, and for tour operators to focus on, and maximise these.

When developed in an appropriate and responsible way, tourism not only has a very positive contribution to make to local economies, but also greatly benefits conservation... of wildlife, habitats, landscapes, monuments, towns, villages and cities! For example, by taking tourists to a country to see its wildlife, not only are a range of local employment opportunities created in an area that might otherwise be bypassed by them, but the association between protecting wildlife and a healthier economy indicates to both local people and national government alike the importance of conservation, and the great potential of national parks and wildlife reserves.

Clearly, there is an obvious need for all of us working in the industry to ensure that such positive aspects of tourism are developed, and all negative aspects reduced or avoided, by developing a "responsible" approach to tourism which contributes to the long-term future of a country's wildlife, people, culture and heritage. As part of this growing concern, today's tour operators are increasingly recognising the need for greater transparency and accountability which can be aided by the provision of a company statement or policy on Responsible Tourism. To date, there are no universal standards for a Responsible Tourism Policy although there are several bodies (including the United Nations, World Travel Organisation, WWF, Tourism Concern, CERT, Tearfund and AITO) which offer advice to travellers and guidelines for tour operators. It is ultimately up to each individual tour operator to design a Responsible Tourism Policy of their own that sets attainable standards for staff and clients alike.

Naturetrek regards the development of a detailed Responsible Tourism Policy by every tour operator as an essential step forward. The following information details our contribution to, and involvement with, the movement towards Responsible Tourism to date. You will find below, firstly Naturetrek's contribution and policy, and secondly, our recommendations to you, our customer (the Tourist!).

To focus, particularly, on visiting national parks, wildlife reserves and wilderness areas which, by and large, do not benefit from the rewards of mass market tourism. To minimise environmental damage by exploring in small groups and, as much as possible, on foot.

Responsible Tourism and the Naturetrek 'raison d'etre' are, in many regards, intertwined. With all Naturetrek tours escorted by at least one expert naturalist with an inevitable concern for conservation of habitats and species, and the holidays appealing almost exclusively to like-minded wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, the need to actively push a policy of Responsible Tourism, let alone to market on this front, has not previously been a priority. Essentially, Naturetrek's founders, staff and tour leaders are naturalists and conservationists turned tour operators; not the other way around! The biographies of these key staff and tour leaders may be found on the Naturetrek website (www.naturetrek.co.uk); combining between them a fascinating and unrivalled range of commitments and achievements in the fields of wildlife, conservation, environmental science, ecology, biology, etc. One member of our staff, Maryanne Mills, devotes her time to the role of Naturetrek's Responsible Tourism Officer. She ensures that the company keeps abreast of 'RT' developments and standards within the industry, and that Naturetrek remains fully committed to the role that Responsible Tourism must play within the travel industry today, making as full a contribution as possible.

The fact that our business revolves, almost exclusively, around sending wildlife enthusiasts to the world's national parks, wildlife reserves and wilderness areas, supporting locally-owned hotels, lodges and the local guides and other staff in these regions, encourages (we hope!) locals and national governments alike to value and protect these unique habitats and their wildlife. Other aspects of the style of a Naturetrek holiday also allow us, hopefully, to minimise damaging environmental impact. Notably, our operation of small groups (4-16, average 10 clients); our preference for exploration on foot, rather than vehicle, wherever possible; our use of local naturalists (where possible, rather than imported guides), and other local guiding and support staff on most holidays; our preference for small, locally owned, specialist agents/ground operators with a wildlife/conservation bias and sympathy; our ensuring benefit, and employment opportunities, to local communities, so important when developing wildlife tourism in remote areas where Western tourists have been previously unknown (ie. parts of Nepal, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, Ethiopia, etc.); our contributing financially to local projects in the areas visited rather than broad scale environmental/community schemes; our working with conservation organisations (notably the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Butterfly Conservation, RSPB and BirdLife International) to develop and expand wildlife tourism into new areas of the world in which the species diversity and habitat value might otherwise go unrecognised locally.

However, in encouraging and sending Naturetrek customers overseas, we cannot escape the most damaging of all the adverse impacts that tourism has upon the world's environment, namely the emission of greenhouse gases produced by the flight to and from the destination. Yet, we can try to off-set these emissions and, to do this, Naturetrek has teamed up with the innovative company, Climate Care, offering each client the opportunity to mitigate his/her contribution to global warming by investing in a range of projects that reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. Alternatively, you might choose to contribute to a similar scheme operated by the charity Friends of Conservation. They offer an easy, on-line donor scheme to off-set carbon emissions, guaranteeing that 100% of the donation is passed to one of a choice of beneficiaries/projects. Just log on to www.friendsofconservation.org.uk/min

Further, Naturetrek has recently focused on the development and marketing of holidays that do not involve flights, notably through the use of Eurostar services to European destinations and expansion of our programme of wildlife breaks within the British Isles.

A more beneficial by-product of Naturetrek's operation of wildlife tours arises on account of the company's need to advertise in wildlife and conservation magazines worldwide to generate business. Of a spend of approximately £100,000 per annum, a large part is spent with such notable conservation organisations and charities as the RSPB, the RHS, Plantlife, the Wildlife Trusts, and numerous other smaller publications distributed by wildlife charities.

Naturetrek operates a wide range of tours on behalf of conservation organisations, donating 10% of the income from these to conservation causes promoted by the organisation. For example, our annual Tiger and Orang-utan tours on behalf of the EIA (the Environmental Investigation Agency) have raised £18,761 for the EIA's work for the conservation of these two endangered species. Similar projects include fund-raising tours for Butterfly Conservation, and the BirdLife International and the RSPB Bird Fair causes.

In 2002 Naturetrek joined forces with the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP), putting paying customers onto a research vessel in the Bay of Biscay to fund key research into the huge numbers and variety of whales, dolphins and other marine-life now realised to be using the Bay (increasingly regarded as one of the most important regions of the world's oceans). The aim of the research is to provide specific data on the abundance, variety and ecology of the whales, dolphins, seabirds, sharks, turtles, sunfish and other marine-life in the Bay, in order to publicise its presence and international significance, and to ensure that it may be suitably protected from the growing threat of damaging human activities in the Bay.

As associate sponsor of the annual British Birdwatching Fair for 5 years, Naturetrek has donated at least £5,000 each year (nearly £30,000) to the worldwide conservation causes supported by the Fair. The Fair, the world's largest gathering of birdwatchers and naturalists each year, is also a major conservation fund-raiser, donating around £100,000 each year to a choosen area of worldwide ornithological importance identified by BirdLife International. Areas chosen over the years have included the Spanish Steppes, Moroccan wetlands, Spain's Coto Donana, the Polish marshlands, Romania's Danube Delta, and, by way of further contribution Naturetrek has offered tours to many of these regions in conjunction with The British Birdwatching Fair and BirdLife International to enable naturalists the chance to see at first hand these highly important and restricted areas and the conservation work carried out in them by BirdLife staff and their local partners. Further, on each of these tours 10% of the tour cost has been donated to the project visited.

Most recently, Naturetrek joined forces with BirdLife to raise the profile of, and raise funds for, the conservation of Madagascar’s fragile Mahavavy Delta Wetlands, an area under continual threat from draining, agriculture, hunting and over-fishing. This is the only site in the country supporting all of western Madagascar ’s endemic wetland bird species, amongst them the critically endangered Sakalava Rail, a bird seen by fewer than 10 living ornithologists! To assist, as well as donating £5,000 in our capacity as associate sponsor of the Fair, which raised funds exclusively to enable BirdLife to launch its 'Madagascar Wetlands Conservation Programme' to protect the Mahavavy Wetlands, we further worked to bring wildlife tourism – and much needed finance – into the region by organising the first, expeditionary tour there in November 2004 (which was successful in seeing the Rail!). This tour brought employment and financial benefit to the local community, plus an additional £2,536 (10% of tour proceeds) which was gifted to the Programme.

In 2002 Naturetrek joined in partnership with Butterfly Conservation, the highly regarded British butterfly conservation organisation. As part of this partnership Naturetrek agreed to donate £1,000 per annum to Butterfly Conservation, joining its corporate sponsorship scheme at the highest level (the 'Purple Emperor' scheme), and becoming the first company to do so. Naturetrek further agreed to promote Butterfly Conservation membership to those on its mailing list through regular Naturetrek newsletter promotions and distribution of BC membership flyers. It was further agreed that Naturetrek would promote and market annually a selection of butterfly tours, donating 10% of the turnover generated to Butterfly Conservation, and paying for a year's Butterfly Conservation membership for all clients not already members. As at November 2004, this partnership has benefited Butterfly Conservation to the tune of £7,826.

Naturetrek established this Appeal Fund seven years ago in order to encourage donations from clients interested in saving the Bald Ibis, the most threatened species of bird in the Western Palaearctic region ( Europe , north Africa and western Asia ). The plight of this magnificent bird, down to just 200 surviving individuals in recent years, has been the focus of this fund-raising initiative, funds from which have most recently been used for the purchase of a freezer (essential for storing dead birds for autopsy and other vital research!). Updates on the Bald Ibis situation (now much improved), and the gathering success of researchers in saving it from extinction, are included in Naturetrek newsletters, together with further appeals for funds needed.

In 2004 Naturetrek began talks with the Zoological Society of London, BirdLife International and Bird Conservation Nepal, with a view to financing a ‘last ditch’ attempt to save the critically endangered Indian White-backed Vulture, and India ’s other vulture species, from extinction through the establishment of captive breeding programmes.

Naturetrek makes regular donations to conservation causes around the world. These have included US$4,000 in 2000 to CECIA (BirdLife International's Ecuadorian partner) to enable the purchase of 35 hectares of very valuable Ecuadorian rainforest near Mindo, in Guajalito. Guajalito sweeps up to the crest of the Western Cordillera and descends through upper tropical elevations and a variety of forest types. Consequently a particularly broad spectrum of birds is present, comprising some of the most spectacular species to be found on the Andean slopes. Unfortunately, this area is under threat from the Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline. The purchase of this land has helped to prevent the destruction of pristine rainforest and to provide an opportunity for our clients to visit an area of tropical cloudforest classified as being amongst one of the most important ecosytems in the world. This donation following the gift to CECIA of $700 in 1999 for the creation of a 'Hummingbird Trail and Garden' in the biologically significant reserve of Mindo. The reserve's 19,200 hectares have long been regarded as one of the best birdwatching areas in the whole of South America , home to 450 species of birds, which include 49 species of hummingbird, including six that are globally threatened.

Other beneficiaries have included the Spanish conservation organisation, SEO, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organisation, Bird Conservation Nepal, plus the many potential wildlife enthusiasts in developing countries to whom we have donated and distributed field guides, binoculars and telescopes with the aim of promoting a love of wildlife and passion for conservation. Encouragingly, some of these young naturalists now not only work as specialist naturalist guides for Naturetrek and other companies, but are also at the forefront of budding conservation organisations within their countries, and working in schools to promote wildlife and habitat conservation.

In the early years, with limited resources, Nepal and Ethiopia were the focus of our assistance. In Ethiopia , Naturetrek focused on the donation and supply of Collins Field Guides to the enthusiastic but ill-equipped local staff of Ethiopian National Parks, whilst in both Ethiopia and Nepal we donated new binoculars and telescopes to budding naturalists, and helped distribute second-hand equipment provided by British clients and bird clubs.

Naturetrek is a pioneering Corporate Sponsor of a wide range of conservation organisations. We became the first tour operator to become one of BirdLife International's World Environment Partners, and became the first sponsor of Butterfly Conservation under the 'Purple Emperor scheme'. Other charities of which we are a corporate sponsor include the highly respected Oriental Bird Club and the African Bird Club, both of which encourage and contribute to invaluable research and conservation work in their respective areas. For example, a Naturetrek contribution of £500 was spent on research work by the Indian ornithologist Dr Choudhary into the endangered grassland birds of a little-known reserve in north-eastern India.

In Nepal , Naturetrek inspired and assisted local naturalists in the development of the country's first bird club, originally known as the Nepal Bird Club, and now known as BCN (Bird Conservation Nepal). BCN, now a partner organisation of BirdLife International, is committed to conservation, education, recording, research and community involvement in saving Nepal 's threatened birdlife and habitats. With Hem Sagar Baral, Nepal's foremost conservationist and longstanding Naturetrek tour leader, Naturetrek both planned and funded the first ever BCN newsletter, and we have continued to sponsor this regular and successful newsletter.

One of the finest and most important wetland wildlife reserves in Asia , Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was created largely to protect Nepal 's last remaining population of wild Water Buffaloes, but is of even greater importance to migratory birds and endangered grassland birds and mammals. In the early 1990s, it was neglected by the tourism it deserved and not regarded nationally as a tourism destination of any note. This situation has since changed dramatically owing to Naturetrek's inspiration for, and funding of, Koshi Tappu's first luxury tented camp. Naturetrek's single-handed marketing of this camp, and the attractions of the Reserve, have - ten years later - put it firmly on the map of the must-go-to destinations of naturalists and birdwatchers worldwide. So much so, that there are now several tourist camps/lodges hosting tourists in a reserve that could so easily have had no tourist appeal and benefits at all. The encouragement and training of local staff and expert naturalist guides, has been extended to include school and village visits, emphasising the benefits of birds, wildlife, conservation and tourism for all.

In Summary

Naturetrek's financial contribution to conservation causes has increased over the years with the growth of our business, and stands at a total of around £110,000 contributed over the years.

(Some suggestions on ways in which you may travel as a Responsible Tourist).

Air travel is one of the major causes of global warming and most holidays involve flying.
We encourage you to negate your share of the carbon dioxide emissions created by your international and domestic flights by making a small donation to Climate Care (www.co2.org). Climate Care offer you the chance to off-set your flights' damaging contribution to global warming by investing, on your behalf, in a range of renewable energy, energy efficient and rainforest reforestation projects that reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The reduction achieved through your financial contribution to these projects has been carefully calculated to match your share of the carbon dioxide emissions from the flights used on your holiday, making your air journey carbon neutral. Alternatively, you might choose to contribute to a similar scheme operated by the charity Friends of Conservation. They offer an easy, on-line donor scheme to off-set carbon emissions, guaranteeing that 100% of the donation is passed to one of a choice of beneficiaries/projects. Just log on to www.friendsofconservation.org.uk/min.

Watch and photograph wildlife with minimum obtrusion, and respect the viewing instructions of your guide and tour leader. Remember that all wildlife sightings are a bonus; none are guaranteed! The removal of any specimen – whether plant, seed or animal – from its natural environment is not acceptable.

A wildlife holiday with Naturetrek is, first and foremost, an opportunity to experience important wildlife habitats, not a species shopping trip with list in hand! If you don't see your target species, your visit (through park fees, local employment opportunities, etc.) will nonetheless be supporting the preservation of the habitat on which it relies, and further, you will have a very good reason for a return visit!

Remember, our so-called 'high standards' have come largely at the expense of our environment. If you cannot accept and enjoy the different standards and cultures of less affluent countries, you should stay at home!

Before travelling, read widely to familiarise yourself with your destination's history, background, culture, customs, standards, etc. The well prepared tourist is likely to have a fulfilling holiday, with minimal problems and regrets.

Wherever possible Naturetrek aims to use small, locally owned and managed accommodation (ideally locally constructed in a traditional style) serving traditional home-cooked meals. Sometimes such accommodation cannot match the multi-national comfort offered by larger hotels. However, such smaller hotels do both minimise environmental impact as well as support local communities, and their styles, culture and traditions. In choosing your holiday destination, please do consider your accommodation in terms of minimising environmental impact.

Your Dress

Dress practically and conservatively, paying particular attention to observe local dress codes to ensure that you are not offending your host country's cultural or religious beliefs (particularly in Hindu and Muslim countries). If in doubt, cover up (you'll also avoid sunburn, insect bites and consequential ill-health!).

Please remember to use your local guide and driver to the full. You are paying for them (and perhaps tipping them if they are good); allow them to shine and revel in enthusing about their country. Get to known them, ask them questions, show your appreciation, and make their job fun. We reticent Brits are not always the best at this; make an effort and you will get value for money from your holiday… and perhaps a lifelong friend!

Above all, by showing your interest in, and your appreciation of, your host country's wildlife and natural environment to your guide(s), driver and other local staff, you are actively developing in them a pride, and interest in their environment which bodes well for its future preservation by these local people and, ultimately, their governments.

Be sensitive to local conditions, laws and customs, asking your local guide if in doubt. Seek advice and their permission before photographing local people, thus showing respect and awareness of another's culture and beliefs. At all times avoid the obvious display of cameras and other expensive items; you'll find more in common with the locals, and avoid becoming the victim of theft.

Do not enter restricted, dangerous, sensitive or private areas. If in doubt, seek your guide's advice.

Be selective. Buy locally made goods only, thus encouraging a pride in traditional culture and crafts and discouraging the import of other goods. Avoid souvenirs sold to the detriment of wildlife and the environment (shells, corals, skins, ivory, hardwood products, etc). Ensure a fair price when bargaining, taking advice from your guide. Bargain hard by all means, to maintain respect, but above all retain a measure of common sense and fairness; remember that, ultimately, it is your salesman's family that is going to be very much more disadvantaged by a low price than you (or yours).

Handouts of sweets, pens, etc. undermine pride and cause tooth decay. Donate instead to schools, or local conservation or charitable organisations, details of which we can advise.

Don't leave litter. Consider very carefully what you really need to take on your holiday before you travel and take care to leave at home all unnecessary packaging and wrapping. Take home with you all your non-biodegradable rubbish (particularly plastics, used batteries, etc.) where it can be more reliably disposed of. Carry a lighter or matches to burn all toilet tissue and other paper waste created during your holiday.

Use environmentally friendly shampoos, detergents, etc., and keep them out of the rivers!

Conserve energy by turning off lights, air-conditioning, heating, etc. when not required. Minimise your requirement for clean towels, napkins and sheets. In many countries water is very limited; minimum usage conserves a precious resource. If possible purify water with purification tablets rather than by boiling.

Leave only friendship behind in the countries you visit. Communicate with local people at all times in a friendly manner, and make an effort to learn a few words and phrases of the local language. Accept local foods or drinks when offered them, and indicate to your hosts your interest in, and support for, their wildlife, landscapes and culture to promote their value both to local people and ultimately their governments.

Read widely about your destination's wildlife and conservation priorities before your departure. Such wildlife conservation organisations as BirdLife International, the Oriental Bird Club, WWF, and the Environmental Investigation Agency (see addresses at end of text, or their websites) are worth contacting, or even joining. More importantly, at the end of your holiday, become an overseas member of your host country's bird club or conservation organisation, and continue your interest in that country.

In virtually every country through which you choose to travel you will find a practice or policy (perhaps several!) which offends you. It might be a country's abuse of human rights, nuclear testing programme, whaling, slavery, trade in endangered species, bull-fighting, the slaughter of migrant birds, deforestation, or fox-hunting. The chances are that they offend us too; but were we to boycott travel to that particular country (as you might wish us to), we would, frankly, have no destinations left to offer, such have been the demands upon us over the years! Instead, we choose to make no such judgements; it is you, after all, who make your own choice of holiday destination. Further, in all these countries, live many people who share your concerns. They would much rather you visit; to lend them support, to understand more fully the problem, and to protest more rationally, on your return home, to the offending nation's government, tourist board, embassy, etc.

On returning from your travels, do let us hear your thoughts on any environmental, cultural or economic impacts of the trip that you think we should know about, also of any practices that you observed and considered beneficial, or otherwise, to a country's wildlife.

Should you have other ideas that would enhance this code of conduct, we should welcome them.

Finally, do take time, before and after your tour, to reflect on how the culture and wildlife of your chosen holiday destination can benefit in the short and long term from your visit. The role of tour operators and travellers today has never been of more importance in contributing to the long-term future of the world's natural environment.