Since our first treks in 2008, Adventure Club Treks has taken a severe stand in responsible travel and sustainability. We support the idea of "leave no trace and take only photographs" but also strive to develop a love for the area we are traveling. These are the fundamental pillars of sustainable travel. They support each other. Our goal is to offer an authentic vacation experience, which includes actual knowledge about the area and familiarity with locals. By doing so, we can maximize the positive effects and minimize the negative ones of tourism. We adhere strictly to the Norms of the International Porters Protection Group. (See their website www.ippg.net). Our guides and porters will provide flawless service to you while always putting your safety and protection as the priority. Our guides, porters, and accompanying staff all hail from the mountains, so they have a wealth of experience and First Aid training, with a focus on altitude problems. We will also share some tips on responsible travel that you should consider before you book your holiday. Traveling to new places is a passion for many people. People travel whenever they have the time, energy, and money. Over 1 billion people travel to other parts of the globe every year. New markets are constantly emerging due to the continuous growth in the consumer base. Tourism is unique because it sells a product not owned and shared by one person. It is essential to protect this fragile product. Tourism today is driven by price and margins.
The travel industry is overgrowing and significantly impacts the cultural assets, environment, social frameworks, and contamination. Unknowingly, the environment slowly depletes until it is destroyed. The sad thing is that the negative impacts of tourism are undeniable. Many tend to ignore this. Mountain trails are littered, and this is a sad fact. Both consumers and business developers are responsible for protecting the environment. The discussion is never-ending on how consumers and business developers can collaborate to minimize adverse environmental impacts. The traveler community is also concerned about their choices' environmental and cultural impact.
Responsible Travel/ Tourism was introduced to reduce the negative impact on the environment. In some ways, Responsible tourism is similar to Ecotourism. It is based on dealing with society, the environment, and the economy. Sustainable tourism aims to minimize the negative impacts of the travel industry while maximizing the positive ones. Responsible tourism is a way to travel that is both educational and fun and also beneficial for the people of the country you are visiting. It is also suitable for the community and the society.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the travel industry could focus on:
- Maintain basic environmental procedures, and assist with regular legacy and biodiversity monitoring.
- Respect the social-cultural authenticity of host networks. Monitor their social legacy, customs, and living qualities.
- Assure reasonable and long-term monetary tasks. Give financial benefits to all partners, which are genuinely dispersed.
Principles of Responsible Tourism
The World Wide Fund for Nature and Tourism Concern (1991) plots ten standards for the travel industry. Below are the plots:
- Use resources wisely. It is essential to protect and use resources, both natural and cultural.
- Reduce over-use and waste. Reduced over-utilization of resources and waste reduces costs for repairing long-term environmental damage and improves tourism quality.
- Maintenance of biodiversity. For sustainable tourism, it is essential to maintain and promote diverse natural, social, and cultural diversity over the long term.
- Incorporating tourism in planning. Tourism development that is integrated into national and local strategic plans and undertakes environmental impact assessments increases tourism's long-term viability.
- Supporting local economies. Supporting local economies.
- Participation of local communities. Contributing to the local communities.
- Consultation with stakeholders and the general public. Suppose the travel industry, local networks, foundations, and associations can work together and solve expected irreconcilable situations. In that case, they must counsel each other.
- Staff training. Staff preparation which integrates sustainable tourism in work rehearsals, along with the recruitment of personnel at every level, improves the product and nature of tourism.
- Tourism marketing independently. Information marketing that is responsible and full increases customer satisfaction and respect for destinations' natural, cultural, and social environment.
- Research. The industry must conduct continuous research and assessments using data collection and analysis to solve problems and benefit consumers, destinations, and the industry.
Conclusion:
Responsible tourism is an innovative approach to growing the travel industry. It considers the future and not just what is happening now. It also mitigates negative impacts from environmental and social factors. The sustainable tourism industry is closely linked to other structures in the travel industry, such as Ecotourism and responsible tourism. For being responsible, three factors are essential: Social impacts, environmental effects, and social impact must all be considered. Adventure Club Trek commits to implementing and following the principles of sustainable travel in all tour and trekking programs.
