Sustainability Handbook

Adventure Alternative

Sustainability Handbook

ADVENTURE ALTERNATIVE UK PO Box 14, Portstewart, Northern Ireland, BT55 7WS UK +44 (0) 28708 31258 ROI: 04870 831258 office@AdventureAlternative.com www.AdventureAlternative.com

Sustainability Handbook

Index Introduction .............................................................................................................. 2 Before you go ........................................................................................................... 5 Social & Cultural Issues .......................................................................................... 7 Health & Safety ....................................................................................................... 7 The Political Situation.............................................................................................. 9 Human Rights ....................................................................................................... 10 Religion ................................................................................................................. 12 Clothing ................................................................................................................. 13 Food & Drink ......................................................................................................... 15 Buying Local ......................................................................................................... 16 Supply Chain......................................................................................................... 18 Fair Employment ................................................................................................... 19 Porters .................................................................................................................. 20 Tipping & Begging ................................................................................................. 21 Photography.......................................................................................................... 23 Environmental Issues ............................................................................................ 25 Climate Change .................................................................................................... 25 Energy................................................................................................................... 30 Water .................................................................................................................... 31 Waste .................................................................................................................... 33 Wildlife .................................................................................................................. 35 Fire & Campfires ................................................................................................... 37 Pollution & Harmful Substances ............................................................................ 39 Back at Home ......................................................................................................... 40 Moving Mountains .................................................................................................. 41 Voluntourism .......................................................................................................... 43 Future Thoughts ..................................................................................................... 44 Informative Links.................................................................................................... 45 Affiliations ............................................................................................................... 46 1

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Introduction by Gavin Bate This Handbook has been compiled to help you to help us carry out our commitment to being a responsible tour operator. I hope you will keep it with you and have a read, and talk to our staff about it, in order to give us your feedback at the end of your trip.

The aim is to outline our travel philosophy whilst facilitating your understanding of sustainable tourism and proposing practical guidelines to help you achieve it. We will also offer a snapshot of some of the issues inherent to the destinations that we work in.

Who cares?

Many people who buy holidays nowadays expect the company they book with to take a care for the destination they send people to, to interact with local communities and offer an equitable commercial partnership between all its stakeholders.

Unfortunately this is not always the case. The waters have also been muddied by opaque and overused terminology like 'responsible', 'ethical', 'sustainable', 'eco' and so on, which have become hackneyed phrases, often discredited and derided. The demand for cheap mass tourism is still a dominant force so therefore it’s easy to dismiss the manner in which tourism is implemented and sold.

Yet slowly, a desire for 'ethical' business practices has entered the mainstream consciousness, and that includes travel and tourism. There has been a move away from materialism and outright commercialism, replaced by a search for integrity and responsibility.

Historically this is not a new phenomenon, but the circumstances have changed (not least the online world in which we now live). The methodology may not be there yet, but we can no longer afford to ignore ‘ethics’, even when we're on holiday.

Whatever word you want to use to describe it, travel companies are being held to account by the consumer for their actions and the whole marketplace is refocusing its priorities. At the very least, there is an expectation to be ‘doing business in a good way’ and the current generation is switched on, connected and empowered.

Everything is up for scrutiny and everybody is accountable.

For me, there was never a choice about caring or not caring. I started my company when I ran a few holidays for school groups to Kenya to run rehabilitation camps for street kids, whilst also having an adventure in Africa. This was before gap years became common parlance.

I never thought of myself as ‘responsible’ or ‘sustainable’, or anything really. I was motivated by my experiences there, in Nepal and other countries, and by the people I met. Like most small independent tour operators, there was a personal story that began the journey to where the company is now; I was deeply influenced by social inequity and exploitation, and the word ‘alternative’ in my company name was to represent an alternative business model which strives to be more equitable and fairer. Ultimately it’s about the allocation of money, and I think I have proved over the last few decades that profit and shared value are not mutually exclusive.

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As a tour operator, I also wanted to provide an authentic experience which was safe and professional and fun...and responsible. That word means a lot, from providing honest descriptions of my trips to financial protection; comprehensive insurance; trained and experienced staff; properly vetted suppliers; risk assessments and back up procedures; and a management strategy that would make the company prosper and grow.

But I also feel a responsibility to every person who plays a part in my trips, even if they are semi-literate and poor, and to all the potential beneficiaries of the tourist dollar along the supply chain, plus the people whose livelihood and way of life might suffer from tourism. Bringing in visitors does not necessarily mean instant benefit; in fact the opposite is very often true.

Part of that responsibility is reflected in our membership of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (known as AITO). The 'I' could easily stand for ‘Inspirational’ and ‘Influential’. As a trade organisation it has fought for 35 years to represent companies like my own which sell specialised, personalised holidays to a niche market. As a consumer facing association it is a kite mark for quality, assurance and expertise. The pillars of membership include compliance with a Quality Charter and a Sustainability Code of Conduct which is audited by a committee of which I am a member.

Why should I care?

It may now be becoming apparent – you have a lot of power! Your choices as a consumer can significantly impact upon the development of communities and the conservation of culture and natural resources. So please do care, it helps us make a difference in the following ways: • • •

Investing in local enterprises and creating jobs.

Placing an economic value on natural and cultural resources, encouraging conservation measures by governments and local communities.

Preserving locations and cultures so that future generations will be fortunate enough to experience them, just as you have!

Thank you,

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Sustainable tourism – what is it?

The myriad of terms used within the sustainability debate often serve to weaken people’s understanding. Whether you hear the name sustainable; responsible; ethical; low-impact; eco; green; or environmentally-friendly, these types of tourism all work within an ethical framework or a business model that takes into account more than just the balance sheet.

There are three equally important pillars that make up the sustainability debate and which tour companies can invest in: the environment; society; and the economy. It is a model that focuses on long-term benefits for local communities through the conservation of their culture, livelihoods and the natural environment.

With a large number of outbound tours that interact with fragile environments and cultures, it is fair to assume that educating tourists will become increasingly important if sustainable tourism is to be achieved. With effective education, tour operators and guides have the capacity to positively change consumer behaviour, during the trip and on their return.

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Before You Go Check the FCO’s up-to-date ‘know before you go’ travel advice. These countryspecific guides will advise you on matters of health, safety, natural disasters, transport, entry requirements, local laws, customs and political stability.

If you are a British national, you can sign up to FCO’s ‘LOCATE’ service. This will give you access to assistance in emergency situations: www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal Vaccinations and Travel Health You will need to visit your GP prior to your trip to discuss vaccinations and prescriptions. Make sure that you get vaccinated in good time!We have a contract with Interhealth in London who can provide expert travel advice on travel in any country. Benefits include free travel consultations and health advice from a medical team - Tel: 020 7902 9033/E-mail: doctors@interhealth.org.uk For urgent medical advice on serious health issues call this 24hr hotline: 079 7325 0026 Access to our own online travel health advice centre can be accessed online through the ‘before you leave’ section on our website.

Insurance We encourage people to buy insurance as soon as flights and trips have been booked in case there is a need for cancellation. Take your papers with you and make sure that at least one person traveling with you knows where it is in case somebody else needs to make a call for you.

At home Save energy: o

Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater.

o

Turn water heater to lowest setting.

o

Turn water off at outside connection to prevent flooding should a pipe break.

o

TVs, PCs, light fittings and other electrical devices should be unplugged; appliances drain energy even when they aren’t on!

o

Turn icemaker off to prevent flooding should it break while you're away.

Put deliveries and subscriptions on hold – newspapers, magazines, milk and other fresh produce.

What will you pack to avoid extra weight on airplanes or other forms of transport?

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Leave behind any unnecessary packaging to avoid leaving waste in your destination.

Mark your bags clearly with your own name and address and the contacts for Adventure Alternative (Borneo) which will be advised prior to departure Have you remembered your..?

Passport – many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6months from the date of travel, and that it’s in decent condition. It’s always wise to carry a copy of your passport separately, or give it to a travel buddy. We also advise you to carry another form of photographic ID. Travel Funds - In case of loss or any other incident, we recommend that you carry a mixture of the following: cash; debit card; prepaid credit card; and traveller’s cheques. Make sure you know what’s accepted in your host destination. Leave a copy of your card details/traveller cheque numbers at home.

Tickets - Boarding pass/proof of purchase/details of what to do upon arrival.

Prescriptions/medication – along with a doctor’s note, if possible.

Informative websites: We couldn’t cram all the information we wanted to into this guide. Here are some useful websites that can help you become the most responsible traveller that you can be: AA – for further details on our tours, guides and the countries you will be visiting.

Go Green Travel Green - extensive & practical travel advice Sustainable Tourism (.net) - guide to being a responsible traveller TIES - learn more about your destination, find responsible tour operators, tips on how to be a responsible traveller.

World Travel Guide - World Travel Guide – country-by-country information Safe Travel (UK) - Travel advice by continent or country

Websites listing the most responsible goods on the market: Ethical Consumer - www.ethicalconsumer.org Ethical Superstore – www.ethicalsuperstore.com

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Health & Safety

We aim to reduce the risk to your health, and maintain your safety, as far as is practically possible. Each expedition we run has undergone a strict risk assessment test, and we are compliant with the BS8848 specification which is a new British standard for adventurous activities outside the UK. We provide extensive health and safety information to all clients before arrival incountry, but here are some health & safety vitals to ensure a healthy and happy trip.

Personal Safety Try and carry the minimum amount of cash and leave important documents in a safety deposit box at your accommodation. In instances where this is not possible, consider a waist wallet, designed to conceal valuables under clothes.

Respect local traditions by dressing appropriately.

If confronted, don’t resist. It’s safer to give up your valuables.

Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will leave you particularly vulnerable in unknown areas.

Don’t share, exchange or accept drinks off strangers.

If possible, don’t walk on your own at night.

Accommodation Lock doors, even when inside your room.

Ensure windows/patio doors are closed when leaving a room.

Be conscious of where you leave/store your key.

Avoid telling strangers where you are staying.

Food and Drink If buying bottled water, ensure the seal is intact.

Avoid ice in drinks.

Avoid food that has been rinsed with tap water.

Make sure food is properly cooked or reheated.

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Out and About Always wear a seatbelt!

Drink plenty of water!

Avoid being in the sun around the hottest part of the day (12pm-3pm).

Apply sun cream and reapply after swimming.

It’s just as important to protect yourself from the sun in cloudy weather, or in the snow!

Look out for relevant warning flags and signs, and follow them.

Some countries have ‘no go’ areas. Make sure you avoid them.

Animals Always wear insect repellent.

If you feel unwell after being bitten by an insect, seek medical advice.

If you have been bitten, disinfect and dress the wound and seek medical assistance.

Avoid direct contact with wild and stray animals.

Essential Items – First Aid Plasters or adhesive dressings Sun cream/block Insect repellent Antiseptic wipes/cream Water sterilisation tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Rehydration tablets/powders Painkillers Calamine lotion/antihistamine

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The Political Situation

Your first point of call for information regarding the political situation, safety and entry requirements of a country should be the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Their website has up-to-date information on political stability and travel restrictions by country. It is also possible to subscribe to email alerts for travel safety information

Be aware of the political situation before you go by checking FCO’s country-bycountry guide.

Don’t get caught up in protests. Demonstrations are usually peaceful and confined to certain areas. As interesting as they may be, find out where they are and avoid them!

Find out the address and telephone number of your embassy in the host destination.

Check-up on entry requirements and local laws, even if you have already visited the country, many regulations are subject to change, especially in developing countries.

Many locations are regarded as taboo travel destinations due to their political instability, human rights records and corruption. There are ethical implications involved when visiting any country. Ultimately, each individual traveller should address the consequences of visiting a location and consider ways by which any negative impacts can be minimised. By choosing local eateries, crafts and community-run attractions, money is more likely to be kept amongst locals rather than making its way into corrupt hands.

Further Insight: Nepal Many countries that we work in are in constant states of political flux. Strikes are a daily occurrence in Nepal. Although they are often peaceful demonstrations, as with many countries, there were violent acts in the lead up to the last general election in 2008.

In general these do not affect the tourist areas at all. It is obvious the moment you set foot in the mountain regions that none of these problems really impinge on the Himalayan experience.

Since the peace agreement in 2006, between Maoists and the government, tourist figures have been recovering and there have been many complaints from tourists that there are not enough flights into Nepal.

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Human Rights

Since its establishment in 1991, Adventure Alternative has had strong foundations in human rights issues. The company was founded upon the policy of supplying longterm, secure and rewarding employment for the local people in the areas we operate. Personal friendships are the basis of many jobs in the organisation, fostering a culture of trust.

We adhere to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and we do not 'greenwash' our credentials in order to fill the gap between policy and practice.

Adventure Alternative takes a comprehensive approach to human rights issues, including concerns around child and bonded labour; workplace health and safety; commercial exploitation of children; exploitation of migrant workers; discrimination and displacement of indigenous people and vulnerable groups.

We are aware of all the individuals involved in our supply chains, from drivers to hoteliers and porters, and we actively teach those people to be aware of their value in that chain.

Rights that we specifically identify and promote positively with our trips: 1. The right to health and wellbeing - we respect the right of our employees to have a quality of life and an individual choice which is not exploited by long hours, hard labour, low pay, lack of rest and an unhealthy environment.

2. The right to dignity, respect and privacy - we do not let our tourism consume the local communities where we visit, and we always work with the local elders and authorities to make sure that our presence there is accepted and wanted.

3. The rights of the child - we actively promote the development of the family unit, both in the company and in our charity Moving Mountains, and we provide counselling and resources to assist staff so that child care is available.

4. The right to work - we actively involved as many people as possible in becoming shareholders of the tourist equation and we do make sure that there is correct financial recompense and sharing in the economic, social and cultural benefits.

5. The right to leisure - all our staff in-country enjoy a good salary, plus training and proper contracts which identify their right to leave, paid holidays and rest time after a job.

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Further Insight: The Penan People With the increase in tourism to remote places, the importance of preserving and learning from the indigenous peoples across the globe has never been stronger.

The Penan People of the Sarawak region of North West Borneo face a continued struggle against deforestation and the loss of their native culture. The trips that we run in the region have been designed to help the communities help themselves, through sustainable tourism and education.

We do not run many trips to this region for fear of interfering with traditional community life in the jungle. Therefore, we accept a maximum number of 12 people and consult the Penan through the tourism process so that the trips are run on their terms.

Projects vary depending upon the needs of the Penan. Current developments include setting up tree nurseries to rehabilitate forest burnt from logging, also set to run as part of our carbon offsetting scheme. We are also in the process of building culturally-sensitive, traditional structures to meet the needs of future visitors.

We have built this trip purely out of the needs of the community, who came to us, and we envisage that this trip will use tourism to really help.

For more information on human rights issues: Tourism Concern’s ‘Putting Tourism to Rights’ campaign is calling upon the UK Government and other tourism stakeholders to ensure that local communities in tourism destinations are treated fairly and in line with national and international human rights regulations. For more information, visit: www.tourismconcern.org.uk/pttr Visit the Moving Mountainswebsite to find out more about our efforts to collaborate with the Penan people in Borneo. www.fairtourism.org raises awareness on human rights violations in the tourism industry, offering best-case and worst-case examples to help inform your holiday decisions.

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Religion

Travel often involves visiting holy sites, be it a temple, church, mosque, synagogue or shrine. Here are a few tips to help you maintain cultural sensitivity in holy places.

Do your research – we’re not saying read all of the religious scripts, but being aware of certain differences before you travel may help you avoid offending people.

Simple points, like being aware of the days that sacred places are closed to the public may help enhance your experience.

Cover up – different states of dress will be required for different sites, however, regardless of gender, exposed shoulders, chests, under arms and legs are usually frowned upon. Be observant; requirements will usually be clearly signposted.

Photography – again, regulations should be signposted, but do exercise caution.

Many sacred buildings charge for the use of a camera. Even if photography is allowed, don’t take photos of people in holy dress without asking.

Respect - you may not share their beliefs, you may even strongly disagree, but if you are going to visit a house of worship the least you can do is show respect.

Further Insight - Nepal Hinduism is the prominent religion, whilst Buddhism is also commonplace and helps to create the cultural fabric of Nepal. The two religions not only live peacefully sideby-side, but also share common beliefs and even places of worship.

Nepal is said to be the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. The main places connected to his life are important pilgrimage places for many Buddhists and Hindus.

Take off your shoes before entering a temple or someone’s house.

Don’t enter a temple wearing any items made of leather; cows are revered as sacred.

You may find that, in some cases, westerners are not allowed to enter Hindu places of worship.

Always ask permission before taking photos.

Don’t sit with your feet pointing towards someone, especially a lama or a monk.

Never touch the head of a Nepali.

Don’t throw rubbish into an open fire as they are thought of as sacred.

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Clothing

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money."

– Susan Heller In other words, when packing, be concise and practical. Read up on your destination and pack according to the time of year and activities you plan to do. Remember to be understanding of different cultures; take your cue from the locals and remember that dress will vary for entry into sacred buildings. In Zanzibar especially, it is important to dress modestly out of respect for Muslim beliefs.

Adventure Alternative organises trips to many conservative and traditional societies.

All persons should dress ‘modestly’; this is especially true of female visitors. In many areas keep your upper arms to the elbow and upper legs to the knee covered. Don’t expose your midriff and your neckline should not extend down more than a few inches. In Nepal, exposed shoulders are a sign of immorality, mostly for women who may attract unwanted attention from men. Remember: the ‘in’ thing back at home may not be appropriate for your host destination!

Travellers often find themselves in a trade-off situation – not wanting to attract unnecessary attention, grungy clothing is often the attire of choice, yet this may be seen as an insult to your host and the local community. For example, smart dress is a matter of pride in Kenya.

If your trip is a one-off and you don’t want to fork out on expensive specialist gear, consider renting fromExpedition Kit Hire. They offer a top quality clothing and equipment service to fit the demands of any expedition from Polar, high altitude, desert or tropical treks across the globe.

Informative Websites: Extensive guidelines on vital items necessary for all our trips, from rainforest expeditions to mountain journeys, can be found on the AA website.

What to Wear on Holiday (by country) -www.whattowearonholiday.com/ The Outdoor Shop -www.theoutdoorshop.com offers an extensive array of technical outdoor clothing and equipment.

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Safari Kit List Eva Muronji, our safari coordinator in Kenya, has suggested the following safari kit list: Clothing: Choose natural colours that blend in with the landscape, but not camouflage; in some countries you can be arrested for wearing military prints.

Avoid white clothing as it tends to get dirty easily in dry and dusty environments.

Materials that can ‘breathe’ – choose materials such as cotton and linen, and fine wools for cool evenings.

A pair of shorts, but not too short!

Long sleeves and trousers will give you additional protection from the sun, dust and insects.

A light rain jacket could be necessary.

If you are visiting some of the local villages then ladies should ensure that shoulders are covered and shorts are not too short, perhaps bring a sarong.

A cap or wide brim hat and a scarf can be useful as the terrain can be dusty.

Areas at higher altitude, such as Ngorongoro crater, can be cooler than the surrounding areas so a light jumper or jacket may be needed.

You will want good shoes for walking e.g. trekking boots or trainers along with more casual shoes, sandals and something you can wear in the shower or on rainy days. Don’t forget lightweight socks!

If you are on a lodge safari staying in a hotel you may also need a couple of smart outfits. Generally, the same rules apply, except you can use more colour variations, styles and fabric.

Conservative swimwear may be needed.

Other Items: Wet wipes

Journal

Camera, lens covers, filters & spare batteries

Sunscreen Medication if any

Memory cards

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Sunglasses

Sleeping bag and roll mat (if camping)

Mosquito repellent

Head torch

Anti-malarial

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Food & Drink Wherever possible, we aim to use local ingredients to make traditional dishes. One of travel’s biggest delights is sampling the local cuisine; whether that is shashlyk (skewered lamb roasted on a charcoal fire) in Russia, chapattis in Kenya, or Tuak (rice wine) in Borneo.

We will cater for any medical food requirements, and to some extent try to satisfy group consensus on taste. However, do not expect Western foods or an endless variety of ingredients.

Imported food and Western restaurants are often expensive, relative to the local eateries where you can find cheap, delicious and healthy meals. Eating at local restaurants is often a mutually beneficial relationship; the tourist gets to try something new and exotic, whilst helping to boost the local economy through consuming regional products and putting money in the pockets of local people. Our tour guides will be able to offer some recommendations about where to best sample the local cuisine.

Respect regulation and attitudes towards alcohol that vary between countries and communities.

Pack a water bottle to avoid buying bottled water. Your accommodation should supply you with boiled water that you can use to fill your bottle in the evening.

Always store food securely and dispose of leftovers in the correct way, this will help to protect the local wildlife and yourself.

Overconsumption of scarce resources is a problem in many areas, especially overfishing. Try to be informed on which species are under threat. In many places such species include lobster, crabs, conchs, snappers, groupers and jewfish.

To avoid stomach upsets: o Avoid ice, and ice shavings that are used in drinks offered by street vendors. o Try to avoid salad, fruit or any food that may have been washed with untreated water. o If you purchase food from street vendors make sure it’s fresh and thoroughly cooked. o Boil or purify untreated water.

Don’t forget to sample the locally-made wine and beer;Tusker is a favourite in Kenya.

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Buying Local

Support Local Handicrafts Buying locally produced goods leads to money staying within the local economy. The shorter the distance between yourself and the producer, the better, as this usually means more money ending up in their pocket.

Apart from the economic benefits, sourcing local goods should give you a better insight into local culture and tradition. Different regions will have unique textiles, jewellery and other handicrafts that will allow you to pick up gifts and keepsakes that you would never find back home. Be aware that many items said to be ‘hand-made’ are actually churned out by machines in huge quantities.

Endeavour to pay a fair price for items that contain local and natural materials; bartering down to the lowest possible price may negatively affect the local trader.

Our guides should be able to help you if you’re unsure of where to find authentic and fairly priced handicrafts.

Endangered Species We encourage our clients to purchase sustainable items; Fairtrade and organic are always preferred. There’s a wealth of endangered and protected species that are often used to make items. Tourist demand can lead to over-harvesting wildlife that can then create negative changes to ecosystems. Furs, ivory, reptile skin, ebony, black coral and turtle shells are some of the most commonly used items derived from endangered species. For an extensive list of all protected and threatened species visit www.cites.org.

Coral Reefs One of the most pressing matters that has materialised through over-harvesting natural items is the deterioration of coral reefs. Certain species, such as black coral, are internationally protected and illegal to transport into most countries.

Short-term profits can lead fishermen into using harmful methods to extract items such as sea sponges, shells and coral. Their extraction impacts upon the health and the aesthetics of the reef, damaging the reason why tourists visit the area in the first place.

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Ivory & Pelts It’s likely that you might come across ivory and pelts in souvenir shops in parts of Asia and Africa. A limited amount of these goods are allowed for exportation from Zimbabwe, and there are strict national and international laws regarding how they’re acquired and their movement across borders.

Be careful when buying souvenirs; such materials can be incorporated into all sorts of items which you may unknowingly transport, leading to a lot of trouble.

International Regulation Stick to regional, national and international regulation when harvesting and/or transporting plants and animal-related products.

Numerous items can’t be transported into the UK, and some require you to get a permit prior to departure. Make sure you’re in the know or you could incur a big fine, or even a jail sentence.

There are currently over 800 species of plants and animals that are barred from international trade, whilst the sale of over 30,000 species is controlled. Visit www.cites.orgto find out what’s on the list.

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Supply Chain

Adventure Alternative’s business model has always been to invest in host-country assets, allowing for a stronger influence on the supply chain. The standard tour operator business model involves outsourcing the whole package to a local agent, reducing control over operations in the host country. Our structure allows us to maintain the highest standards throughout our entire operations, despite huge differences in national environmental, employment and human rights legislation and regulation.

Wherever possible, we try and source the most ethically-sound and efficient products. In many cases, recycled, responsibly sourced, fair trade and energyefficient goods are not readily available in the areas that we work. Although products are slowly starting to filter into these markets, there is little knowledge of their existence, let alone the potential benefits. Such goods are often a more expensive alternative which often inhibits uptake in developing countries. We are currently trying to inform our worldwide staff of the benefits of responsible purchasing and how it ties in with Adventure Alternative’s business model.

In terms of the food we supply, little is imported. Most of the produce used is organically-grown on local farms. This allows our clients to experience authentic and delicious meals whilst helping to support the local economy, reducing demand and dependency on foreign imported goods.

We have our own transport fleet in East Africa, rather than using a third party. This allows us to regularly maintain the vehicles to ensure efficiency. Transport elsewhere is minimal due to the nature of our trips. Our drivers often start as apprentices, working their way up as a mechanic and helper so that they know the vehicles and can maintain them themselves, fix them, or at least make sure that garages don't rip us off!

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Fair Employment

Rather than outsourcing, we have set up companies in a number of areas where we offer tours, including Kenya, Tanzania, Russia, Nepal and most recently, Borneo. As well as providing investment, this model allows us to continuously help develop and train our staff in line with Adventure Alternative’s principles.

Adventure Alternative offers the means for local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell a sustainable product that is based on the area’s nature, history and culture, helping to keep money within the local community. The aim is to allow everybody involved in the tourism chain to share in the economic benefits, from the office staff to our employees on the ground.

Many companies take advantage of the poor human rights in less-developed countries by offering a low salary and poor working conditions. At Adventure Alternative, we believe in fair and long-term employment prospects. We offer a fair wage, often well above the industry average, along with overtime pay, paid holidays, training and refresher training. As well as this, the UK office provides management advice to all of our bases worldwide.

We also take a collaborative approach with the small businesses that we are affiliated with. For example, the Blue Line Hotel on the slopes of Mount Kenya has enjoyed working with us for over ten years now. This is not just a case of providing clientele, but also helping with standards, facilities, training and even investment.

Moving Mountains Trust was launched in 1991, built on a management principle of providing long term careers for some of the young people who were being supported by the charity. That is how Kelly Kioko began life as street kid and ended up becoming the Director of Adventure Alternative Kenya some fifteen years later.

This business model has fostered a culture of trust; since gaining employment within Adventure Alternative and Moving Mountains our previous beneficiaries have a new self-confidence, a new motivation to work hard and are able to provide for their families, thus ensuring that their own children will never have to suffer the privation that they did.

For more information on employee rights in the tourism industry, and to see how you can help, see Tourism Concern’s ‘Putting Tourism to Rights’ campaign: www.tourismconcern.org.uk/putting-tourism-to-rights

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Porters Most porters are not like the famous Sherpas who carry huge loads at altitude. Many are impoverished sustenance farmers who are driven into this line of work to provide for their families. Like trekkers and climbers, many porters suffer from altitude sickness, hypothermia, snow blindness, frostbite and even death in extreme cases.

It is commonplace for porters to be exploited; this is the unfortunate truth in many countries, including Nepal, Kenya and Tanzania. Out of desperation, many porters accept a daily wage that is way below the recommended amount. On top of this, they are expected to carry heavy equipment, often without insurance, proper clothing and food and lodging along the route. A porter can come home with a net salary of $10 for up to two weeks work. For us at Adventure Alternative this is wholly unacceptable.

Adventure Alternative has a dedicated policy in place to tackle all issues in relation to Porters Rights and beyond that actively campaigns for and on behalf of these great men and women in the various mountain ranges of the world via: IMEC - the International Mountain Explorers Connection KPAP - The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project IPPG – the International Porters Protection Group Trekking ethics - the IPPG’s recommended guidelines: 1) Adequate clothing should be provided to porters for their protection in bad weather and at high altitude.

2) Above the tree line, porters should have access to shelter, either a room in a lodge or tent with a sleeping pad and a blanket, food and warm drinks, or cooking equipment and fuel.

3) Porters should be provided with the same standard of medical care, including insurance.

4) Seriously ill porters should be sent down with someone who speaks their language and understands their illness along with a letter describing their complaint.

5) No porter should be asked to carry a load that is too heavy for their physical abilities.

In addition we pay our sirdars and guides an appropriate salary commensurate with their experience and responsibility so they do not have to take a 'slice' out of porters wages.

For more details on these policies, please visit the Adventure Alternative website.

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Begging Please do not offer beggars money, food or other items. Although these actions may be well-intentioned, handing them out creates a culture of dependency. Begging also encourages children to drop-out of school in search of a wage handed out by tourists.

Many of our tours involve work with children. In these situations, if you are keen on taking gifts, we propose any of the following: old clothes; a pair of shoes or socks; pencils; pens; and colourful trinkets for the girls. We urge you to be careful when offering out items. It’s important not to favour one child; this can sometimes lead to kids being bullied verbally and physically, or in extreme cases they can be thrown out of homes.

To avoid these problems, we suggest donating to our charity, Moving Mountains, as a basis for helping children. We have avoided third-party projects just so we can be certain that all donations go towards creating sustainable communities in the areas that we work. One-off gifts often confuse families and kids, who are accustomed to the support system that we have put in place; a support system that they trust because it is tried and tested, and developed through consultation with the communities themselves.

If you are at all worried about any of the above issues then talk to one of the tour leaders.

Tipping Unfortunately many people working in the travel industry are paid very low wages and rely heavily on tips. Many of them do not receive regular employment either, so tips have become the alternative to both a salary and also a supplement to a very irregular income.

Our staff are paid well above industry rates; tips act as more of a bonus which can be shared among the entire team of local staff. Unfortunately, paying a good salary does not in any way reduce the expectation of a tip! In fact in some cases the higher the salary, the higher the expected tip. Please do note that we do provide annual increments in salary which are linked to the inflation rates, and we do give end of year bonuses to the main staff.

Any gratuities should be made at your discretion. If there happens to be a problem then you should exercise your right to refuse a tip, helping to send a strong message about the work ethic that is expected of all our staff worldwide.

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We can offer guidelines on tipping, but essentially it’s up to you, and you should tip according to the service that you receive. You should endeavour to pay tips in the local currency, especially in Tanzania.

Further Insight: Tipping in Eastern Africa

Tips are expected at high-end luxury hotels and lodges and moderately priced safari lodges. Tip boxes are usually kept at reception.

Tips are not expected at hotels and restaurants frequented by locals.

Tips will be expected at the end of a walking safari. Recommended tips vary from Park to park, so check with your guide or driver.

When you give tips we recommend that the money is collected as a team and given to the trip leader as a total to be then distributed to the staff team members in an open 'ceremony'.

Please avoid individual tip giving to specific members of staff, even if that person has gone beyond the ‘call of duty’ for you. It does cause enormous problems after you have left, with arguments and jealousy.

The following is a rough guide on the amount of money that you may consider giving as a tip to the staff team on an Adventure Alternative expedition in East Africa.

Mount Kilimanjaro - £50 or $80 (this calculates to 125,000 Tz shillings) Mount Meru- £25 or $40 (or 62,500 Tz shillings) Mount Kenya - £30 or $50 (or about 4000 Kenyan shillings) Safari - £25 or $40 (or 100,000 Tz shillings or 3250 Kenyan shillings)

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Photography

Taking Photos Responsibly If a person is the focal point of your photo then make sure that you ask permission, or make a gesture. Learn about the local customs, superstitions and religion before you go to avoid making any silly mistakes.

If someone says no, respect their decision. If you don’t understand their response then be mindful of their body language and look out for signs of unease.

In some cases, money will be expected. Try to establish a fair price before you take the shot to avoid any nasty surprises.

Sacred spots, museums, memorials, protests, government buildings, military bases and historical sites might not condone photography. In fact, there may be punishments so make sure you check! Also be aware that asking someone to take your photograph could lead to them getting into trouble.

The enthusiasm of children makes them great subjects, but try to ask a parent or guardian before snapping away.

Safari Photography The East African savannah is a prime opportunity for practicing photography, yet there are a few realities that can disappoint if the photographer isn’t aware: Many animals are camouflaged and difficult to spot. However our drivers and guides are adept at spotting animals that have adapted to blend in with the environment.

Many animals rest and hide during the day when conditions are the best for taking photos.

It’s difficult to get close to wild animals, and the last thing we want to do is disturb their natural processes. This can often lead to shots of the dusty savannah with a tiny and non-descript animal of into the distance.

Coming across a chase or a kill is rare. Hunting usually takes place in the low light conditions of dusk or dawn With all these factors against you, it’s vital that you prepare….

Security Make sure that any valuable equipment is insured against loss, damage and theft.

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stored away and out of sight. Our vehicles are safe and always manned by a driver or guide, but don’t take unnecessary risks. There have been cases of opportunistic monkeys on safari, so be vigilant when windows are down!

Protection Safaris are hot and dusty; not the ideal place for expensive electronic items. A camera bag or case will help protect against the elements. Also make sure that the equipment is well secured as you will experience offroad driving and probably a fair few potholes and bumps along the way.

Visibility There are certain cases where the driver will ask for all windows to be shut: in heavy dust or if animals are close by (especially baboons). Our safari vans have pop-up roofs that allow you to take turns getting your shots, without impendence. The windows in our overland trucks roll up allowing you a high vantage point from which to get your photos.

Power points All of our lodges have power points for charging equipment. Generators will supply 240V, as do Kenyan plug sockets that take the same three pin plug as used in the UK. We can’t always promise that there will be power points in campsites so you may want to bring a portable solar charging unit, a charging cable to plug into the cigarette lighter in the vehicle, or lots of spare batteries! The overland trucks provide a 24V supply which is ideal for small devices. Major cities should stock equipment such as camera batteries and memory cards, but this is not to be relied on.

Lenses and filters The range of equipment you bring should reflect the type of shots you want to capture. A wide angle lens will allow you to capture the vast panorama of the savannah. It’s necessary to keep a fair distance from wild animals, so a 270mm long lens should help you capture intimate photos of the animals in their natural habitat.

The immense blue sky can often overexpose a shot; a UV or skylight filter can help with this.

Tripods It’s often the case on safari that your best shots will be in low light and using a zoom so holding the camera steady is vital; a gorilla pod or clasp should do the trick. There won’t be much space for a large tripod, so we encourage enthusiasts to bring a small stand or clasp for inside the vehicle, and a larger tripod for use from the campsite.

It can be quite stressful trying to get the perfect shot. Just remember to take some time, sit back and enjoy the scenery with your own eyes!

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Climate Change

Tourism and Climate Change Many aspects of the tourism industry have a large carbon footprint, the main culprit being air travel. As tourism continues to rise, year after year, the industry increasingly contributes towards worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

Similar to agriculture, transport and energy, tourism is regarded as a climatesensitive industry with many tourism and leisure organisations dependent on the climate and the health of the local environment in order to operate. Given tourism’s contribution to current greenhouse gas emissions and the industry’s sensitivity towards climatic changes, there is an urgent need to adopt a number of policies that encourage truly sustainable tourism.

Indeed, climate change is not an indefinite or remote future event as many people believe; the effects are becoming apparent at many destinations around the world.

Kilimanjaro’s shrinking snow cap has been attributed to global warming. The images that depict the snow’s withdrawal have become a well-known tool in the fight against climate change.

As well as its receding glaciers, Kili is also suffering from droughts and flash floods.

After hearing of these climatic changes, many tourists are now flocking to the mountain in fear that the iconic snows will soon disappear. Ironically, this boost to tourism may accelerate the melt leading to fewer and fewer tourists in the long-run.

Tourism plays a huge role in the local economy. Local people are hired as porters and guides to assist climbing tourists. Over the years, local infrastructure has developed in order to complement the influx of tourists, with many businesses reliant on the constant stream of visitors for an income.

This pattern will become more widespread as global warming continues to shape and change the natural environment. The different manifestations of climate change will call for all stakeholders in the tourism arena to adapt in some way; regional climate change will prove to be increasingly relevant for tourism destinations and tourists alike.

Our Commitments We believe that the tour operators should play a central role in climate change mitigation and adaptation through their ability to influence the tourism supply chain and shape demand. The tour operator also has the ability to inform and educate clients so that they adopt the principles of sustainable tourism. Indeed, it is in the tour operator’s interest to preserve the destinations in which they operate

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Moving Mountains – Rainforest Enrichment Project Adventure Alternative works in partnership with Moving Mountains, promoting and funding our work in support of community led, sustainable development in Kenya, Nepal and Borneo.

As part of AA’s commitment to responsible travel, we offer clients and all of our Moving Mountains volunteers the opportunity to help to offset the carbon emissions from flights by making a small payment to the tree planting programme, run and managed by Moving Mountains in Borneo, in partnership with the indigenous Penan people.

Having avoided third-party projects, we developed this scheme along with Moving Mountains and the Penan. The Project is run under the supervision of MESCOT - a community-based cooperative that oversees all of the environmental/conservation efforts in the BatuPuteh area of Borneo. The initiative aligns conservation goals with the protection of the Penan people by conserving the forest habitat and the region’s biodiversity, whilst also ensuring the health and livelihoods of the local indigenous population.

After spending years running trips to this wonderful and remote part of Borneo, we now have an offsetting scheme that we can vouch for! This donation will help to offset the carbon emissions from your flight and help to reduce your carbon footprint, whilst also: Providing fair employment and an income source for local people in Borneo to collect saplings from the forest, manage our tree nurseries and plant young trees; Helping to reforest areas of the Borneo rainforest destroyed by extreme weather and illegal logging; Providing a sustainable source of new wood for the Penan and help them to protect the existing ancient rainforest in which they live; Helping the Penan to campaign against the logging companies and protect their land and traditions.

Offset your emissions!

As part of our shared commitment to responsible travel, ethical tourism and sustainable development, Adventure Alternative and Moving Mountains offer clients and volunteers the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from flights.

By using our embedded carbon calculator you can calculate the emissions from your flights and make a small payment to the programme to offset your carbon emissions whilst helping to support the Penan to protect and enrich the Sarawak Rainforest in Borneo. Most importantly, rather than funding a third-party organisation, ALL funds will go to Moving Mountains and will directly fund the programme in Borneo.

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10:10 As part of our commitment to the 10:10 scheme, AA is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% in the year 2012. This goal stretches throughout our operations to our offices and guesthouses worldwide. To aid this commitment we have issued energy saving guidelines that we hope will inform our staff, suppliers and clients, enabling them to become more conscious of their carbon footprint and the ways by which they can reduce it.

The shortcomings of carbon offsetting Whilst carbon offsetting makes a positive contribution towards mitigating harmful climate change, it doesn’t solve the problem of consumption and excess carbon.

Essentially, it validates flying.

Carbon offsetting doesn’t remove harmful GHGs from our atmosphere, and many offsetting schemes take years to remove the corresponding amount of carbon emitted from a flight.

Take a look at www.cheatneutral.comfor a satirical look at the issues surrounding carbon offsetting.

Fly Smart The Responsible Tourism Partnership recommends these three steps to try to compensate for the shortcomings of carbon offset schemes; to become ‘Fly Smart’.

1. Fly less Take other forms of transport wherever possible. Whilst flying is time efficient, land travel is infinitely more interesting and exciting; ‘getting there is half the fun’ became obsolete with the advent of commercial airlines.” – H. J. Tillman 2.Fly more carbon efficiently Make purchasing choices that encourage airlines to reduce their emissions.

Fly direct Choose a charter flight or economy - your emissions will generally be less.

Carry less baggage Fly with airlines that fill their planes Using a carbon friendly flight searchallows you to choose the most carbon efficient airlines.

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3. Donate to a credible offsetting scheme If you do fly, consider donating towards a credible offsetting scheme. Take your time to research the myriad of schemes – this is a complex market where a multitude of different prices are offered. Try not to appease your guilt by choosing the cheapest option – take responsibility for your carbon emissions!

Although carbon offsetting is not the solution by itself, our clients can rest assured that our offsetting scheme, the Rainforest Enrichment Project, is credible and responsibly managed. For more information on the scheme visit our Moving Mountains website.

Informative Websites: Moving Mountains -www.movingmountainstrust.com/ MESCOT - www.mescot.org/ 10:10 Campaign- www.1010uk.org/ Cheat Neutral - www.cheatneutral.com/ Carbon Neutral -www.carbonneutral.com

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Responsible Travel Tips 1. Fly Wisely: Travel by air is usually the most energy-consuming part of any trip.

Minimise air travel by taking direct flights, reducing the number of short trips, staying longer in one destination or by choosing a carbon efficient carrier.

2. Travel Lightly: Pack only the essentials, anddon't bring things that will become waste.Terracurve state that 7,537 tonnes of carbon dioxide would be averted from going into the atmosphere each year if travellers reduced their luggage by 25%.

3. Book Responsibly: Choose service providers that have strong sustainability practices. Look for information on the company's commitment to the environment, the local community and economy.

4. Unplug before You Leave: Turn off lights and unplug household appliances before you leave. Appliances drain energy even when they aren’t on!

5. Unplug while you’re there: When you leave the room, turn off the heating, airconditioning, lights or any other electric devices.

6. Choose Greener Transportation: Using alternative modes of transportationis a far more sustainable way to travel and will allow you to get to know the local culture.

7. Source Locally: Support the local economy by buying locally made crafts, sourcing local ingredients and dining at local eateries, thus reducing demand for imported goods.

8. Manage Water Responsibly: Keep your showers short; don’t let the water run whilst you brush your teeth, shave or wash; avoid excessive flushing of the toilet; use the minimum amount of water necessary for cooking and cleaning; and if possible, opt out of having your towels and bed linen washed every day.

9. Charge Sustainably: A portable battery charger and rechargeable batteries will save you costs in the long-run whilst also helping to prevent acid and toxic minerals being disposed of in harmful ways. Rechargeable batteries can be used for a number of essential travel items such as cameras, torches and razors.

10. Offset Your Carbon Footprint: Contribute to a credible carbon offsetting programme. Adventure Alternative supports the scheme run through our charity, Moving Mountains.

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Energy Our commitments: We have installed eco-efficiency guidelines in all of our offices and guesthouses to enable staff to reduce energy consumption. Subject to local restrictions, here are some of the actions that we have implemented: Lighting We have installed energy-efficient light bulbs wherever possible.

We have established overnight lighting policies in our offices and guesthouses worldwide to minimise unnecessary lighting.

Electrical equipment Where heating and cooling devices are used, we have policies in place to maximise their efficiency whilst minimising use. Our East African offices use only natural cooling methods.

We pay attention to energy efficiency ratings when choosing electrical goods. Our Borneo office has an energy-efficient cooling system for the hot and humid jungle environment.

We use flat-screen monitors that are considerably more efficient than their CRT counterparts.

All PCs have energy saving standby mode.

All electrical devices are switched off during evenings and holidays.

Suppliers We have set up local companies in the developing countries where we operate.

We do not use contractors to run our tours, which allows us to have control over our energy use in our offices worldwide and out on the ground.

There are a few cases where we have become business partners with accommodation providers. We have edited and extended our eco-efficiency guidelines to fit the needs of these guesthouses, including more efficient refrigeration and cooking methods, and ethical procurement procedures.

All these actions contribute towards our aim of reducing carbon emissions by 10% throughout 2012 as part of the 10:10 campaign. Visit www.1010global.org/ukfor more information.

See the ‘Before you go’ section to learn how to leave your home in an energyefficient state before you head off on your travels.

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Water Water is a precious resource that needs to be protected. Joint effects of climate change and overpopulation will see water become an increasingly scarce resource.

A major concern is the excessive use of water in tourism destinations, whilst many locals continue to have limited access to clean water infrastructure.To learn more about water equity and the strains that tourism can place on water supplies, visit:www.tourismconcern.org.uk/wet Here are some tips to help you conserve water and save money on your travels, and at home: Take a shower; a shower uses approximately a third of the amount of water used to fill a bath.

Turn off the water whilst brushing your teeth.

Filtered water is the most environmentally friendly way to generate safe drinking water. As an alternative, we encourage the treatment of water with iodine tablets.

Reusable and lightweight water bottles are a great alternative to throwaway plastics.

Reuse your sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day.

Avoid excessive flushing of the toilet and don’t use it as a general dustbin.

Let your hotel or holiday rep know if you spot a drip.

When boiling the kettle or cooking, only heat the amount of water that you need.

If bottled water is the only option, buy a larger container of water (2-4 litres) that you can store and use to fill one small portable bottle. This should help reduce waste.

Try and become aware of water supply issues in the region that you will be visiting, in order to minimise your impact.

Bottled Water – Adventure Alternative Policy: We try to avoid bottled water wherever possible, and encourage our clients to do the same. We do not bring bottled water on mountains due to waste; all water comes from rivers and glacial streams. The staff will fill your water bottles every evening.

The British Mountaineering Council estimated that over 200,000 bottles were discarded by tourists last year in Nepal’s Annapurna region alone.

Filtered water is available from some of our Nepal guesthouses – a cheaper alternative to bottled water. If filtered water isn’t available, the best option is to order boiled water from the lodge kitchen to fill your water bottle in the evening. Please note that cheap water bottles easily split when filled with hot water! The other option is to use iodine drops (known as Lugols solution in Nepal and available in supermarkets).

Always check bottles to see that the caps are still sealed, this is particularly relevant to bottled water in Kenya and Tanzania. Many plastic bottles are filled from municipal sources and reused. If in doubt, use water purification tablets too, to be on the safe side.

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Waste

The following tips will help you to minimise waste left in your destination: Leave behind any unnecessary packaging to avoid leaving waste in your destination.

Biodegradable products can replace plastics and other harmful materials. It’s now possible to buy biodegradable soap, shampoo, insect repellent candles and many other travel necessities.

Don’t litter! Many of the countries we operate in have limited waste facilities leading to huge problems with discarded waste.

Reduce excessive consumption and waste, such as buying numerous plastic water bottles.

Know your accommodation’s recycling program and sort your rubbish accordingly.

Trekking waste: When trekking, all waste is removed from the mountain and disposed of responsibly.

Human waste policies vary by region. Kilimanjaro has its famous long drop toilets, whilst human waste is often bagged and carried off other mountains and disposed of safely. Take non-clear plastic bags and wrap it well!

When answering calls of nature, please bury it if necessary, and if possible burn any toilet paper. Choose sites away from water sources, streams etc.

Further Insight: Nepal There is a strict waste policy in effect for climbers visiting Everest and its base camp.

Tourist numbers rose quickly in an area that was ill-equipped to deal with waste disposal. The Ministry of Tourism has now imposed a strict set of rules for visitors to follow regarding waste and its disposal: 1. All expeditions pay a $4000 deposit which is lost if any non-biodegradable waste is left on the mountain.

2. Rubbish is split into three categories: I. Recyclable goods are brought to the prescribed recycling facility in Kathmandu.

II. Disposable items are brought off the mountain and deposited in front of the relevant authority.

III. Re-exportable items are sent from Nepal to their respective country of origin.

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3. The Liaison Officer and the region’s village leader collaborate to enforce these procedures.

4. Since 1994, Sherpas have been compensated for every discarded oxygen bottle that they bring down from the mountain.

5. Glass bottles have been banned on the mountain since 1998.

Further Insight: Russia Unfortunately Mount Elbrus does not have a rigorous waste policy, and this is evident along the trek. Many climbers and porters use crevasses as rubbish tips, toilets are often overflowing and the area around the cabins can be particularly bad.

You will also be subjected to a view of scrap metal, bottles and plastic bags from the recently erected mountain chairlift.

Even though there may be a lack of official enforcement, rather than following the crowd, Adventure Alternative abides by its own waste removal policy. We ask all our clients to minimise their impact on the natural environment, instead of worsening the waste problem.

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Wildlife

Follow these guidelines to minimise your impact on the local wildlife.

Different regions will inherit unique and specific environmental problems. Educate yourself on these local and regional matters before you leave to avoid worsening any issues surrounding the native flora and fauna.

Don’t collect specimens; if everyone did this, there wouldn’t be any left for people to observe and enjoy.

Don’t feed animals. This can cause reliance, and even aggression.

Give wild animals space and avoid disturbing them during sensitive times – mating; nesting; raising young; and feeding.

If taking pets, control them at all times.

Further Insight – Borneo Commercial logging operations gathered momentum in Borneo during the 1980s and 1990s. Initially, the northern states of Sabah and Sarawak were hit hardest, whereas the southern regions were targeted later and now act as the island’s primary source for tropical timber.

Whilst the forests were once largely used for paper pulp and furniture, the biggest threat today comes from palm oil and other biofuels. Today, almost half of Borneo’s cultivated land consists of government-owned palm oil plantations.

(R.A.Butler, Mongabay)

One of the most devastating effects of deforestation is the consequent loss of biodiversity in an area that is considered to be one of the most species-rich in the world. Reduced forest cover and increasing demand has also resulted in higher levels of poaching. The orang-utan is often targeted due to the value it can reach in the tropical pet and entertainment industries.

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The governments of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei have collaborated to protect 220,000km² of land, almost a third of the total area of Borneo. The project aims to protect the land, collate data and educate people around the world whilst collaborating with local communities to ensure that social development takes place in conjunction with environmental conservation.

Our ‘Carbon Enrichment Project’ in Borneo was set up through our charity Moving Mountains in order to restore areas that have been affected by extreme weather and logging activities. The project is maintained by the indigenous Penan people who are masters of the natural environment around them.

The Penan people are paid to collect and plant the tree nurseries, and to monitor and ensure that the young trees flourish, ready for replanting. All of this work utilises a deep knowledge and connection with the rainforest, replanting only native tree species to maintain the original integrity of the forest. This work also provides an income for the people, supporting them in their efforts to resist the logging companies and protect their traditional homes in the forest.

How you can help reduce your impact on the world’s forests?

Reduce wood and paper consumption; Choose paper with the highest recycled content; Use both sides of paper; Use cloth napkins/towels, avoid disposable; Choose tree-free paper – this includes agri-waste products like waste straw, hemp and kenaf.

Informative Websites: Forest Stewardship Council– www.fsc-uk.org Heart of Borneo project – www.heartofborneo.org Conservation International – www.conservation.org Conservation on Biological Diversity - www.cbd.int

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Fire & Campfires

Ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you LEAVE NO TRACE: Is a fire necessary? Campfires were once a necessity, but the invention of lightweight and efficient camping stoves has eliminated the need for potentially damaging and resource-dependent campfires.

Is it a protected area? Collecting fuel wood may be prohibited. This is the case on Kilimanjaro and within certain national parks in Nepal.

Is firewood scarce? Even if the collection of firewood is permitted, you may be depleting the supply of the local communities and regeneration may not be able to keep up with demand.

Are there any existing fire rings? Using an existing fire ring will reduce the impact upon the natural environment.

Is there a risk of the fire spreading? Location, time of year and type of vegetation could all increase the likeliness of a fire spreading. Even a small breeze could cause a fire to spread.

Do you have fire fighting equipment? If you can, put the fire out with water, not dirt. If the fire continues to spread then leave the area and get help.

Further Insight: Nepal Major deforestation in Nepal has been directly linked to fuel wood and the use of timber for buildings to satisfy village growth and the ever-increasing influx of tourists.

Forests are often destroyed at a rate that can’t be restored, especially at higher altitudes where it is more difficult for trees to grow.

Cutting down wood is now strictly prohibited in Sagarmatha national park and many other areas of Nepal, in order to rehabilitate forests. Stoves have reduced the burden on forests by encouraging a shift away from traditional campfires, yet there are still areas at risk.

For more advice and information, visit www.lnt.org.

Eco-friendly cooking stoves in Bumburi, Nepal The forests around Bumburi have been slowly disappearing due to pressure from population growth, greatly inefficient cooking methods and continued demand for wood for cooking and heating water.

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The stoves we installed in Bumburi are made of clay and have a narrow opening for the wood and a specially shaped ‘hob’ which directs the heat rather than letting is dissipate. The stove is connected to a back boiler which is fed by the new water supply that we installed into every house, allowing families to have hot water ‘on tap’ for washing. As part of this project we also supplied electric rice cookers which run off the hydro electric supply, so that dinner can be cooked using renewable energy during the day when there is a surplus of power.

The stoves and back-boilers are produced locally in Kathmandu by a Nepalese company and the project is fully supported by the Nepalese government in their efforts to protect the Himalayan forest. As part of this commitment the government provides a partial subsidy towards the cost of manufacturing the stoves.

Results: Reduced firewood use by 50%; Water heated automatically as it passes through pipes, further reducing the need for firewood; Frees up time for locals, especially children who no longer have to collect firewood, increasing school attendance; Improved health – less smoke in the kitchen has led to reduced respiratory and eye problems; Preserves habitats for the rich diversity of animal and birds found in the region.

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Pollution and Harmful Substances

Natural and biodegradable products are used wherever possible, although such products are often not readily available in many of the destinations that we work in.

If you happen to be working with, or close to, animals, we recommend that you steer clear of products with DEET. Evidence suggests that DEET may cause neurological conditions amongst animals. If you choose to use DEET (it is known to be more effective than natural substitutes), opt for a cream rather than a spray; the former won’t act as an inhalant.

Natural remedies: Lemon eucalyptus oil This oil has been hailed as the most effective alternative to DEET, working for up to six hours to repel mosquitoes and deer ticks.

Citronella oil Citronella oil, having been used as an insect repellent for more than 60 years now, its qualities have been well confirmed by research. Although not effective as DEET, its formulas can be as good as to DEET based repellents.

Transport The majority of our trips involve being active – trekking, mountaineering and walking, so vehicle use is minimal. We do use public transport wherever necessary; it’s a great way to see an area through the eyes of a local, and it’s a more energy-efficient substitute to using our own vehicles for short trips.

Trucks are used for our safari trips in East Africa. These vehicles are regularly maintained to ensure that they are working efficiently. In both Kenya and Tanzania, our old engine oil is sent to treatment facilities, where it is disposed of responsibly.

In rural areas, the discarded oil is painted on wood to prevent termite invasions.

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Back at Home

Feedback Feedback plays a big part in moving the company forward; whether it’s good or bad, we want to hear it!

We have an extensive online feedback questionnaire. We would hugely appreciate it if you had a go at filling it in, however much or little: www.surveymonkey.com/s/AdventureAlternative There are a number of websites that allow you to review your holiday serviceproviders, anonymously if preferred. This is a great way to share your experiences with other travellers: Tour Company Reviews – www.tourcompanyreviews.com Go Overseas – www.gooverseas.com At Adventure Alternative, we enjoy keeping in contact with our clients. The easiest way for both parties to keep informed is through social media sites. To stay in the loop, follow us on Facebook,Twitter (@AdvAlt), LinkedIn and Google+.

We now have an Adventure Alternative blog up and running, discussing all sorts of travel-related and sustainable development matters. Find us on WordPress:http://adventurealternative.wordpress.com You can also keep up-to-date via our monthly newsletter. To sign up, enter your email address into the newsletter box on Adventure Alternative’s front webpage.

You may have promised photos, trinkets or a simple e-mail to one or a number of people you met on your trip. Try to see these things through, even if it may not be top of your list on arriving home. An unfulfilled promise may breed resentment towards visitors, so aim to keep up good relations.

If a particular issue struck a nerve whilst you were away, why not get involved with a relevant organisation or charity? Collaborate with friends, family or work colleagues to organise a fundraising event, or spread the word amongst people who may not have known the issue existed.

For further information on how you can support our charity Moving Mountains, please visit: www.movingmountainstrust.com Try and keep up-to-date with news surrounding sustainable tourism via websites, blogs and social media, building on the knowledge you gained on your trip. Exciting progress in this industry is being made all the time; it’s a relatively new area that’s making its way into the mainstream.

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Moving Mountains

Moving Mountains was started by Adventure Alternative founder Gavin Bate in 1991 after many years travelling throughout Kenya, Nepal and Borneo.

All admin overheads are paid for by Adventure Alternative and Trustees work voluntarily, maximising the financial capital directed towards development. Moving Mountains UK provides the strategy for the future of all the charitable aims and pays for the bulk of the projects.

Aims The primary aims are to provide aid for the relief of hardship, poverty, suffering and inequality through education and vocational training, medical treatment, sport and employment. We also provide capital to build, renovate and maintain schools, orphanages, community centres and environmental projects, all of which must show a positive socio-economic impact on the population.

Moving Mountains is about long-term sustainability, about supporting people in ways that help them not only today, but into the future. Our projects are built on community ownership, sustainability and professional, responsible management delivered by our staff, the majority of whom are from the countries and communities in which we work.

Progress so far…

The following achievements are but a snapshot of the progress made by Moving Mountains since the charity was founded in 1991. For a complete breakdown of projects and their outcomes, please visit the Moving Mountains website: www.movingmountainstrust.com

MM Kenya The development project in Solio began in 2009 with the aim of providing housing and educational infrastructure to the 10,000 families evicted from their land by the government.

To date, the project has delivered the construction of seven new school classrooms, four bandas to provide housing for teachers, a school kitchen and toilet facilities, as well as capacity building work to help local people build their own houses to replace the ‘temporary’ tents provided by UNICEF over ten years ago. A further 42 classrooms have been built after funding was secured from the Kenyan government.

Now working alongside the Kenyan authorities, Moving Mountains plans to provide seven schools, a health clinic to serve each village and permanent housing for each evicted family.

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MM Borneo – Rainforest Enrichment Project Work in Borneo has focused upon rainforest rehabilitation after logging and extreme weather conditions began to threaten the quality and sustainability of the Sarawak rainforest.

For every Borneo trip booked through Adventure Alternative, £100 is donated towards Moving Mountain’s Rainforest Enrichment Project. Funding is used to build tree nurseries – planting 10,000 hardwood trees a year; to provide vital training in ecotourism, management and ethnobotany that helps the indigenous population efficiently manage their forest; and to construct a visitor’s centre within the forest that allows a small and sustainable number of visitors to experience these communities and the forest environment.

MM Nepal We have been continuously improving the infrastructure in Bumburi, a onceoverlooked end-of-trail mountain village in Nepal. Eco-friendly cooking stoves have been installed and a hydro-electric plant supplies electricity to 73 homes within the village. Each home pays an annual bill for the use of the electricity. The profit made from these payments is put towards a community fund that is used to pay for TV and internet links.

The hydroelectric plant now powers two mills, one for grinding corn to make flour and one for making oil. Tea rollers and driers were acquired to allow village members to make their own tea as part of a co-operative that encourages fair employment and working conditions. Several people from Bumburi met with tea specialists in Kathmandu to learn the art of tea making, and to learn how to effectively run their own business.

How you can help: Fundraise, visit or spread the word!

MyDonate (UK), JustGiving (UK) and MyCharity.ie (ROI) allow you to donate funds directly to Moving Mountains, and if you are running a fundraising event on our behalf, you can set up a fundraising page.

As well as one-off or monthly donations, we welcome individuals and groups out to help us with international operations. There are projects to suit all types of interests, from placements in medical centres and schools to tree planting in Borneo as part of the Rainforest Enrichment Project.

Any charity is only as strong as the people that work with it to raise awareness, run events, garner support and raise funds. To show your support and to receive up-todate information on all MM projects, become a friend of Moving Mountains Trust on Facebook.

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Voluntourism

Voluntourism has long been an option, but has only recently acquired this name; this kind of trip is commonly known as a ‘gap year’ or ‘development’ trip. An increase in the number of these tours warrants the introduction of regulatory criteria to ensure that they have a long-term positive impact.

Voluntary Services Overseas has found that the majority of volunteer placement organisations offering short-term volunteer placements, or gap year trips, accommodate the needs of volunteers at the expense of the community projects that they claim to support. VSO highlights how many companies have jumped on the voluntourism bandwagon whilst showing little interest in implementing well-designed and sustainable volunteer projects.

Adventure Alternative runs a number of voluntourism trips. The content of these trips is built around real development goals, rather than focusing on the needs of an individual or group. The objectives of these trips run directly in line with the development aims of our charity, Moving Mountains.

Fair Trade Volunteering FTV is an independent body established by leaders in the industry. The organisation’s main aim is to ensure that the client’s money and input directly benefit the local community by promoting best practice in the field.

Five suggested criteria work as a benchmark for organisations, as well as giving prospective volunteers a clear and simple way to understand what they should be looking for in a Fair Trade Volunteering placement.

Adventure Alternative complies with the following Fair Trade Volunteering principles: 1. A minimum level of local investment beyond the volunteer’s time and effort, including finance, resources and training.

2. A long-term commitment to the project (minimum 3 years) that is developed in collaboration with the host community and/or project leaders.

3. Clear and honest project description and thorough pre-departure preparation for all volunteers.

4. In-country support and project management.

5. 100% volunteer expenses covered by the placement organisation rather than the local community, including food, transport and accommodation.

Further Information: Fair Trade Volunteering - www.fairtradevolunteering.com Voluntary Services Overseas - www.vso.org.uk

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Future Thoughts

We will continue to develop each Adventure Alternative subsidiary until they achieve self-sufficiency; this is the end goal in each of our destinations!

We look forward to increasing our range of trips and expanding the Adventure Alternative team as we go. 2012 will see Spain and Morocco added to the list of tours and we will apply the same attention to detail and commitment to responsible tourism in these new destinations. Our regional companies will continue acting as ground handlers, promoting sustainable values amongst suppliers and agencies in the host country.

Having spent years establishing the quality of the holiday with investment and training, it is now time to start linking up clients with our staff worldwide, in advance of the holiday. Adventure Alternative and Moving Mountains have a large number of staff around the world and it seems natural that all those people should be linked up to each other and to our clients. This will allow clients to get more involved in the running of our tours.

It is likely that an exponential rise in the number of global tourists will put further strain on fragile ecosystems, cultures and communities. We will therefore continue to campaign for more responsibility within the tourism industry through the many organisations that we are affiliated with. For tourisms sustainability, it will be key for organisations to take a more holistic approach to their operations by focusing on the social and environmental aspects of trips, as well as financial objectives. It's a matter of persuading the larger companies, which are shareholder governed and profit driven, that long term strategies are necessary in today’s world of tourism.

We hope that the Adventure Alternative model will highlight the business case for both local investment and providing long-term environmental, social and financial benefits.

We will continue communicating our sustainability agenda to our many stakeholders, including you – the client! This will include reporting on and benchmarking our environmental, social and financial performance.

By maintaining honesty and integrity, we hope to create an open forum for discussion amongst our stakeholders, gaining feedback that will help propel the company forward.

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Informative Links Here at Adventure Alternative, we’ve been putting together a log of all the most relevant, interesting and informative websites surrounding tourism and sustainability.

ABTA – www.abta.com Adventure Travel - www.adventuretravel.biz Ethical Traveler - www.ethicaltraveler.org Ethical Traveller (Catherine Mack) - www.ethicaltraveller.co.uk Global Footprint Network - www.footprintnetwork.org Green Traveller - www.greentraveller.co.uk Make Holidays Greener - www.makeholdaysgreener.org.uk National Geographic’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable Sustainable Travel International - www.sustainabletravelinternational.org The Travel Foundation - http://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/ Tourism Concern - www.tourismconcern.org.uk Tour Operator’s Initiative - www.toinitiative.org

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Affiliations

Adventure Alternative is a member of The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), which offers financially protected quality holidays from award-winning specialist independent tour operators.

Adventure Alternative is a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association which reflects and represents high quality, trusted Adventure Travel tour operators from around the globe.

Adventure Alternative activities are compliant with the British Standard 8848 and we are in the process of being assessed by the BS 8848 awarding body.

Adventure Alternative is a member of Tourism Concern.

Adventure Alternative is a member Sustainable Travel International’s Partner Programme – a programme devised to help manage our sustainability agenda.

Adventure Alternative is a member of the Expedition Providers Association.

Adventure Alternative is a member of The International Ecotourism Society.

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