A L ETTER FROM A LEX
Dear Traveller,
A
s the owner of a luxury travel company, I have always strongly believed we have a responsibility to help protect the areas in which we operate. For me, luxury travel is synonymous with responsible travel and here at Jacada Travel we carry that idea into everything we do. That means partnering with people who share our ethics, promoting countries that operate responsibly, working with local guides and giving back to various community and environmental projects through our profits. It also means understanding how important tourism is to the economy of many countries and supporting these destinations when they most need it. Back in April, Ecuador experienced an earthquake that shook the northwestern region leaving over 400 people dead. This is not an area many tourists visit, but whilst it hasn’t affected international travellers, it has left the region’s economy in tatters. As such, we are donating a set amount of profits to the earthquake appeal from each trip to Ecuador we plan this summer. It’s a country that means a lot to many of us: our head of Latin America, Ciara Owens, used to live in Ecuador, and on page 14 The Explorer’s editor Heather Richardson recalls the reasons the country has remained one of her all-time favourite travel destinations. Wildlife conservation is always at the forefront of our ethics. In April, our head of Asia, Kate Edwards, embarked on a monthlong research trip in India - our newest tours launch in July 2016 - where she went on several tiger safaris. These beautiful animals are severely endangered, but the safari industry offers a way in which we can make a difference - Kate explains more on page 22. Speaking of safaris, Byron Thomas, our head of Africa, recently visited Zambia where the model for responsible safaris was first introduced by Norman Carr in the 1950s. Carr was a pioneer in this industry and today’s camps and lodges follow in his footsteps. Read about Zambia’s history of walking safaris on page 8. Jen Richt, our Central America destination expert, turns the spotlight on Belize (page 32), a country that has been stepping up its conservation efforts to become one of the frontrunners in ecofriendly tourism. If you ever have a question about responsible travel, don’t hesitate to ask one of our travel designers; it’s a topic about which we’re all extremely passionate. For me, our ability to support eco-systems and communities is one of the best, most rewarding things about working in the luxury travel industry. Warm regards,
Alex Malcolm Jacada Travel Founder & MD THE EXPLORER | SUMMER 2016 | 03