Travel Articles
Below are some of our travel articles covering our campaigns, responsibletravel.com, issues in responsible tourism, general travel, volunteering, family travel, reviews, accommodation, community and wildlife...
Our campaigns
How responsible are cruise liners?
The cruise industry has been ignoring its responsibilities in local destinations for too long. Here, we examine the evidence clearly showing cruising as the bad boys of travel.
Is it ethical to travel to Burma?
Tourism to Burma (or Myanmar) has however been widely linked to human rights abuse, and the country's pro-democracy leader and Nobel prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists to stay away - a boycott that has been supported by the international community.
Fly me to the moon - but switch off the TV first!
The current media focus on environmental issues, while very welcome and long overdue, has led to a lot of bad press for flying. Some might argue that this is a good thing, but it has left the general public with a somewhat skewed view of the impact of flying and many now feel guilty about taking a holiday that involves a flight.
About responsibletravel.com
Responsible travel and responsible tourism
Responsible travel is a new way of travelling for those who've had enough of mass tourism. It's about respecting and benefiting local people and the environment – but it's about far more than that.
The people behind responsibletravel.com
We believe that responsible tourism is as much about people as it is about destinations so we thought it was about time we introduced ourselves and told you a little bit about what we do.
What makes our holidays better?
We are often asked how ‘responsible’ holidays stand apart from normal holidays. Well, in a nutshell, these are more authentic holidays that offer experiences that - contrary to the sometimes artificial confinements of mass tourism - respectfully explore the natural environment and local culture of a destination.
Q & A with co-founder of responsibletravel.com, Justin Francis
Every day we're delighted to get phone calls and emails from newspapers and magazines keen to find out more about responsibletravel.com. We find that some questions come up a lot more frequently than others so we thought we'd publish the answers here for everyone to read our responses in a Q & A with Justin Francis.
Supporting local businesses: How your holidays help
Here’s a chance to see the other side of responsible holidays. We have asked some of our operators what responsibletravel.com membership has meant to their business.
Happy birthday responsibletravel.com
In April 2001, following some entrepreneurial advice from Anita Roddick, Justin Francis launched responsibletravel.com. Today he reflects on the progress of the responsible tourism movement and his hopes for the future.
An unusual Wednesday for the responsibletravel.com team
It’s not everyday that you find a group of account managers, customer service advisors, project managers, web editors and company directors out of the office, covered in mud and digging holes in the Sussex countryside.
A day at Lewes Local Nature Reserve in the rain
We at responsibletravel.com tend to talk a lot about what travellers can do to benefit their travel destination and we like to offer advice on the best way to minimise impacts and how to support conservation projects. But we’re not all talk and last week we braved the rain to stop talking and take some action...
Issues in responsible travel
Can a holiday be responsible if you need to fly to get there?
While responsible holidays are attracting increasing attention, is it responsible to book one if you need to fly to the holiday destination?
Flying in the face of global warming - to fly or not to fly?
The knives are out for air travel, but should people really stop flying altogether and are people really going to listen?
Heathrow aviation campaign
This week environmental campaigners gather at Heathrow. Many of them seem to feel that all flying is bad. Of course that's wrong, but no more wrong that our Government who continue to plan for a doubling of UK flights (which flies in the face of Co2 reduction targets).
Ultimate ice-breakers – the future of tourism in the polar regions
We ask if we should be travelling to the polar regions, or if these fragile areas should be left pristine.
Road to Everestland: a road to disaster?
China’s plans to build a road to the Everest slopes to open the area up to tourism, despite fears that Everest is already overcrowded, has caused controversy around the world.
Should all inclusive holidays be banned?
Saint or sinner? Do all inclusive holidays provide a much needed break for millions of families on a tight budget and employment for local people - or deny local communities a fair share of tourism revenues? Was the Gambia right to attempt to ban all inclusive holidays?
The responsible tourism movement
With the increased awareness of the (good and bad) effects tourism can have on our planet, the ‘responsible travel’ movement is gathering pace around the world too. Since our launch 6 years ago, those of us have argued that tourism needs to be re-invented for the long term benefit of everyone; local people, the environment, tourists, and not least the tourism industry itself have gathered momentum.
Think all you leave is tracks on the snow?
What could be more sustainable than skiing? All you leave behind is tracks in the snow - right? At first glance skiing might appear highly sustainable, but in fact there are some very significant environmental and cultural impacts.
Saving the Snow
Mark Lynas suggests how you can do your bit to ensure that you can have your snow and ski on it too.
Melting Away
With ski season becoming shorter and less predictable and glaciers in retreat, it seems that global warming has already begun to affect winter tourism. Mark Lynas reports on a shrinking industry.
Kilimanjaro porters need better care
Those who have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro know that the porters are the heart and soul of your trek. Without their hard work and strength we would not be able to fully experience the magnificence of Kili. But the truth is porters are often impoverished Tanzanians who depend on this labor-intensive employment in order to feed themselves and their families.
Mountain porters and guides
Its tempting to think of your porters or guides as heroic individuals who trek up Kilimanjaro or to Everest Base Camp carrying two packs, while wearing flip flops and cast off sweaters with no discomfort. Whilst many porters and guides do have indeed have incredible strength and stamina, it is fair or responsible for tourists and tour companies to take advantage of often impoverished local people in this way?
What price authenticity?
Authenticity is the latest buzzword in tourism. Fed up with mock European resorts; increasingly embarrassed by theatrical performances staged especially for tourists; and curious about different cultures and ways of life tourists want 'real' and authentic experiences – and they are prepared to pay for it.
When cultures collide
Few of us enjoy the feeling of sticking out like a sore thumb when we are on holiday. We giggle about the strange habits of overseas tourists here in the UK, but maybe it’s them laughing at us when we are away on holiday?
Leave only bubbles
It’s a privilege to be able to enter and experience the magical underwater world. However coral reefs around the world are under extreme threat, and if we want to ensure that our kids can enjoy the same wonderful experiences then we need to dive responsibly.
Can tourism save the Great Barrier Reef?
This year coral bleaching has once again returned to the Great Barrier Reef and scientists are concerned that this is the warning that signals the demise of our glorious natural wonder.
The Future for Responsible Tourism in the Galapagos Islands
Tourism in the Galapagos must continue as it is an educational and inspiring place to visit. The important thing will be to manage tourism in order to ensure that the environment is not damaged and that local people benefit from the income that is generated.
Why is it only bad news that makes the headlines?
We are all aware of the influence the media can have in shaping our views of the world, and we ask do the media have a responsibility to the local people as well as their readers?
The 10 myths about responsible travelling
Many people perceive responsible travel to be about paying a lot of money to stay in a mud hut on a deserted island somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Here we take some of the common myths about responsible travel and expose the truth!
Binoculars or beer: a tale of two tourists
Justin Francis argues for authentic experiences while Jeremy Skidmore defends package tours.
General travel
Stay with Count in Transylvania
It was 1987. Ceausescu and his Securitate still had Romania in their clutches; in fact most Romanians at that time probably could not remember life to ever have been different from what it was then.
Deeper Travel
There is something romantic about the traveller. Whether it's the bleached blond surfer or the retired couple travelling in France, the traveller belongs, and ebbs and flows with the rhythm of a place. They are enriched by a journey of discovery.
Visiting tribal cultures
Visiting tribal people has never been more popular. Proud and extravagantly decorated men and women that once only stared out at us from coffee table books, glossy magazines and TV documentaries and now accessible to intrepid travellers and tour companies.
Why wilderness is the new luxury
Tourists seeking to experience some of the world's last wilderness areas are prepared to pay for the privilege of eco-chic lodges and resorts - but wilderness conservation also comes at a price.
Is it time to find your Shangri-La?
Perched on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, the landlocked Kingdom of Nepal is as ethnically diverse as it is naturally. With its rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and the highest mountain peaks in the world, Nepal has long exerted a pull on travellers’ imaginations.
Nepal, back on the tourism map
There is an air of relief among the Nepalese people. Lasting peace is in sight.
Planning a trip but don’t know where to start?
Do you feel daunted by the prospect of planning your next holiday - overloaded with information, destinations and glossy images? We have compiled a few simple steps to guide you and help you find out what is the right trip for you.
The rise of specialist tour operators
As the ‘Big 4’ of tour operators are now down to 3, are we witnessing a further decline of mass tourism and the rise of specialist tour operators?
Disabled travelling
Holidays From a Chair - A Different Perspective by Trevor Herdman.
Child sex tourism
The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism (the Code) is a project joining the tourism private sector and the children's rights non-governmental organization ECPAT, aiming to prevent sexual exploitation of children at tourism destinations.
Independent travel in Australia
Australia is the independent traveller’s playground, and to highlight our new independent travel section on responsibletravel.com, we have put together a Queensland itinerary as an example of the sort of thing you can do when travelling independently in Australia...
Honeymoons with a heart
If you're thinking about weddings you're probably also dreaming about honeymoons, in which case responsibletravel.com can help you out.
Diving Colombia's Treasure Islands
A full moon paints a brilliant, if indistinct, white flag on the surface of the ocean as seen from below. But the remarkable beams of moonlight penetrating the gentle waves are not powerful enough to illuminate anything in the profound blackness 15 meters down.
See Wolves, Bison and Lynx in Poland
Pass through the heavy oaken gate into the Strict Nature Reserve (SNR) in Poland's Bialowieza Forest National Park and you step back in time. This is a forest such as you have never seen before, a true fairy tale forest, the Wildwood of 7,000 years ago.
At Home in the Antarctic
Deep in the Southern Ocean, windswept and craggy, lie the Sub Antarctic Islands. A grouping of tiny outcrops doing little to stop the howling gales and tempestuous seas which characterise this part of the globe, the islands are one of the least visited and most under-rated destinations in the world.
Alternatives to the big icons
You may have always dreamt of, or are planning visiting one of the world’s major icons, but chances are you won’t be the only person there admiring it. However there is no need to beat or brave the crowds if you choose an alternative approach.
Why not think about holidaying in the UK?
With the increased concern about flying, UK holidays are enjoying somewhat of a comeback. Having come a long way since the Victorian era when people first started holidaying, there is now a lot more to a holiday in the British Isles than Butlins and building sand castles at Skegness.
Volunteering
Change your life and take a career break
Hang on to that holiday feeling and make a decision that will change your life.
A taste of volunteering, by Justin Francis
If you are interested in volunteering to work with communities in need, or in wildlife conservation, but are unable to take very long periods off work then there is a new type of trip – a taste of volunteering – that might be of interest for you.
Family
Baby on board
The thing that worried me most about becoming a dad (bulging nappies aside), was the thought of kissing those exotic long-haul holidays goodbye in favour of a nice day out at the local country park and visiting the grandparents – “yours or mine this weekend?”.
Adventuring with kids…You can do it
You've done a lot in your young life. You've backpacked through Europe, trekked in the Peruvian Andes, explored the Yucatán, and much more. Understandably, when you decide that it's time to have a family, fear and indecision strike intermittently as you wonder, "will I ever travel again?"
Booking a family resort
As the parents of young children planning your holiday inevitably means putting the kid's needs first and your own desires second. Increasingly nowadays, though, you'll find it needn't be that way. There are a swarm of hotels and resorts that offer something for every member of the family.
Camping with kids
It is a shame that once children arrive on the scene, plenty of once intrepid campers seem reluctant to venture far from home. Parents face a common dilemma. Whilst there is no doubt getting the kids outdoors can make for lifelong memories - the question is, will they be good memories?
Read the real experiences of trail blazing families
Are you worried about taking the family to distant continents for a really amazing adventure? Taking your family to far-flung destinations can be a daunting prospect, but whatever the make up of your family there are many who have blazed a trail before you.
Our guide to family holidays
Don’t stay at home just because you’ve got youngsters! Travelling with kids can be stressful, let alone ensuring they (and you!) enjoy themselves while on holiday, but don’t let this put you off planning a holiday for the entire family.
Mighty man
There's nothing like two guys with a common interest chatting away. Fast cars, football, actually, no, in this case alligators. And it seemed to make no difference at all that whilst one of the guys (ie. George) was just 5 years old, his new soul mate was pushing 55.
Top tips for family holidays
we have compiled our top ten tips on travelling with children, as well as helpful advice from other parents, to help you plan your family trip and make the most of travelling with your little ones.
Reviews
The not so great white hunter
Laurens Van der Post, Willard Price and Wilbur Smith have a lot to answer for. As a small boy I read with great excitement about African adventures, and most of all about how tribal Africans - particularly the San (or bushmen) - could live at one with nature moving effortlessly through the bush only what they needed.
Walking with the Maasai
Removed from their land in 1974 to create the famous Masai Mara National Game Reserve the Maasai community are fighting back with innovative tourism ventures developed in partnership with responsible tourism businesses.
Sea kayaking in the land of the Pterodactyls
Limestone cliffs familiar from James Bond movies rise vertically out of turquoise waters in Phalong Bay, 30 minutes in a long tail boat from Phuket in Thailand.Judging the tides with the help of legendary Hawaiian kayak guide John Gray and local guide Pong – a former fisherman from the local village who John recruited and trained – we paddle towards the caves at the cliff base.
Sea kayaking in Scotland
My holiday was in the Outer Hebrides – a wonderful, awe inspiring and educational 7 days. The scenery was magnificent but one the most memorable experience for me was sharing it with five others that were just as impressed with both the location and history of the area as I was.
Iceland weekend adventure holiday
Last February I wanted a weekend with a difference. I wanted to experience a country I hadn't visited before, I wanted a new challenge, experience a new culture, and have fun! After reading about the Iceland weekend adventure holiday on the site I was sold.
Exploring Mercantour
Escape the hustle and bustle and take some time out in the Mercantour National Park, a delightfully secluded corner of France.
The Maldives by Electra Gillies
The first time I visited these enigmatic islands that stretch over the Indian Ocean I was nine years old.
Adrenaline bride
Where in the world does an adventure travel addict take his bride on honeymoon?
Trans-Siberian Railway
The Tran-Siberian Railway is the ultimate rail journey, the longest in the world, possibly the coldest if you go at the wrong time of year and the only journey that travels in two continents in a single journey, while staying in the same country.
Fragile mountains, by Tessa McGregor
Tessa McGregor joins an expedition to survey snow leopards and other animals in the mountains of the Altai Republic, Central Asia.
Winter sun in the Gambia
I had always wanted to visit the tropics and when we decided to catch some winter sun, the Gambia - being only a 6 hour flight from the UK - seemed the perfect choice.
Learning to dive in the red sea
My brother is a keen scuba diver, and has been urging me to learn for years, but as a nervous snorkeller (I hate the water flooding down and the feeling of claustrophobia!), it was never high on my priority list.
Dahab dive sites
Whether novice or pro, the Red Sea offers diving for all, and this, the second of my reports, gives you an idea of the dive sites around Dahab.
The human rights trail by Laureen Gillam
Saigon to Phnom Pemh: The human rights trail.
A Mercantour adventure
By Catherine Farrell, responsibletravel.com holiday winner.Responsibletravel.com offers every traveller who makes a booking through us the opportunity to enter our draw to win a holiday.
Flying colours in the rainforests of Trinidad and Tobago
Darlington Chance saunters towards us just before 7am. We are caught without time for breakfast as we hoped he would follow Tobagonian custom by arriving at least half an hour late. Darlington is Tobago's only Rastafarian guide.
Expedition to Expedition
Despite badly made tea and an un-useable gas stove, Shaun O'Dowd revels in a camping expedition to a remote Queensland national park.
Sailing the Labrador
We’re aboard the good ship, anchored snugly in in Shoal Bay on the south central coast of Labrador. The wind is blasting over the vessel at 50-55 knots and, much to my relief, the anchor is securely set. It is 4 pm and the clouds are speeding by close overhead.
Tanzania volunteering
My project was a renovation of Sinai Primary School, serving roughly 600 students in only 5 classrooms. The school was about 2 miles from town, so every morning my guide and I rode our bicycles down to the job site.
My tour to the Amazing Kingdom of Thailand
I had the best experience and most exciting tour in Thailand, which I will always live to remember, and greatly treasure. My first visit was to Bangkok – Capital City of Thailand.
Selenkay Conservancy, Amboseli, Kenya
Dan Stiles visits and evaluates the fortunes of a private wildlife conservation area in Kenya - Selenkay
Fitness holidays
My wild quest for super-fitness By Ian Belcher. A two-week work out in Kenya, can leave you sweating like John Prescott in a sauna.
Swimming with wild dolphins
I must admit that part of the reason I chose to book the Swimming with Dolphins in Marsa Alam holiday was because it was the cheapest holiday I could find where swimming with dolphins was involved! It was an added bonus that it was based in an environmentally-friendly, ecological centre.
Sri Lanka from the Inside
Our attention turned to Sri Lanka which seemed to offer an extraordinary variety of natural and manmade attractions in a small island.
Where shall we travel now? Adventures in Thailand and Laos
This was the dilemma that faced my boyfriend and me as we stood at the Bangkok Airways check in desk at the start of our two-week holiday in Thailand and Laos. Our flight to Luang Prabang had been cancelled due to heavy monsoonal rains and there were to be no more departures for at least the next two or three days.
Exploring Vietnam
The gentle rocking of our carriage came to a gradual stop as the long whistle of the train announced our arrival into Lao Cai. Peering out the window of our cozy berth, my traveling partner, Ramona, and I witnessed the deep pink of a dawning sky as the sun rose to burn off the morning mist.
Northern Exposure trip to India
My introduction to a nine day tour of North India felt like having my face held at the mouth of an exhaust pipe. Everything about Delhi is a shock to the system. The dirt, the noise the traffic – combined they make London seem a Suffolk village in comparison.
Top tips from fellow travellers
Every day we receive some extraordinary comments from people who have been on one of our holidays. It’s impossible to show them all, but we have decided to share some of the best tips with you.
Accommodation
Restoration accommodation...the rest is history
One of the greenest ways to create a new hotel can be not to build one at all. Staying in a restored building can be a unique experience and in the process you will be helping to preserve the character and distinct culture associated with such buildings.
Cool Kenyan lodges
It has been said that Kenya is the Mzee, or respected old man, of ecotourism. However, too often local communities face the costs associated with preserving Kenya's majestic wildlife without seeing any of the benefits from the so called ecotourism on which it largely depends.
10 ways to tell if your eco-lodge is really an eco-lodge
'Eco' and 'eco-lodges' have become buzzwords used by both terrific organisations dedicated to conservation and benefitting local people, and those seeking to exploit its marketing potential for economic gain with little or no regard for destinations.
Community
What is community based tourism?
Community based tourism is tourism in which local residents (often rural, poor and economically marginalised) invite tourists to visit their communities with the provision of overnight accommodation.
Go on safari in Zambia & help support a communityy
Justin Francis from responsibletravel.com sets out to discover if it possible to enjoy one of the most authentic luxury bush camp safaris in Africa and to help reduce poverty at the same time.
Getting behind Community Based Tourism
responsibletravel.com and Conservation International have joined forces to promote a new type of tourism that is changing the way we travel.
Village India, a new concept in Indian tourism
A herd of buffalo wandered back from the fields, followed by women in brightly coloured saris, water gourds balanced on their elegant heads. Blue jays darted overhead as smoke rose from the cooking fires and aromatic smells filled the air.
Gaia Women
A group of local women formed a cooperative "Gaia" to prepare and sell traditional culinary specialties unique to this area. Today, their membership has increased to 40 women and their services have expanded throughout the region.
Wildlife
Watching wildlife the responsible way
The thrill of watching animals in the wild has gained widespread popularity, especially in the tourism industry. Our resident Zoologist Holly Foat looks at the impact this may have on wildlife and provides tips on how to watch wildlife the responsible way.
Can wildlife tourism help conserve our endangered species?
Wildlife watching holidays often focus on the iconic species such as whales, tigers and polar bears, many of which are often the most threatened. So can wildlife tourism help conserve our endangered species?
Animal welfare issues in tourism
Animal welfare is often overlooked, so here we’re going to take a look at how animal welfare should be considered by travellers and what Born Free, a UK based animal welfare charity, are doing to raise awareness of these issues.
Travellers trips for animal friendly holidays
When on holiday it’s important to consider the welfare of the animals and wildlife in the host country. Our friends at Born Free, an international wildlife charity working to prevent animal suffering and protect wildlife in the wild, have helped us to compile this list of tips to help you have an animal friendly holiday.
Which is the biggest killer, climate change or the hunters?
Polar bears are commonly used by the media to illustrate the effect of climate change in polar regions but we ask is the biggest threat to polar bears really climate change or the hunters?
Wildlife tourism in Kenya
The civil unrest in Kenya at the beginning of 2008 will undoubtedly have had a severe impact on tourism to the country. This will have been a major blow for the countries economy but also for the countries wildlife. Our friends at the Born Free Foundation tell us why…
About to go on holiday? Think twice about your souvenirs
If you’re about to go away for your holidays soon and you think you will probably come home with a few souvenirs then read on. Our friends at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) have told us why it’s so important that you should think twice about what you bring home with you.
Risks in animal interaction
Our friends at the Born Free foundation are concerned with the welfare of these animals and also with the welfare of the tourists which is why they have helped us give you this information about the risks involved with interacting with animals and what you can do to help.
Turtles and tourism
They may have outlived the mass-extinction of dinosaurs, but sea turtles face a new threat: tourism.
The beaches of Crete – a Greek tragedy
Few tourists to Crete realise that when they book their package to a beach resort, they may be supporting one of the major contributing factors to the demise of the Mediterranean Loggerhead sea turtle, which has its major nesting areas in the world on Greece’s beaches.
Our monthly guide to watching wildlife
From watching penguins to tracking bears, the wonderful world of wildlife offers something to inspire us all year round. You don’t need to be an enthusiast to be able to enjoy a wildlife holiday, and there are often plenty of opportunities for exploring the local culture, relaxing and meeting new friends.
Swimming with dolphins – the experience of a lifetime?
For many people swimming with dolphins is a lifelong ambition and dream, but does fulfilling this dream come at too high a price?
Swimming with Sharks
There is an increasing trend among adrenaline junkies and wildlife enthusiasts to swim with the ultimate predator. But is cage diving with sharks an ethical way to see one of the world’s protected species?
Breakfast With The Birds
Andy struts arrogantly across the restaurant floor, eyeballing numerous diners who have entered his domain before selecting a German couple in the corner.
Think Twice: If the buying stops, the killing will too!
Millions of people fly out of the UK each summer in search of sun and relaxation. And many thousands come home with illegal souvenirs made from animal parts - often with no idea that they have done anything wrong.
White Lions - Guardians of Africa’s Gold
The White Lions are South Africa's pride and joy, our living national treasure. Or so they should be. All over the African continent, from Egypt in the North to Bushmanland in the South, legends of the White Lions existence grace ancient oral traditions and cave paintings.
Bird watching in Sri Lanka
I had never previously given any thought to visiting this tropical island just off the south east coast of India. A quick look on the ‘net told me that there are over 400 bird species (26 endemic species, and over 70 endemic sub-species), (endemic meaning found nowhere else), a large range of mammals from elephants to leopard to mongoose and it is also described as a “global hot spot” for reptiles.
Top 10 wildlife experiences
We have hundreds of wildlife holidays for you to chose from whether you want to go on a bear watching holiday or a snow leopard tracking trip. But to help you find the perfect holiday for you we have picked our top ten wildlife watching experiences from around the world.
Whale watching & swimming with the amazing humpback whale
Whale watching is becoming increasingly popular and we believe it’s a great way to show that whales are a valuable asset to the tourism industry and should be protected. In this article, our friends at WhaleSwim Adventures share their thoughts and discuss the threats to humpback whales.
Our campaigns
How responsible are cruise liners?
The cruise industry has been ignoring its responsibilities in local destinations for too long. Here, we examine the evidence clearly showing cruising as the bad boys of travel.
Is it ethical to travel to Burma?
Tourism to Burma (or Myanmar) has however been widely linked to human rights abuse, and the country's pro-democracy leader and Nobel prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists to stay away - a boycott that has been supported by the international community.
Fly me to the moon - but switch off the TV first!
The current media focus on environmental issues, while very welcome and long overdue, has led to a lot of bad press for flying. Some might argue that this is a good thing, but it has left the general public with a somewhat skewed view of the impact of flying and many now feel guilty about taking a holiday that involves a flight.
About responsibletravel.com
Responsible travel and responsible tourism
Responsible travel is a new way of travelling for those who've had enough of mass tourism. It's about respecting and benefiting local people and the environment – but it's about far more than that.
The people behind responsibletravel.com
We believe that responsible tourism is as much about people as it is about destinations so we thought it was about time we introduced ourselves and told you a little bit about what we do.
What makes our holidays better?
We are often asked how ‘responsible’ holidays stand apart from normal holidays. Well, in a nutshell, these are more authentic holidays that offer experiences that - contrary to the sometimes artificial confinements of mass tourism - respectfully explore the natural environment and local culture of a destination.
Q & A with co-founder of responsibletravel.com, Justin Francis
Every day we're delighted to get phone calls and emails from newspapers and magazines keen to find out more about responsibletravel.com. We find that some questions come up a lot more frequently than others so we thought we'd publish the answers here for everyone to read our responses in a Q & A with Justin Francis.
Supporting local businesses: How your holidays help
Here’s a chance to see the other side of responsible holidays. We have asked some of our operators what responsibletravel.com membership has meant to their business.
Happy birthday responsibletravel.com
In April 2001, following some entrepreneurial advice from Anita Roddick, Justin Francis launched responsibletravel.com. Today he reflects on the progress of the responsible tourism movement and his hopes for the future.
An unusual Wednesday for the responsibletravel.com team
It’s not everyday that you find a group of account managers, customer service advisors, project managers, web editors and company directors out of the office, covered in mud and digging holes in the Sussex countryside.
A day at Lewes Local Nature Reserve in the rain
We at responsibletravel.com tend to talk a lot about what travellers can do to benefit their travel destination and we like to offer advice on the best way to minimise impacts and how to support conservation projects. But we’re not all talk and last week we braved the rain to stop talking and take some action...
Issues in responsible travel
Can a holiday be responsible if you need to fly to get there?
While responsible holidays are attracting increasing attention, is it responsible to book one if you need to fly to the holiday destination?
Flying in the face of global warming - to fly or not to fly?
The knives are out for air travel, but should people really stop flying altogether and are people really going to listen?
Heathrow aviation campaign
This week environmental campaigners gather at Heathrow. Many of them seem to feel that all flying is bad. Of course that's wrong, but no more wrong that our Government who continue to plan for a doubling of UK flights (which flies in the face of Co2 reduction targets).
Ultimate ice-breakers – the future of tourism in the polar regions
We ask if we should be travelling to the polar regions, or if these fragile areas should be left pristine.
Road to Everestland: a road to disaster?
China’s plans to build a road to the Everest slopes to open the area up to tourism, despite fears that Everest is already overcrowded, has caused controversy around the world.
Should all inclusive holidays be banned?
Saint or sinner? Do all inclusive holidays provide a much needed break for millions of families on a tight budget and employment for local people - or deny local communities a fair share of tourism revenues? Was the Gambia right to attempt to ban all inclusive holidays?
The responsible tourism movement
With the increased awareness of the (good and bad) effects tourism can have on our planet, the ‘responsible travel’ movement is gathering pace around the world too. Since our launch 6 years ago, those of us have argued that tourism needs to be re-invented for the long term benefit of everyone; local people, the environment, tourists, and not least the tourism industry itself have gathered momentum.
Think all you leave is tracks on the snow?
What could be more sustainable than skiing? All you leave behind is tracks in the snow - right? At first glance skiing might appear highly sustainable, but in fact there are some very significant environmental and cultural impacts.
Saving the Snow
Mark Lynas suggests how you can do your bit to ensure that you can have your snow and ski on it too.
Melting Away
With ski season becoming shorter and less predictable and glaciers in retreat, it seems that global warming has already begun to affect winter tourism. Mark Lynas reports on a shrinking industry.
Kilimanjaro porters need better care
Those who have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro know that the porters are the heart and soul of your trek. Without their hard work and strength we would not be able to fully experience the magnificence of Kili. But the truth is porters are often impoverished Tanzanians who depend on this labor-intensive employment in order to feed themselves and their families.
Mountain porters and guides
Its tempting to think of your porters or guides as heroic individuals who trek up Kilimanjaro or to Everest Base Camp carrying two packs, while wearing flip flops and cast off sweaters with no discomfort. Whilst many porters and guides do have indeed have incredible strength and stamina, it is fair or responsible for tourists and tour companies to take advantage of often impoverished local people in this way?
What price authenticity?
Authenticity is the latest buzzword in tourism. Fed up with mock European resorts; increasingly embarrassed by theatrical performances staged especially for tourists; and curious about different cultures and ways of life tourists want 'real' and authentic experiences – and they are prepared to pay for it.
When cultures collide
Few of us enjoy the feeling of sticking out like a sore thumb when we are on holiday. We giggle about the strange habits of overseas tourists here in the UK, but maybe it’s them laughing at us when we are away on holiday?
Leave only bubbles
It’s a privilege to be able to enter and experience the magical underwater world. However coral reefs around the world are under extreme threat, and if we want to ensure that our kids can enjoy the same wonderful experiences then we need to dive responsibly.
Can tourism save the Great Barrier Reef?
This year coral bleaching has once again returned to the Great Barrier Reef and scientists are concerned that this is the warning that signals the demise of our glorious natural wonder.
The Future for Responsible Tourism in the Galapagos Islands
Tourism in the Galapagos must continue as it is an educational and inspiring place to visit. The important thing will be to manage tourism in order to ensure that the environment is not damaged and that local people benefit from the income that is generated.
Why is it only bad news that makes the headlines?
We are all aware of the influence the media can have in shaping our views of the world, and we ask do the media have a responsibility to the local people as well as their readers?
The 10 myths about responsible travelling
Many people perceive responsible travel to be about paying a lot of money to stay in a mud hut on a deserted island somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Here we take some of the common myths about responsible travel and expose the truth!
Binoculars or beer: a tale of two tourists
Justin Francis argues for authentic experiences while Jeremy Skidmore defends package tours.
General travel
Stay with Count in Transylvania
It was 1987. Ceausescu and his Securitate still had Romania in their clutches; in fact most Romanians at that time probably could not remember life to ever have been different from what it was then.
Deeper Travel
There is something romantic about the traveller. Whether it's the bleached blond surfer or the retired couple travelling in France, the traveller belongs, and ebbs and flows with the rhythm of a place. They are enriched by a journey of discovery.
Visiting tribal cultures
Visiting tribal people has never been more popular. Proud and extravagantly decorated men and women that once only stared out at us from coffee table books, glossy magazines and TV documentaries and now accessible to intrepid travellers and tour companies.
Why wilderness is the new luxury
Tourists seeking to experience some of the world's last wilderness areas are prepared to pay for the privilege of eco-chic lodges and resorts - but wilderness conservation also comes at a price.
Is it time to find your Shangri-La?
Perched on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, the landlocked Kingdom of Nepal is as ethnically diverse as it is naturally. With its rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and the highest mountain peaks in the world, Nepal has long exerted a pull on travellers’ imaginations.
Nepal, back on the tourism map
There is an air of relief among the Nepalese people. Lasting peace is in sight.
Planning a trip but don’t know where to start?
Do you feel daunted by the prospect of planning your next holiday - overloaded with information, destinations and glossy images? We have compiled a few simple steps to guide you and help you find out what is the right trip for you.
The rise of specialist tour operators
As the ‘Big 4’ of tour operators are now down to 3, are we witnessing a further decline of mass tourism and the rise of specialist tour operators?
Disabled travelling
Holidays From a Chair - A Different Perspective by Trevor Herdman.
Child sex tourism
The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism (the Code) is a project joining the tourism private sector and the children's rights non-governmental organization ECPAT, aiming to prevent sexual exploitation of children at tourism destinations.
Independent travel in Australia
Australia is the independent traveller’s playground, and to highlight our new independent travel section on responsibletravel.com, we have put together a Queensland itinerary as an example of the sort of thing you can do when travelling independently in Australia...
Honeymoons with a heart
If you're thinking about weddings you're probably also dreaming about honeymoons, in which case responsibletravel.com can help you out.
Diving Colombia's Treasure Islands
A full moon paints a brilliant, if indistinct, white flag on the surface of the ocean as seen from below. But the remarkable beams of moonlight penetrating the gentle waves are not powerful enough to illuminate anything in the profound blackness 15 meters down.
See Wolves, Bison and Lynx in Poland
Pass through the heavy oaken gate into the Strict Nature Reserve (SNR) in Poland's Bialowieza Forest National Park and you step back in time. This is a forest such as you have never seen before, a true fairy tale forest, the Wildwood of 7,000 years ago.
At Home in the Antarctic
Deep in the Southern Ocean, windswept and craggy, lie the Sub Antarctic Islands. A grouping of tiny outcrops doing little to stop the howling gales and tempestuous seas which characterise this part of the globe, the islands are one of the least visited and most under-rated destinations in the world.
Alternatives to the big icons
You may have always dreamt of, or are planning visiting one of the world’s major icons, but chances are you won’t be the only person there admiring it. However there is no need to beat or brave the crowds if you choose an alternative approach.
Why not think about holidaying in the UK?
With the increased concern about flying, UK holidays are enjoying somewhat of a comeback. Having come a long way since the Victorian era when people first started holidaying, there is now a lot more to a holiday in the British Isles than Butlins and building sand castles at Skegness.
Volunteering
Change your life and take a career break
Hang on to that holiday feeling and make a decision that will change your life.
A taste of volunteering, by Justin Francis
If you are interested in volunteering to work with communities in need, or in wildlife conservation, but are unable to take very long periods off work then there is a new type of trip – a taste of volunteering – that might be of interest for you.
Family
Baby on board
The thing that worried me most about becoming a dad (bulging nappies aside), was the thought of kissing those exotic long-haul holidays goodbye in favour of a nice day out at the local country park and visiting the grandparents – “yours or mine this weekend?”.
Adventuring with kids…You can do it
You've done a lot in your young life. You've backpacked through Europe, trekked in the Peruvian Andes, explored the Yucatán, and much more. Understandably, when you decide that it's time to have a family, fear and indecision strike intermittently as you wonder, "will I ever travel again?"
Booking a family resort
As the parents of young children planning your holiday inevitably means putting the kid's needs first and your own desires second. Increasingly nowadays, though, you'll find it needn't be that way. There are a swarm of hotels and resorts that offer something for every member of the family.
Camping with kids
It is a shame that once children arrive on the scene, plenty of once intrepid campers seem reluctant to venture far from home. Parents face a common dilemma. Whilst there is no doubt getting the kids outdoors can make for lifelong memories - the question is, will they be good memories?
Read the real experiences of trail blazing families
Are you worried about taking the family to distant continents for a really amazing adventure? Taking your family to far-flung destinations can be a daunting prospect, but whatever the make up of your family there are many who have blazed a trail before you.
Our guide to family holidays
Don’t stay at home just because you’ve got youngsters! Travelling with kids can be stressful, let alone ensuring they (and you!) enjoy themselves while on holiday, but don’t let this put you off planning a holiday for the entire family.
Mighty man
There's nothing like two guys with a common interest chatting away. Fast cars, football, actually, no, in this case alligators. And it seemed to make no difference at all that whilst one of the guys (ie. George) was just 5 years old, his new soul mate was pushing 55.
Top tips for family holidays
we have compiled our top ten tips on travelling with children, as well as helpful advice from other parents, to help you plan your family trip and make the most of travelling with your little ones.
Reviews
The not so great white hunter
Laurens Van der Post, Willard Price and Wilbur Smith have a lot to answer for. As a small boy I read with great excitement about African adventures, and most of all about how tribal Africans - particularly the San (or bushmen) - could live at one with nature moving effortlessly through the bush only what they needed.
Walking with the Maasai
Removed from their land in 1974 to create the famous Masai Mara National Game Reserve the Maasai community are fighting back with innovative tourism ventures developed in partnership with responsible tourism businesses.
Sea kayaking in the land of the Pterodactyls
Limestone cliffs familiar from James Bond movies rise vertically out of turquoise waters in Phalong Bay, 30 minutes in a long tail boat from Phuket in Thailand.Judging the tides with the help of legendary Hawaiian kayak guide John Gray and local guide Pong – a former fisherman from the local village who John recruited and trained – we paddle towards the caves at the cliff base.
Sea kayaking in Scotland
My holiday was in the Outer Hebrides – a wonderful, awe inspiring and educational 7 days. The scenery was magnificent but one the most memorable experience for me was sharing it with five others that were just as impressed with both the location and history of the area as I was.
Iceland weekend adventure holiday
Last February I wanted a weekend with a difference. I wanted to experience a country I hadn't visited before, I wanted a new challenge, experience a new culture, and have fun! After reading about the Iceland weekend adventure holiday on the site I was sold.
Exploring Mercantour
Escape the hustle and bustle and take some time out in the Mercantour National Park, a delightfully secluded corner of France.
The Maldives by Electra Gillies
The first time I visited these enigmatic islands that stretch over the Indian Ocean I was nine years old.
Adrenaline bride
Where in the world does an adventure travel addict take his bride on honeymoon?
Trans-Siberian Railway
The Tran-Siberian Railway is the ultimate rail journey, the longest in the world, possibly the coldest if you go at the wrong time of year and the only journey that travels in two continents in a single journey, while staying in the same country.
Fragile mountains, by Tessa McGregor
Tessa McGregor joins an expedition to survey snow leopards and other animals in the mountains of the Altai Republic, Central Asia.
Winter sun in the Gambia
I had always wanted to visit the tropics and when we decided to catch some winter sun, the Gambia - being only a 6 hour flight from the UK - seemed the perfect choice.
Learning to dive in the red sea
My brother is a keen scuba diver, and has been urging me to learn for years, but as a nervous snorkeller (I hate the water flooding down and the feeling of claustrophobia!), it was never high on my priority list.
Dahab dive sites
Whether novice or pro, the Red Sea offers diving for all, and this, the second of my reports, gives you an idea of the dive sites around Dahab.
The human rights trail by Laureen Gillam
Saigon to Phnom Pemh: The human rights trail.
A Mercantour adventure
By Catherine Farrell, responsibletravel.com holiday winner.Responsibletravel.com offers every traveller who makes a booking through us the opportunity to enter our draw to win a holiday.
Flying colours in the rainforests of Trinidad and Tobago
Darlington Chance saunters towards us just before 7am. We are caught without time for breakfast as we hoped he would follow Tobagonian custom by arriving at least half an hour late. Darlington is Tobago's only Rastafarian guide.
Expedition to Expedition
Despite badly made tea and an un-useable gas stove, Shaun O'Dowd revels in a camping expedition to a remote Queensland national park.
Sailing the Labrador
We’re aboard the good ship, anchored snugly in in Shoal Bay on the south central coast of Labrador. The wind is blasting over the vessel at 50-55 knots and, much to my relief, the anchor is securely set. It is 4 pm and the clouds are speeding by close overhead.
Tanzania volunteering
My project was a renovation of Sinai Primary School, serving roughly 600 students in only 5 classrooms. The school was about 2 miles from town, so every morning my guide and I rode our bicycles down to the job site.
My tour to the Amazing Kingdom of Thailand
I had the best experience and most exciting tour in Thailand, which I will always live to remember, and greatly treasure. My first visit was to Bangkok – Capital City of Thailand.
Selenkay Conservancy, Amboseli, Kenya
Dan Stiles visits and evaluates the fortunes of a private wildlife conservation area in Kenya - Selenkay
Fitness holidays
My wild quest for super-fitness By Ian Belcher. A two-week work out in Kenya, can leave you sweating like John Prescott in a sauna.
Swimming with wild dolphins
I must admit that part of the reason I chose to book the Swimming with Dolphins in Marsa Alam holiday was because it was the cheapest holiday I could find where swimming with dolphins was involved! It was an added bonus that it was based in an environmentally-friendly, ecological centre.
Sri Lanka from the Inside
Our attention turned to Sri Lanka which seemed to offer an extraordinary variety of natural and manmade attractions in a small island.
Where shall we travel now? Adventures in Thailand and Laos
This was the dilemma that faced my boyfriend and me as we stood at the Bangkok Airways check in desk at the start of our two-week holiday in Thailand and Laos. Our flight to Luang Prabang had been cancelled due to heavy monsoonal rains and there were to be no more departures for at least the next two or three days.
Exploring Vietnam
The gentle rocking of our carriage came to a gradual stop as the long whistle of the train announced our arrival into Lao Cai. Peering out the window of our cozy berth, my traveling partner, Ramona, and I witnessed the deep pink of a dawning sky as the sun rose to burn off the morning mist.
Northern Exposure trip to India
My introduction to a nine day tour of North India felt like having my face held at the mouth of an exhaust pipe. Everything about Delhi is a shock to the system. The dirt, the noise the traffic – combined they make London seem a Suffolk village in comparison.
Top tips from fellow travellers
Every day we receive some extraordinary comments from people who have been on one of our holidays. It’s impossible to show them all, but we have decided to share some of the best tips with you.
Accommodation
Restoration accommodation...the rest is history
One of the greenest ways to create a new hotel can be not to build one at all. Staying in a restored building can be a unique experience and in the process you will be helping to preserve the character and distinct culture associated with such buildings.
Cool Kenyan lodges
It has been said that Kenya is the Mzee, or respected old man, of ecotourism. However, too often local communities face the costs associated with preserving Kenya's majestic wildlife without seeing any of the benefits from the so called ecotourism on which it largely depends.
10 ways to tell if your eco-lodge is really an eco-lodge
'Eco' and 'eco-lodges' have become buzzwords used by both terrific organisations dedicated to conservation and benefitting local people, and those seeking to exploit its marketing potential for economic gain with little or no regard for destinations.
Community
What is community based tourism?
Community based tourism is tourism in which local residents (often rural, poor and economically marginalised) invite tourists to visit their communities with the provision of overnight accommodation.
Go on safari in Zambia & help support a communityy
Justin Francis from responsibletravel.com sets out to discover if it possible to enjoy one of the most authentic luxury bush camp safaris in Africa and to help reduce poverty at the same time.
Getting behind Community Based Tourism
responsibletravel.com and Conservation International have joined forces to promote a new type of tourism that is changing the way we travel.
Village India, a new concept in Indian tourism
A herd of buffalo wandered back from the fields, followed by women in brightly coloured saris, water gourds balanced on their elegant heads. Blue jays darted overhead as smoke rose from the cooking fires and aromatic smells filled the air.
Gaia Women
A group of local women formed a cooperative "Gaia" to prepare and sell traditional culinary specialties unique to this area. Today, their membership has increased to 40 women and their services have expanded throughout the region.
Wildlife
Watching wildlife the responsible way
The thrill of watching animals in the wild has gained widespread popularity, especially in the tourism industry. Our resident Zoologist Holly Foat looks at the impact this may have on wildlife and provides tips on how to watch wildlife the responsible way.
Can wildlife tourism help conserve our endangered species?
Wildlife watching holidays often focus on the iconic species such as whales, tigers and polar bears, many of which are often the most threatened. So can wildlife tourism help conserve our endangered species?
Animal welfare issues in tourism
Animal welfare is often overlooked, so here we’re going to take a look at how animal welfare should be considered by travellers and what Born Free, a UK based animal welfare charity, are doing to raise awareness of these issues.
Travellers trips for animal friendly holidays
When on holiday it’s important to consider the welfare of the animals and wildlife in the host country. Our friends at Born Free, an international wildlife charity working to prevent animal suffering and protect wildlife in the wild, have helped us to compile this list of tips to help you have an animal friendly holiday.
Which is the biggest killer, climate change or the hunters?
Polar bears are commonly used by the media to illustrate the effect of climate change in polar regions but we ask is the biggest threat to polar bears really climate change or the hunters?
Wildlife tourism in Kenya
The civil unrest in Kenya at the beginning of 2008 will undoubtedly have had a severe impact on tourism to the country. This will have been a major blow for the countries economy but also for the countries wildlife. Our friends at the Born Free Foundation tell us why…
About to go on holiday? Think twice about your souvenirs
If you’re about to go away for your holidays soon and you think you will probably come home with a few souvenirs then read on. Our friends at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) have told us why it’s so important that you should think twice about what you bring home with you.
Risks in animal interaction
Our friends at the Born Free foundation are concerned with the welfare of these animals and also with the welfare of the tourists which is why they have helped us give you this information about the risks involved with interacting with animals and what you can do to help.
Turtles and tourism
They may have outlived the mass-extinction of dinosaurs, but sea turtles face a new threat: tourism.
The beaches of Crete – a Greek tragedy
Few tourists to Crete realise that when they book their package to a beach resort, they may be supporting one of the major contributing factors to the demise of the Mediterranean Loggerhead sea turtle, which has its major nesting areas in the world on Greece’s beaches.
Our monthly guide to watching wildlife
From watching penguins to tracking bears, the wonderful world of wildlife offers something to inspire us all year round. You don’t need to be an enthusiast to be able to enjoy a wildlife holiday, and there are often plenty of opportunities for exploring the local culture, relaxing and meeting new friends.
Swimming with dolphins – the experience of a lifetime?
For many people swimming with dolphins is a lifelong ambition and dream, but does fulfilling this dream come at too high a price?
Swimming with Sharks
There is an increasing trend among adrenaline junkies and wildlife enthusiasts to swim with the ultimate predator. But is cage diving with sharks an ethical way to see one of the world’s protected species?
Breakfast With The Birds
Andy struts arrogantly across the restaurant floor, eyeballing numerous diners who have entered his domain before selecting a German couple in the corner.
Think Twice: If the buying stops, the killing will too!
Millions of people fly out of the UK each summer in search of sun and relaxation. And many thousands come home with illegal souvenirs made from animal parts - often with no idea that they have done anything wrong.
White Lions - Guardians of Africa’s Gold
The White Lions are South Africa's pride and joy, our living national treasure. Or so they should be. All over the African continent, from Egypt in the North to Bushmanland in the South, legends of the White Lions existence grace ancient oral traditions and cave paintings.
Bird watching in Sri Lanka
I had never previously given any thought to visiting this tropical island just off the south east coast of India. A quick look on the ‘net told me that there are over 400 bird species (26 endemic species, and over 70 endemic sub-species), (endemic meaning found nowhere else), a large range of mammals from elephants to leopard to mongoose and it is also described as a “global hot spot” for reptiles.
Top 10 wildlife experiences
We have hundreds of wildlife holidays for you to chose from whether you want to go on a bear watching holiday or a snow leopard tracking trip. But to help you find the perfect holiday for you we have picked our top ten wildlife watching experiences from around the world.
Whale watching & swimming with the amazing humpback whale
Whale watching is becoming increasingly popular and we believe it’s a great way to show that whales are a valuable asset to the tourism industry and should be protected. In this article, our friends at WhaleSwim Adventures share their thoughts and discuss the threats to humpback whales.