Syria holiday, on the road to Damascus

As a company we aim to encourage interaction with local communities while showing respect for local culture, beliefs and traditions, as well as the importance of respecting the natural surroundings in order to protect places for generations to come. This helps break down cultural barriers and fosters a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.

All accommodation is locally owned and in which you experience great food, most of which is sourced locally. This not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of percolating money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit. Our Tour Leaders are trained by us in the importance of responsible tourism with guidance given on how they can make a difference.

In addition to hoteliers a large number of people benefit from this trip, from restaurateurs to local guides, bus drivers and our local handling agent's staff. This means that unlike a more conventional holiday where you stay in just one place the money we spend contributes towards generating an income for a great number of people. In addition we specify travel by small charter bus, not large coach, thus reducing our impact on the environment. Entrance fees paid contribute towards ongoing maintenance at archaeological sites as well as helping to pay for site staff.

As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost.