Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
 One of the greatest misconceptions we face is that responsible travel is expensive, but it truly doesn’t have to be. The key to responsible tourism is in providing authentic holiday experiences that bring you closer to the local people and environment of your chosen destination. Whether you want to relax on a beach in Spain or trek across the Andes, taking a responsible attitude towards your holiday means maximizing the benefits of tourism and reducing the negative impacts. Either way, travelling with a conscience shouldn’t cost you more. At responsibletravel.com we have a huge range of holidays to suit all budgets. How about uncovering the magic of Thailand on a 9 day tour from just £550? Visit the highlights of Italy on a 15 day tour from just £1655 or take a classic trip on this Peru & Inca trail holiday from £695. Whatever you want to do your holiday can incorporate great fun and responsible travel without stretching your budget. |
|
| Fairer for local communities On an average all-inclusive holiday, 89% of the money spent stays in the UK with the operator, the air carrier, insurance cover, commissions and the travel agency. Of the remaining 11%, the hotel gets just 3%. You can imagine how much is left in for the staff in the hotels. (source: Tourism Concern) Responsible holidays ensure that more of the money spent goes directly into supporting the local community, paying a fair wage to hotel staff and guides and often supporting community projects. Staying in this Samoa beach resort for just £12 a night isn’t just great value but you know that the food you are eating has been bought from local families and you can help to preserve the culture by learning traditional practises such as basket weaving and the making of coconut oil. |
Where does the money go?
Out of every £1 spent on an average package holiday to Kenya the Masai community, whose lands are used for the safari, receive nothing. See where the money goes on a graph here (Source: Tourism Concern) In contrast, responsibletravel.com makes sure that their members are supporting the local communities they visit. |
There are loads of unusual places to stay too where you can really get to know a place and a community and make a difference just by being there. Staying in a community camp in Uganda from just £2 a night generates much needed income for local schools and clinics as well as the community women’s group. You can experience traditional Batwa dancing and the delicious local cuisine under an African sun for less than the price of a coffee and still know that you are benefiting the local people. |
|
| Go green! Responsible travel is about minimizing negative environmental impacts too. A single luxury hotel in a Third World country can use up to 66,000 gallons of water a day. (The Independent). All our members on responsibletravel.com have their own environmental policies in place which include everything from solar powered heated swimming pools to grey water irrigation schemes and recycled office stationary. You can stay in this Dades valley kasbah between the Atlas Mountains and the Saghro deserts from just £18 per night without costing the Earth! There are lots of great value responsible holidays closer to home as well like this hostel and tipi campsite in Norfolk where you can stay from just £5 a night or this retro caravan park in Kent from just £13 a night. Choosing to holiday in the UK can be great fun and without the flight the cost of travel is lighter for both you and the environment. |
Fast facts
|
...and, of course, amazing experiences What you get from responsible travel is a holiday run by real experts in their field, people who are passionate about what they do and how they do it. “The fact that our tour guides, cooks, and drivers were all Kenyans gave us extended opportunity to get to know local people” Jean Rains You get a local distinctive experience and the chance to discover a destination without also destroying the things that make it unique. “Our sunset boat trip on the River Nila helped us develop a deeper appreciation of the river as a life-source to the region and an understanding of the urgency of protecting its diminishing waters” Allison Neeland It really can be the little details that count and make your holiday special and this is what responsible holidays offer in abundance. “One particularly memorable experience would be getting up at the crack of dawn, taking pictures of the sun as it rose and being privileged to witness 4 baby turtles being helped out of their nest” Samantha Craig And there really is no reason why taking a fantastic holiday with the local people and environment in mind shouldn’t also be great value for you.  Take a look at our great value accommodations and small group holidays Need help finding a great value holiday? Contact our helpdesk at amelia@responsibletravel.com |
|
