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If you’re interested in fair trade and are looking for an opportunity to meet the people behind the products then this is the holiday for you. Global adventures start with a local perspective – that's our philosophy. We focus on creating the most enjoyable holiday for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting the environment.
Traidcraft is the UK's leading fair trade organisation engaged in innovative and effective trade, and has been fighting poverty through trade since 1979. They work at the national and international level advocating changes in trade rules to make them work in the interests of the poor and mobilise public opinion to support fairer trade practices. Traidcraft's sales are now worth more than GB £12 million a year, providing vital income for producers in over 30 countries.
Not only will you spend time with Traidcraft suppliers and other development projects, you will also visit Centre for Education and Communication, a project developed by Traidcraft Exchange. Its aim is to address the issues behind the crisis facing tea workers as tea prices fall and estates close. The project seeks to organise and empower smallholder growers to realise fairer terms of trade within the industry through domestic market assessment, business support, and advocacy aimed at improved legislation in the industry.
Working with our local partner, on fair trade terms, this itinerary offers an opportunity to see first hand how fair trade works in India’s tea industry and how Traidcraft’s effective sustainable trading and development projects can improve the lives of the local people while providing a general insight into different areas of India, its culture and its people.
Having lunch with the farmers and spending time living in the village of Thrikkaipetta, you participate and connect with the local culture providing a richer holiday experience. Accompanied by your intensely knowledgeable guide Ranjith, he will ensure that you experience India for its people and place.
Spending time in carefully selected hotels, private homes and project facilities we make sure that the local communities benefit directly. The range of accommodation on this trip is designed to give you a sense of the history and culture of the area as well as the modern way of life. By collaborating with locally based people when visiting different areas we are able to contribute to the regional economy.
We provide guests with Travellers’ Codes to encourage the reduction of water usage, systems for collecting, recycling or safe disposal of litter and relevant suggestions to minimise damage to the environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems. All our holidays have a maximum group size of 12 to 14 people minimizing both the social and environmental impact. There is also the option to carbon-offset your flights.
Voted one of the Best Tour Operators in two categories in the Guardian / Observer Travel Awards 2010.
Voted in February 2010, by The Guardian newspapers list of experts as one of the top 75 outstanding green travel companies in the Guardian Green Travel List 2010.
Fair trade is at the heart of how this tour company operates, their principles include paying a fair price for services and developing long term relationships with their partners. These enlightening trips create real connections between travellers and the communities they visit. Guests get to see how certain products are made, who grows the coffee they drink or weaves the basket that sits on their mantelpiece, and the producers really enjoy seeing the people who buy their wares and how valued their products are. All tours are set up in conjunction with local guides who really know how to best showcase their country.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
