Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
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We are committed to running our business and tours in a way that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible. We encourage our guests and suppliers to work with us to travel and operate in a way that conserves and protects the areas we visit and bring positive benefits to local communities. We are therefore committed to continual improvement in our environmental performance, preventing pollution and minimising our effects through a complete programme of annual reviews of our expeditions and try to make our activities environmentally and socially positive.
We do this in a number of ways including:
Socotra is in it’s infancy of tourism, and we have helped to set up in terms of equipment (tents and camping gear) and support some passionate individuals who live in Socotra to enable them to provide the logistics for this unique trip. Our local guide Samed Saleh Baabbad is originally from the island of Socotra and he trained as a local guide by the UNDP - Socotra Conservation and Development Program. All staff including - English translators, cooks, drivers, trekking guides, eco-lodge operators, are from Socotra.
Cultural
The local people warmly welcome any assistance aimed at preserving the integrity of the natural resources they rely upon, their traditions and their biodiversity, while bringing an improvement to their living conditions. By using local services and buying food from local fishermen etc, this trip directly impacts Socotran’s financially and therefore assists with the improvement of living conditions.
Environmental
It is our intention with the help of our local guides to ensure that protecting the unique environment is at the forefront of all our treks and to train our staff to do likewise. The guiding principle of one of leaving the land and natural resources in a better condition than we found them in. Tourism is also important as financial rewards ensure that locals understand the importance of protecting their natural environment.
All participants on these treks and the people we encounter and interact with when travelling will be treated with respect and with understanding of any religious beliefs.
- In 2011, our managing director Philip Beale will lead an exploration expedition to Socotra and will be looking at ways in investing in the protection of the environment through responsible tourism.
- Our commitment to our environmental policy extends to our working environment and all staff recycle and make business decisions with an ethical dimension such as using public transport and maximising the use of email. We are committed to running a business that has as little environmental impact as possible.
- We have ceased having paper brochures printed in 2008.
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!
