Via Francigena walking holiday, Montefiacone to Rome, Italy
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Each tour package consists of a standard set of services. Each of these has been examined to ensure that responsible tourism and environmental standards have been considered. We ensure that the environmental, social, cultural, economic and aesthetic needs and expectations of the community and our customers are included in our policies, plans and decisions and result in the provision of quality goods and services.
We provide a positive environmental impact by:
Using local operators and where this is not possible using contacts that operate responsibly utilising a local workforce;
Paying a fair price everywhere that we go;
Training and briefing all Ireland and overseas staff on company Ethical Policy;
Ensuring suppliers and Project Partners are fully aware of our Ethical Policy and that they adhere to it where possible;
Ensuring all of our new projects are researched fully taking local economic and cultural considerations into account. Ensuring that the type and scale of impact is appropriate to local conditions;
All groups limited to an appropriate number for that Holiday, e.g. 16 for a guided Holiday.
Accommodation
We stay in accommodations on the way of various and different standards due to the great size of the area covered. We make sure to use the best combination of 1, 2, 3 stars accommodations depending on local infrastructure and availability;
We select our accommodations in preference order ranking accommodations on their character, charm, staff friendliness, food quality and originality;
We encourage our accommodation providers to recycle and to use energy responsibly by distributing a document to this effect at the start of the season;
We encourage our clients only to request new towels if required, otherwise linen will usually be changed once a week, and towels twice a week, thereby reducing the amount of detergent and energy used in laundering.
Water bottle
We encourage our clients to use a plastic bottle for the duration of their holiday or to use special reusable containers such as camel bags etc.
Holiday Packs
Printed on recycled paper, double sided, and containing information to enable our clients to experience the maximum enjoyment and understanding from the area with the minimum impact.
We will also supply our clients with suggestions on how to reduce water use, and with how to minimise any damage to the environment and wildlife during their stay.
The Holiday Pack will include a summary of any relevant social/political details of each region, such as the fact that the Galician region has recently moved to the left and has broaden its participation on Camino communication outside of Galicia itself.
Our Holiday pack inform people on water points, local bars and restaurant along the way reducing the disposable food and beverage needs and encouraging them to stop by the local food shops and restaurants. For example encouraging people to try the white Alvarino wine in the south of Santiago de Compostela.
Dinners we do include the dinner in our packages apart from the first and last night to get people to eat in the local restaurant on the way but giving freedom to try on other foods and specialities on arrival and departure nights.
Community
Travellers Code of Conduct
All guests are given pre-trip confirmation packages about their upcoming holiday. Each package includes accurate information about the area they are travelling to, suggested packing details, best way to get to there staring point and leaving their holiday, places of interest along the way and around the itinerary.
Guests are instructed on water consumption at inns for showers and baths.
Guests are encouraged to use only reusable water containers
Guests are instructed on trail etiquette during their orientation and are advised on Leave No Trace principles.
Guests are encouraged to participate in local festivals and events that will enhance their cultural understanding of the local people.
Guests are encouraged to buy local, fresh, organic and fair trade goods and services.
Guide Code of Conduct
Guides maintain a professional, positive and respectful attitude in all communications and dealings with the local people and businesses.
Guides maintain a strong leadership role and model correct behaviours in regards to responsibilities to the environment and local culture.
Guides educate and ensure the environmental awareness of the group.
Guides are ambassadors for the region, culture and customs.
Guides are prepared to interpret the natural environment to create awareness and identify opportunities of self-discovery for guests.
Guides ensure that guests are properly prepared for their environment and travels to minimize the possibility of use of short-cuts or emergency evacuation.
Guides re-use and recycle wherever possible.
Trail Code of Conduct
We discourage guests from picking flora or removing anything from its place in nature.
We educate on all species at risk in the local environment.
We use way marked trails for the vast majority in respect with local walking offices recommendations;
We will not use trails that have been damaged naturally (ie. rain, wind, water).
We support local volunteer groups that protect and maintain local trail systems.
We only use existing trails that have approval for public use by the local community.
We practice Leave no Trace Principles.
Sustainability Code of Conduct
We work with suppliers that support their local communities and operate with sustainability principles.
All guides hired to escort tours are local to the areas that they travel in and are trained in responsible travel practices, no trace principles, food management & safety, remote wilderness first aid and natural history interpretation.
All activities enjoyed by guests are authentic and representative of the local community.
We understand and promote the practice of low-impact (walking) tourism mostly and make our clients are of each holidays impact on the environment.
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