Midnight Sun Adventure Travel
Aims
Our goal is to ensure that the business we bring to remote communities is a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and tourists themselves. As a company that specializes in off-the-beaten path experiences in western and northern Canada, we know that the environment, economy and culture of the areas we visit are particularly vulnerable to damage. Small group tourism in isolated areas can be more devastating than mainstream beach-or city-based tourism, which has a higher resiliency to absorb growth. Our vigilance in promoting and practicing sustainability of our tours extends to educating clients, training our guides, and the caliber of our suppliers.
Economic responsibility
Direct corporate contributions:. Midnight Sun Travel supports the following environmental charities in Canada: The Land Conservancy, the Alpine Club of Canada and the BC Wilderness Tourism Association.
Environmental responsibility
Two major components of Midnight Sun Travel’s environmental responsibility are our practices in delivering our tours and the education we provide our customers.
Our business model exemplifies our environmental responsibility:
While we travel in 15 passenger vans, we limit our groups to 8 people to minimize impact on the environment.
We adhere to ‘bear aware’ practices on all camping trips.
We discourage plastic water bottles and encourage our guests to bring their own travel mugs and drink from a central water container.
We practice ‘no trace touring’ wherever we hike or camp.
We lease the most fuel efficient vehicles available to transport our passengers.
In the office we use recycled tissue and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Our office staff are provided with a secure place to store their bicycles and encouraged to car pool.
We solicit and act upon client comments as how to improve our sustainable tourism practices.
Our guides are familiar with local environment issues and educate our customers accordingly.
Midnight Sun Travel’s pre-departure information is tailored to the specific destinations we travel to. Each document contains information on travelling responsibly and social and environmental issues in the particular area.
Environmental issues discussed include those that impact on wildlife, commercial development, and climate change.
Social responsibility
Midnight Sun Travel’s social responsibility is reflected in the manner in which we deliver our tours. Our small group adventures utilize local outfitters, stay in small scale, locally owned accommodation and frequent local shops for meals, supplies and crafts. These practices facilitate a high degree of contact with locals and ensure that the economic development our business brings goes directly to local businesses and communities. We are always cognizant of local festivals and events and visit social and environmental projects, including First Nations attractions and accommodation in the Rocky Mountains, on Vancouver Island, and in the Arctic.
As outlined in our pre-departure information (Travelling Responsibly and Social/Environmental Issues) we pay particular attention educating our customers about social issues in the areas we travel,. including teaching customers how to be sensitive to local cultures and setting the stage for customers to donate to worthwhile, local causes.
