Ski & snowboarding day trip in Japan
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
One of our key goals is to employ and refine sustainable tourism practices that will benefit all of our outdoor adventure experiences.
We are committed to protecting our natural environment and increasing customers and locals environmental awareness and responsibility. We have been working with the Japan national forest office (erinsho) over the past 5 years to introduce restrictions on environmentally sensitive areas and tour operator restrictions.
On all tours customers are briefed about the importance of our ecosystem, the environment they are in on the tour and how they can make a difference. We also encourage customers to participate on mountain cleaning days organized by the famous Japanese mountaineer Noguchi Ken. Many of the Canyon staff help with the organisation and implementation of the Noguchi Ken events.
Our operations include the following policies:
- carbon emissions offset practices (planting 3 trees per year per vehicle)
- use of only laser printing to eradicate printer cartridges
- low paper usage by mainly internet advertising (printed materials are on recycled paper)
- rubbish separation and recycling (plastic = plastic decking)
Community
We have made a strong commitment to the local communities around our three base locations. We have created both direct and indirect benefits for the local communities by employing local staff, using local suppliers, supporting other local businesses and implementing various social projects.
We currently employ over 16 staff in 3 locations, 60% of whom are from the local area (the same village or town). It is our goal to increase the percentage of local staff to 80% over the next 3 years. We have all ready implemented training systems for locals to become guides in each area.
It is our policy to include local businesses in the economic benefits of outdoor adventure tourism. We use local accommodation in each area and give them special discount rates. The result is a value package for customers which encourages them to stay in the local area.
We also introduce customers to many local restaurants, hot springs and other tourism activities such as local craft workshops. We utilise local suppliers for all available equipment, food and utilities. This policy applies not only for our operations but our staff as well.
We have been involved in various social projects; free outdoor days with the local primary schools in each area, constructing local children's playground, supporting the local festivals and providing volunteers for aid work after natural disasters (earthquakes, floods).
