Winter walking holiday in the Austrian Tyrol

Planet

Environment:
As we are walking there’s no need for artificial snow, since the activity can take place no matter the conditions. We also encourage our guests to pack reusable bottles to reduce the need for single use plastic on this trip. In our UK office, we are working towards reducing our carbon footprint through energy conservation measures, recycling policies and the promotion of cycling and walking as a means for our staff to commute. Our head office in the UK has become a plastic-free zone with the use of plastic bottles being banned and we distributed reusable water bottles and tote bags to every staff member.

Group Size:
This is a small group tour, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.

People

Accommodation and Meals:
Accommodation for the week is in the family run Hotel Fischerwirt in the Tyrolean village of Achenkirch. The Fischerwirt is a traditional Tyrolean inn and as such is a member of the "Tiroler Wirtshaus". This association exists to ensure that members maintain authentic Tyrolean cuisine with local influences. The focus is on local ingredients with proof of origin (AMA seal of approval), the diverse native culinary delights as well as down to earth Tyrolean ambience, coupled with good hospitality.

Local Craft and Culture:
Clients are encouraged to stop at mountain huts and restaurants and other local businesses, where our visit makes a valuable contribution to their trade. When there is a village event, such as a band concert, we make every effort to attend, especially as the tourist board provides a convenient bus service. On the free day, it is possible visit the nearby city of Innsbruck, where there are many interesting cultural sites, but the Tyrolean Folk Museum is one of the most popular.

Supporting Local Community:
One of the strengths of this centre is the use of local transport services. The network of bus routes and trains is not only very convenient for us, but provides support for local facilities and employment for local people. By supporting the local community we are demonstrating how responsible tourism can still make a difference in a ‘developed’ area of Western Europe. The bonus for our clients is that they can see how they are supporting directly the local economy and the warm welcome they receive from the local inhabitants.