Georgia short break holiday

The Impacts of this Trip

We learn about the Georgian culture when visiting historic towns and remote villages. This helps the local people continue their traditions and their culture is preserved, as well as encouraging interaction between the locals and tourists. Revenue from entrance fees directly contributes to the ongoing maintenance and protecting the local heritage.

We believe that tourism is a double edged sword that needs to be wielded very carefully. Our philosophy is to have a limited amount of departures – usually between one and three a year - for each of our itineraries. By limiting our presence in areas where local culture can be quite fragile, we hope to avoid as much as possible the phenomenon whereby an area changes in character due to repeated and prolonged exposure to tourism. We want to visit an area as friends, not intruders and to ensure that what we see will also be there for others to enjoy for many years to come.

We employ local guides and drivers, providing employment and income. Our leaders and local guides will carefully explain the customs and cultures of the communities visited to ensure that our travellers are able to behave sensitively towards fragile communities, and help them gain from tourism while not being affected by some of its more negative aspects.

We also feel that the passion inherent within such suppliers means that your experience will be enhanced. We also try to engage with our suppliers on an equal basis – getting the lowest possible price usually isn’t the best outcome for local communities and is ultimately unsustainable. We aim to always treat our suppliers fairly and with respect; they are after all part of the key to our success and to us working together is much more than just a business arrangement, but an ongoing relationship that we aim to ensure truly benefits everyone involved.

We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where possible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit.

Wherever possible, throughout this private tour to Georgia, we use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.