Responsive Travel

I just returned from the Travelers’ Philanthropy conference, held December 3-5 in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

The conference was a potpourri of travel businesses, NGO’s, characters and initiatives, all in some way involved with the growing responsible travel movement - travel that gives back to destination communities.

The conference was a wonderful immersion in the messy, human and politicized issues that characterize the movement. Here were some of the more heated issues discussed:

• Many tour operators initiate and manage local community projects designed to give back to communities. Are these companies qualified to evaluate and run such projects or are they just reinventing the wheel? Why not work with qualified NGOs on the round to run the projects instead?
• Where does most of the money from “responsible tourism” go? How much is getting to the community, and within that community who gets it? When tour operators in Kenya give drivers money for a Maasai Village travelers are visiting, does any get to village members or does the driver keep most of it?
• Supply chains: this was a big buzz topic. Companies need to evaluate the eco and profit sharing practices of their supply chains, lest they be accused of “greenwashing”.
• Is tourism to community projects, or “poverty tourism” voyeuristic? Does it perpetuate the rift between “haves” and “have-nots”?

Many fabulous and fascinating people were at the conference. Here were a few that I met:

David Western, founder of the African Conservation Center. David has been on the forefront of conservation efforts in East Africa for 40 years.

Dr. Hezron Mc’Obewa, founder of the Ogra Foundation, which helps thousands of Kenya orphans misplaced by last year’s election violence.

Nancy Rivard, founder of Airline Ambassadors. It was nice to reconnect with Nancy. Airline Ambassadors continues to deploy the airline industry to deliver aid and medical supplies to communities around the world.

James Fernie, founder of the newly formed Uthando. James organizes tours to many community projects in South Africa.

Lali Heath, Managing Director of The Foundation for Tomorrow. The Foundation for Tomorrow is organizing a donor bike ride through Tanzania in 2010 to raise money for its orphanages. Get in touch if you want to ride!

Steve Aronson, a coffee tsar from Costa Rica. Steve has initiated in many environmental projects there, including a project to protect egg-laying turtles. Steve’s sister, Tina, distributes coffee to top retailers in the Boston area.

In spite of the hot topics discussed, it was wonderful to find myself in the company of so many individuals and organizations looking for a way to give back to the communities they visit. I followed up the conference with a post-conference safari put together by & Beyond (previously CC Africa), one of Africa’s “leading sustainable luxury tour operators”. In addition to staying at & Beyond’s extraordinary lodges, we had a change to visit some of their local projects. In the Serengeti, we visited a Maasai school and dispensary, and changed upon a local wedding. Elevate Destinations will be partnering with & Beyond for upcoming Tanzania and Southern Africa Itineraries, so stay tuned!

Awakening the Responsive Traveler Within:What metrics/standards would you set for responsible travel? Should travel philanthropy organizations benefit communities that practice oppression of women (circumcising and marrying off young girls, for instance), even if those practices are part of local tradition? Should there be a “statement of ethics” for the travel philanthropy community?

Bhutan is a small mountain kingdom that is often overlooked in today’s travel world. Bhutan is unique in that the royal government controls all tourism into the country. In an effort to make the tourism industry there responsible, all tourists are charged a fee that is then used by the government to aid in national projects.

Bhutan prides itself on the creation of what the government calls ‘Gross National Happiness’ (GNH) for the country and all of it’s residents. The idea behind GNH is to promote the local people, environment and spirituality so that every aspect benefits and the citizens are whole. Bhutan is a Buddhist nation and the mentality of the religion is present throughout the peoples’ care for the environment and the well-being of the country.

As you can see in the middle photo above (courtesy of an article from Fox News), recently Bhutan crowned a new king that was educated in the United States and in the United Kingdom. NPR has a great audiocast from November 6, 2008, that celebrates the country and the coronation of the new king. Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck is only 28 years old and is the first king crowned since Bhutan adopted democracy.

If you are interested in learning more about Bhutan and how to travel there, please read the post below on Bridge To Bhutan and the new Elevate Destinations itineraries to Bhutan.

Awakening the Responsive Traveler Within: What do you think of the idea of Gross National Happiness? Do you think such a young king could accomplish much? Do you think the fee that the government charges is a form of responsive travel?

Lotay Rinchen holds an MA Degree in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University. Formally, he worked as a budget officer in the ministry of Finance for the Royal Government of Bhutan. His strong personal passion and professional background in sustainable tourism, community development and youth empowerment have led him to team up with his brother and launch a sustainable travel venture: Bridge To Bhutan (B||B).

Bridge To Bhutan is a responsive tourism company that focuses on connecting global travelers with the spirituality and vitality of touring the Land of the Thunder Dragon. For more information you can also visit the (B||B) Blog. Elevate Destinations has partnered with Bridge To Bhutan to offer two spectacular adventure itineraries (Trail Itinerary and Journey Itinerary) in this responsive travel realm.

The following interview highlights Lotay’s belief in his foundation and his country.

What is responsive travel to you?

Responsive Travel is travelling with an open mind; it is about perceiving, absorbing, and being able to appreciate the moment for what it is. It is the ability to sense the air, the trees, the sound of birds, temple bells, fluttering prayer flags, the smell and the colors all at the same time. Responsive travelers are people who are mindful and able to adapt to places that they visit. They desire a lifelong connection to people and places they have visited.

Why do you consider responsive travel to be an important issue?

Bridge To Bhutan is a conscious effort to promote and provide sustainable travel solutions to savvy globetrotters visiting Bhutan. That is why I see responsive travel as an indispensable component of that effort. A responsive traveler demands little, but gives more. It is the travel of the future!

Some people say that the most responsive form of travel is none at all. What are your thoughts on this?

Responsive Travel allows the traveler self-discovery and awareness. In an increasingly globalized and interdependent world, travelling is a must. One cannot be complacent and be incognizant of the world surrounding him or her. Traveling is education. In Mark Twain’s words “traveling is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” If you travel like you give a damn, you are a responsive traveler!

Awakening the Responsive Traveler Within: Do you agree with Lotay’s words? Is it possible to sense all of the things Lotay speaks about at the same time? How are you educated through travel?

Animals have always raised a lot of controversy in the travel industry. From zoos to sanctuaries to wild animals, travelers have the opportunity to interact with animals on some level almost anywhere they go. Not so many years ago it was custom, and still is in some areas of the globe, to go on hunting expeditions in search of new and unusual animals to kill. Trips to Africa have traditionally been focused around safari and observing the local creatures in the wild. Thousands of non-profits operate for the benefit of native species protection and rehabilitation and capitalize on many tourists’ desires to get up close and personal with these animals when visiting the area.

Recently GoNOMAD.com (a website that specializes in providing eager travelers with information to plan trips) published an article entitled “Animal Interactions.” The article contains varying opinions on the exploitation and well-being of animals associated and effected by the tourism industry. The article also hosts a testimonial from the Cango Wildlife Ranch, a breeding facility for endangered species in South Africa. This facility not only serves as a refuge for these animals but also serves as income for the local human community.

Awakening the Responsive Traveler Within: What are other benefits of animal interactions for the species in these locations, the communities and also the travelers? What are some of the costs of these interactions? Is it responsive travel to interfere with the wildlife?

Eco Hotels of the World is a website that specializes in helping responsive travelers reside in environmentally conscious lodging while visiting all areas of the globe. The website covers and rates eco hotels on every continent (including Antarctica!) and lets you see exactly how green they really are. Recently, Eco Hotels of the World published a hotel guide for environmentally friendly travelers.

According to the website, the Eco Hotels of the World Book ”proves that self-indulgence can co-exist with a clear, or at worst clear-ish, conscience.” This books helps you choose accommodation that will fit your needs and maintain whatever level of responsive travel you desire. You will find that every hotel has 1-5 green stars to facilitate your environmentally friendly holiday or business trip. To make your conscience even clearer the book was printed on paper coming from sustainable agricultural forests and the entire project was carbon offset to reduce the carbon footprint.

Awakening the Responsive Travel Within: How often do you stay in environmentally friendly lodging when you travel? Would a resource like this help you to travel more responsively? Do you believe a five star luxury hotel can be eco friendly?

December 3rd marks the start of this year’s Travelers’ Philanthropy Conference, hosted by Travelers’ Philanthropy and the Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development. Hundreds of people from the global responsible tourism industry will venture to Arusha, Tanzania this year to partake in three days of seminars and lectures from experts in the sustainable tourism field.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Making Travelers’ Philanthropy Work with Development, Business, and Conservation’ with a focus on Africa. Arusha is the gateway to areas including Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti. This will allow travelers to live and breath the philanthropic concerns throughout the conference.

Dominique is thrilled to be able to attend the conference next week and is willing to keep in mind any suggestions that you might have. Please feel free to let us know if any of these topic areas interest you so that she may take a closer look on her journey to Tanzania. Also please take a look at the responsive travel trips that Elevate Destinations offers to Africa to highlight this cause!

Awakening the Responsive Traveler Within: Do you think that Africa was the best region to highlight for the 2008 Travelers’ Philanthropy Conference or do you think there are other communities in greater need? Do you think the theme is too focused on business development and not enough on philanthropy? Are there any specific areas covered in the conference that you would like us to take a closer look at?

I am just back from the World Travel Market Conference (see the post below from November 5, 2008 for an introduction) and I am feeling unbelievably inspired and motivated to travel in a responsive form. After attending the conference for three extremely busy and packed days, I have walked away with a renewed sense of what people are doing in the tourism industry to help others.

I was fortunate enough to attend the following responsive travel seminars while I was in London:

• Peace Through Tourism: The Next Twenty Years - Hosted by the International Institue of Peace Through Tourism
• Carbon Consultancy: How to Choose a Carbon Offset - Hosted by the Carbon Consultancy
• Water: Is There Enough for Tourism? - Hosted by the Travel Foundation
• Tourism Climate Change Solutions: Improving Sustainability and Competitiveness - Hosted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization

I am very grateful that I was able to attend the WTM on behalf of Elevate Destinations and I hope that others will consider attending in the future as responsive travelers. For other views on the conference please see A Luxury Travel Blog.

Awakening the Responsive Traveler Within: Do you think WTM should have had more on responsive travel? If you attended, do you think it was a productive form of networking for people in the travel industry? Do you think water and climate change are the major responsive topics facing the travel industry today?

The international response to Obama’s election victory has been immense.

In Kenya–the birthplace of Obama’s father–Obama’s win of the presidency has inspired a national holiday, to take place November 6th.

“This is a momentous day not only in the history of the United States of America, but also for us in Kanya,” President Mwai Kibakisaid, according to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. “The victory of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya. As a country, we are full of pride for his success.”

Especially encouraging is Kenyans’ admiration of the US electoral process–its fairness affirmed in their eyes by the election of Obama:

“This was free and fair,” said David Abuto, 25, a Kisumu evangelist, quoted in the Chicago Tribune. “In voting, Americans have shown us democracy and set an example that we as Africans can follow. We’re very excited our son is leading America,” he said.

(Photo taken in Nairobi, Kenya, by Noor Khamis, Reuters.)

The Associated Press reports a groudnswell of grassroots celebrations:

“If it were possible for me to get to the United States on my bicycle, I would,” said Joseph Ochieng, a 36-year-old carpenter who celebrated in Nairobi’s Kibera shantytown, one of Africa’s largest slums.

Samuel Ouma, 36, said Obama’s victory alleviated some of the pain suffered in December after Kenya’s disastrous presidential election, which unleashed weeks of violence here.

Ranneberger, the U.S. ambassador, said Kenyans’ love for Obama was palpable.

“With the media coverage over the past few weeks, I sometimes thought this was a Kenyan election,” he told more than 500 people who gathered at his home, watching flat-screen TVs set up in the sprawling garden.

Gibson Gaitho, 14, said he does not believe an Obama presidency will change his life, but he said he was inspired by the incredible rise of a man with Kenyan roots.

“As Kenyans we feel proud,” said Gaitho, who watched the results with scores of other schoolchildren at Ranneberger’s party before heading back to class on a school bus. “Because of Obama, I know - you work hard, you achieve.”

Africans everywhere hope that Obama’s presidency will call attention to their continent–its challenges and opportunities.

With such a tide of goodwill preceding Obama’s inauguration, US travelers can make their way abroad with fresh confidence about their welcome overseas.

The paradigm shift promised by the Obama team should fuel the spirit of giving back that is embraced by Elevate Destinations, its partners and clients.

We invite all travelers to put Africa–and Kenya especially–on their travel calendar!

Check out our Responsive Travel itineraries to Africa.

Awakening the Responsive Traveler Within: Do you think the deflated global image that has plagued America over the past few years has changed with the election of Barack Obama? Will it be easier for donors to travel to areas in need, like Kenya, and help facilitate remediation? Do other nations feel as strongly as the Kenyan people do and will this awe and inspiration wear off with time? What long term impact can we expect in Africa and around the world as a result of Obama’s election?

Next week thousands of businesses, clients and spectators of the travel industry will flood London for the start of the annual World Travel Market Conference. Everyone from press, to travel agents to travelers have spent the last year gearing up for November 10-13, 2008, so that they can begin to explore the corners of the globe. Last year, approximately 50,000 people supported this venture and made networking connections in the global travel industry.

This year WTM is dedicating Wednesday, November 12, 2008, as ‘World Responsible Tourism Day.’ Panels and seminars will be held all day with regards to things like carbon offsetting, water shortage, sustainable development, green hotels, etc. There will be highlighted areas in need of support, such as Kazakhstan, and people from these regions to speak on the benefits of traveling to these remote locations.

I am lucky enough to be attending on behalf of Elevate Destinations and the Responsive Travel Blog. If there is anything that you seem interested in by exploring the WTM website or schedule, let me know so that I can come back with the most up to date information for discussion.

Awakening the Responsive Travel Within: Do you think that one day is enough to dedicate to responsive travel? Is this a form of responsive travel if 50,000 people flood London to discuss travel opportunities around the world? Is there anything on the conference agenda that you would like to hear more about?

This week the New York Times has a brief article in their Travel section on A New Effort for Sustainable Tourism. The article introduces the Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, founded by the United Nations Foundation, Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme, and United Nations World Tourism Organization.

The Criteria establishes several guidelines for the tourism industry including the following categories:

• To demonstrate effective sustainable management;
• To maximize social and economic benefits to local communities and minimize negative impacts;
• To maximize benefits to cultural heritage and minimize negative impacts; and
• To maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impacts.

The Criteria was created by interviewing and extensive research in both the areas of sustainability and tourism. The Partnership gets to the core of responsive travel and making a difference to communities that we visit.

Awakening the Responsive Travel Within: Do you think that the Criteria is too lenient or too strict for today’s travel market? Is there anything that you think is missing from the Criteria that is essential to responsive travel? Will the tourism industry actually adopt these guidelines or will this just go unnoticed by the economically driven companies that dominate the travel market?