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Travel is one of the most exciting and fulfilling things we can do in life. It broadens our horizons, changes our perspectives and makes us who we are. We take pride in sharing the world's beauty with our guests every year and responsibility for this work as well. Social Responsibility is a core value at Collette and to live this value, we focus on four key pillars: People, Community, Planet and Responsible Travel. At the end of the day, we hope through travel and tourism to help global communities, reduce our carbon footprint and travel everywhere in the most sustainable way.
Here are a few tips we've found along the way that really make for a more responsible vacations.
Build Understanding
Before you travel, really get to know the destination. This is an exciting time; get excited and plan ahead! Familiarize yourself on your upcoming journey, becoming immersed in the destination. It's a great way to build understanding of the local community and set expectations on cultural variances.
Check out a travel guide. Research appropriate dress. Learn a little of the local language. Learn about the culture of the destination to gain a better understanding of their customs and norms in order to be respectful; such as manners, greetings and wearing acceptable attire.
Preserve Local Communities
During your travels, take opportunities to help preserve local communities and the environment and work to make a positive social impact.
- Reduce water and energy consumption - reuse items when possible such as refillable water bottles and refillable toiletries, towels (rehang) or linens; use water sparingly, switch off appliances and unplug. Using reusable shopping bag
- Respect wildlife and their natural habitats. Purchase products that aren't made using endangered plants or animals and other threatened natural resources.
- Access places only open to visitors, follow designated trails, respect caretakers, and do not remove archaeological or biological treasures from sites.
- Spread economic benefits and buy locally made. Avoid excessive bargaining.
- Always ask before taking photographs.
- Refrain from giving money, sweets, or materials to individuals asking for them, especially children, as this may cause community conflict and encourage a culture of dependency and begging.
- Share cross-cultural experiences as a means to learn about the destination but also provide opportunity for the local people to learn about you and your home.
Reflect
After your travels, stay connected to your trip after you return home. Travel is inspiring and opens our own worlds so much.
- Give back - if you were inspired by your trip, you might find programs and organizations doing good work that benefits the places you visited.
- Share - Tell others about the things you did and the people you met on your journey. Get the message out on social media to encourage others to visit the destination to fulfill the goals for economic and social sustainability.
