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From the 2006 Responsible Travel handbook, comes a quote that
we feel sums up the issues around responsible travel:
"Whether you are travelling on your
own or arranging travels for others - the Earth is your homeland.
Give it the care and respect it deserves; learn about its environment
and geography; spend time getting to know its people and their
art, culture, history, and livelihoods. While you derive pleasure,
knowledge, and understanding from your encounters, hold close
the importance of preserving these treasures for those who may
follow in your footsteps".
interNATIONAL PARKtours is committed to
the principles of responsible travel and, with your help, has
demonstrated this commitment for over 30 years.
As times and attitudes change, we want to
increase the importance of responsible tourism in IPT's culture.
Not only does it make us more accountable, it further supports
you as travellers, the local communities you visit and the environment.
Here are some of our plans for improvement:
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Office ecosystem: We
are reviewing all aspects of our office environment including
waste, water and energy, office and tour equipment. Environmentally
responsible choices in printing, communication & local transport
are a priority.
-
Accreditation: 2008
is the year for us to achieve accreditation with ecotourism
and sustainable travel bodies both in Australia and internationally.
It will help us lift the standards at home and on tour.
-
Donations: Because
travel is a privilege, we make regular donations to community,
charity and environmental groups.
-
Local community: All
of IPT's office staff are involved in local community groups
including Landcare, Beechmont School P&C, Rural Fire Brigade
and the Beechmont Business and Enterprise Network. On tours:
Supporting local communities: As much as possible, we use
locally owned hotels, restaurants, transport and tour operators.
We engage guides and interpreters who know their local area
and connect with ordinary citizens, cultural and environmental
groups.
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Tour design: We are gradually refining the style of our tours
to a "slower" more sustainable pace. The transport we use,
the hotels we stay at, the food we eat on a tour, all contribute
to the impact of our tours.
-
Encouraging local change:
Working with business partners worldwide, including local
guides and operators, we strive to source as much as possible
from the local economy, maximising efficiency and minimising
waste.
-
Research: We encourage
you to research destinations and we aim to provide you with
sufficient, accurate information to understand local communities
and environment.
-
Feedback: We appreciate
your feedback and your ideas. We have set up a 'blog' site
at www.parktours.wordpress.com where you can share tour experiences
and discuss ideas for best practice in responsible and sustainable
travel.
-
Save trees: Make a small
step by going online to request itineraries and e-news updates.
Go to our web site at www.parktours.com.au, click 'Join our
mailing list' and leave email distribution as the default.
"Follow the three Rs: Respect for self,
Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.
Be gentle with the earth. Once a year, go someplace you've never
been before." …from the Dalai Lama's Instructions for Life.
For your protection, we are allied members
of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. We are also licensed
travel agents with the Office of Fair Trading which is part
of the Queensland Government. In addition we are paid
up members of the Travel Compensation Fund. This is an Australian
organisation to which tour operators and travel agents contribute
large sums of money so that if a company ceases business, assistance
may be given to stranded travellers. Finally, your payments
are kept in a trust account until required for payment of your
tour.
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