We define Responsible Travel and Tourism as: 'The use of tourism as a force for good which adds value to, and benefits, the economies, societies and communities we visit, whilst minimising the negative side effects of our tourism to both the destination and the global environment'.

We believe that life-enhancing travel is not about seeing a place, but experiencing a place, its people, its cultures, food and ways of life. It is only right that when we, relatively wealthy, tourists enjoy the benefits of tourism, we should do so responsibly, by ensuring that we are not contributing to the exploitation of either people or the environment, that we are participating in 'fair trade' practices which benefit those who work so hard to make our holidays so great, that we are contributing to the sustainable economic development of the communities who host us, and that we are respectful towards and assist in the maintenance of indigenous cultures.

Economy

• The Different Travel Company has a policy of only working with agents who are local to the destination and who are, as far as possible, independent, reliable and professional.
• Although we seek to ensure all our volunteer holidays are accompanied by Different Travel Company representatives, we have a policy of employing local guides and drivers for all our volunteer holidays and charity challenges.
• The Different Travel Company has a policy of only employing local builders, masons, craftsmen, artisans, electricians and other manual workers on any of the construction projects that it funds or manages, so as not to deprive local people of employment.
• We encourage our customers to support the local economy of the destination by purchasing goods and services whilst there.
• We encourage our customers to eat out at local restaurants and street stalls and to visit local markets to boost the impact of their spending.
• Our projects are always run by local people for local people. We help the projects to become self-reliant so that, in future, they won’t need financial help from us or anyone else.

Community

• The Different Travel Company endeavour to use only hotels which have strong and positive links with local communities.
• The Different Travel Company always try, wherever possible, to use hotels which are owned and managed by people local to the area in which the hotel is situated, thus ensuring the revenue benefits local people. Where this is not possible, we do our utmost to ensure that staff are treated with respect in terms of salary and working conditions.
• The Different Travel Company requires hotels and tour operators to produce evidence of fair employment practices for their staff. These practices include, but are not limited to: The right to belong to a trade union; the right to a fair and liveable wage; the right to be treated with respect by senior staff and guests; the right to a fair disciplinary and grievance process and the right to appoint an advocate during any disciplinary procedures; the right to contest summary dismissal; the right to sick pay and paid holiday in accordance with regional norms; the right not to be forced to work in dangerous, unsanitary or hazardous conditions; the right to adequate and free insurance to cover injury or death resulting from activities pursuant with the employee’s job description; the right not to be forced to engage in practices which the employee finds demeaning or offensive on either religious or ethical grounds; the right to expect that these rights will be upheld by senior staff.
• The Different Travel Company encourages its customers to actively support social and environmental projects local to the destination and community, and to consider what help and support can be provided individually prior to the customer’s arrival and after their departure.
• Part of the cost of the volunteer travel trips goes towards directly funding projects, covering the cost of building materials, paint, books and many other essential items. Thus ensuring a direct benefit to the local community beyond the contribution to the local economy.

Customs & Cultures

• The Different Travel Company believes that the tourist should have an awareness of, and respect for, the culture, history, beliefs and practices of the destinations they visit.
• The Different Travel Company does not engage in ‘cultural imperialism’. We understand that all cultures are equally valid and believe that indigenous cultures should be respected.
• We believe that the customs of the destination visited should be observed and that time should be taken to understand that human societies are diverse and western values may not be understood, let alone practiced.
• All holy sites should be respected, regardless of the religion they represent.
• The tourist should learn about the culture, history and politics of the destination to be visited.
• The Different Travel Company provides opportunities to visit projects and places of interest.

Environment

• The Different Travel Company’s volunteer holidays and charity fund raising challenges are all based on small groups. We believe that the negative impact of tourism on communities is lessened when we travel in small groups.
• All the Different Travel Company’s volunteer holidays and charity challenges are ‘carbon neutral’. The Different Travel Company use part of the cost of each holiday to fund carbon neutralising projects on behalf of each customer.
• The Different Travel Company endeavour to only use hotels who have adopted environmentally responsible practices.
• The Different Travel Company requires our agents and hotels to observe environmentally sustainable practices, including limiting pollution, sound water management, recycling of glass and paper, and the sourcing of materials and foods locally.
• We encourage minimising water usage and the use of environmentally safe detergent as many places flush water directly into rivers and the sea.
• We recommend avoiding the use of modern-style ‘moist toilet tissue’ which is very difficult to break down naturally.
• We encourage hotels to adopt a policy of giving guests the choice of re-using hand/bath towels rather than automatically sending them to the laundry.
• Where possible, we use direct flights to our destinations. The worst carbon emissions are emitted during take off and landing, so the fewer landings and take offs, the better.
• Internal flights are avoided unless absolutely necessary. Our tours are of a length that permits us to use land transport as much as possible. In many cases part of our tours are on foot, by bicycle or by boat.

Nature & Wildlife

• The Different Travel Company understands the potential harm that can come from taking groups into areas of fragile ecosystems. We endeavour to lessen the impact by insisting on a policy of 'leave no trace' tourism.
• We go to great lengths to ensure that our customers are well informed about the area and aware of the impact that they can have on the environment.
• We only take small groups into such areas.
• We work with projects that are specifically designed to preserve fragile eco-systems and endangered plants and animals (such as in the Galapagos).

Nature & Wildlife

• The Different Travel Company understands the potential harm that can come from taking groups into areas of fragile ecosystems. We endeavour to lessen the impact by insisting on a policy of 'leave no trace' tourism.
• We go to great lengths to ensure that our customers are well informed about the area and aware of the impact that they can have on the environment.
• We only take small groups into such areas.
• We work with projects that are specifically designed to preserve fragile eco-systems and endangered plants and animals (such as in the Galapagos).

UK operations

• The majority of Different Travel Company staff work from home, negating the need to commute to the office, others live locally and walk or cycle to work.
• The Different Travel Company brochures are printed on either recycled paper or paper from sustainable forests.
• When planning tours, the Different Travel Company consider very carefully the impact of taking small groups to certain destinations. Only when convinced that we have reduced the impact of our visit as much as is reasonably possible do we proceed with planning the tour.
• The Different Travel Company tries to be as 'paper free' as possible and recycles whenever possible.
• The Different Travel Company believe in 'Fair Trade' travel and tourism and are members of, and support, the objectives of Tourism Concern (www.tourismconcern.org.uk)

Customers

Our advice to our customers to help them travel more responsibly:

• Each time you fly, plant a tree in order to facilitate ‘carbon sequestration’ and to nullify the impact of your flight upon global warming.
• Turn lights off when you leave your hotel room.
• Minimise water usage as many places lack sufficient water. Shower rather than bath and consider whether you really need that second shower. Use the sea or a swimming pool to cool off, rather than taking repeated showers.
• Use environmentally friendly detergent and soap for any washing. Consider rinsing out clothes in the shower.
• Avoid using ‘moist toilet tissue’ which is difficult to break down naturally and only flush human waste down the toilet.
• Use public transport wherever possible.
• Purchase tours from local individuals/guides so that you know the money you pay goes straight back into the local economy.
• Be aware of what you are purchasing in local shops. Ensure that items you are buying are not from endangered / fragile species such as coral or produced using child labour.
• Travel light and purchase extra clothes and goods while there.
• Be prepared to barter over the cost of goods and services but remember that in areas where Ł200 a year is the average salary a little goes a long way.
• Consider adopting or sponsoring a project which will benefit the destination community.
• Remember to recycle where possible, including plastic. Return glass bottles to where they were purchased and don’t litter.
• Never participate in prostitution or sex-tourism, which is usually illegal and always based upon exploitation of the weakest.
• Avoid being exploited. Always be aware that some will see Western tourists as an easy target.
• Avoid giving money to beggars. Pack food parcels and fruit to give out instead.
• Learn to speak a few simple phrases of the destination language. Buy a phrase book where possible.
• Join an organisation such as Tourism Concern who campaign to make responsible tourism practices the mainstream norm for all, and not the exception for the few, and fights against exploitation by or for tourists.
• Take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Different Travel Company to visit projects and places of interest.