Our Responsible Travel Policy

 

Environmental

1. Our company does not print brochures due to paper wastage.  We actively encourage communication via email or telephone.  We refill ink cartridges and reuse paper whenever possible.  In the future, we hope to power our Ghana office using solar energy.
   
   
2. We endeavour to use all natural resources sparingly; these include water, wood and charcoal. We also insist all our clients do the same.  In areas where local fuel such as wood and charcoal are not in abundance, we will use alternative fuels.
   
   
3. We send all our clients our responsible travel policy for Ghana and Burkina Faso via email or inform them by telephone prior to their departure.  We also discuss our policy during our client’s complementary “welcome” drink on their arrival. When camping, we leave the area as we found it, not removing anything and taking all unwanted possessions/waste with us until a suitable disposal facility is found.  We also ensure out clients understand the dangers of cigarette disposal in dry, vulnerable habitats and the catastrophic environmental damage this may cause.
   
   
4. 
   All our tours highlight community run eco tourism projects, and we especially encourage clients to visit projects protecting endangered wildlife and vulnerable wildlife areas.  There are many such areas in Ghana such as the Ankasa and Bia chimpanzee population, along with the Hippos at Bui and Wechiau.  We believe that when the government notices the localised economic benefits that responsible tourism in these areas creates, it will do more to protect these vulnerable habitats from deforestation and other environmentally damaging projects.  Our company are currently in the planning stages of improving facilities at a rundown school outside of Kumasi.  A percentage of company profits will go towards this project and we will try to encourage our clients to support this project.

Economic

1. We always use local guides and community based project leaders during all of our tours.  Their local knowledge and expertise are invaluable and enhances our client’s experience.  We only visit areas where the whole community are involved and happy to accept visitors.  We want assurances that the proceeds from these projects are distributed correctly, improving facilities that the whole community will benefit from.  Our company employs full time local drivers, cultural, wildlife and birdwatching experts, of which 3 local guides accompany every tour.
   
   
2. During our tours, we aim to use local accommodation whenever possible.  These establishments employ local people and source food and beverages locally.  All of this benefits the local economy.  We are currently seeking suitable, local candidates with a passion and interest in areas relating to our tours to train and educate with the view of future employment within our company.
   
   
3. 
   We encourage our clients to buy souvenirs such as arts, crafts and clothes locally as well as eat and drink in local bars and restaurants.  This benefits our clients as buying locally is generally cheaper, and it enables them to interact with locals, which enhances their trip.  But more importantly, it benefits the local economy by bringing money, employment and encourages them to protect these vulnerable areas

Social

1. During our tour brief on our client’s arrival in Ghana, our local guides inform them of local customs, etiquette and acceptable behaviour.  Our website has links to Ghana embassies around the World with up to date political information.
   
   
2. Before arriving at a community, our local guides inform our clients of the local customs and general information about interactions and any other relevant information.  This is to make them aware of the impact their behaviour can have on the local community.
   
3. It is company policy to use local guides whilst visiting local communities.

We advertise and encourage tours to community based eco projects that are run correctly and which benefit the whole community.  We always encourage our clients to contribute to our company community based project.