Responsible Travel
When Trek started its operation back in 1972, responsible travel was not really understood. The original overland tour companies - those driving trucks across Asia, Africa and South America in the 1960s and 1970s - were the pioneers in many ways. Leaving places and villages untouched was not even a "philosophy"; it just was. Fast forward 40 years and these same companies still work hard to leave a positive footprint behind by ensuring support of locally owned businesses, accommodations and transportation.
Responsible Tourism are not even Buzz Terms anymore; We have come full circle and most operators, destinations and industry organizations all over the world are now practicing responsible tourism and this list is growing on a daily basis. But here at Trek, we have been committed to Responsible Tourism since our inception and we will continue to source out like-minded partners worldwide.
So what do we really mean?
The economic, environmental and cultural effects of a trip are key considerations during the itinerary design process. Local suppliers distribute the economic benefits throughout their communities. Small groups lessen the environmental impact and allow travelers to be culturally unobtrusive. Everyone involved with the organization of a trip promotes and adheres to sustainable travel principles, which travellers cannot help but embrace.
Special Projects
In addition to operating socially and ecologically responsible trips, our suppliers also contribute services and goods to the communities visited which remain long after you have returned home. One example of the many projects under taken is the Exodus solar cooker project. Exodus has started purchasing parabolic solar cookers for use in Nepal. These solar cookers help reduce the use of wood as fuel, which helps save forests, reduces air pollution that can lead to respiratory problems and reduces carbon emissions that ultimately harm the planet we live on. In the summer of 2008, ten cookers were transported to Lukla and porters were hired to carry the cookers to some of the lodges we use in the Everest region. You will see them in Lukla, Phakding, Monzo, Namche, Thyangboche, Dingboche, Lobuje and Gorak Shep. Twenty more solar cookers were sent to the Everest region ready for the 2010 season.
Trek clients can help!
By choosing to book with Trek, you chose a commitment to the give-back and pay-it-forward philosophies. As mentioned, our land suppliers take great care in creating trips that respect, protect and benefit the communities they come into contact with along the way. Certain environmental impacts of global travel are unavoidable. For example, the biggest environmental drawback of international travel is flying: airplanes release hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Counterbalancing some or all of the carbon emissions associated with your flights is a step forward for the environment. You will be offered an opportunity to donate to a Canadian company Offsetters. They invest the funds into a variety of projects promoting the reduction of carbon emissions.
We are also a proud sponsor of the SOS Children's Village foundation. Most of our operators support a variety of causes and every time you travel with us, so do you.
Trek Supports:
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