What's Responsible Tourism?
 What
is Responsible Tourism?
Being a responsible tourist or operator means being aware; it means
choosing destinations and businesses that help the environment and
communities we visit to develop in ways which tread lightly on the
environment, whilst empowering the community to develop and improve
its own well being. Tourism will inevitably have positive and negative
effects where we visit, but being aware of our choices means trying
to maximize the positive effects of your travel and minimize the negative.
“With knowledge comes a responsibility to act.”
– National Geographic Magazine; Earth Pulse Issue
Why travel responsibly?
Responsible tourism aims to instil conservation measures through
community participation which is profitable and can sustain itself.
Traveling responsibly means choosing to support companies which support
the local communities you visit. Remember there is no ‘perfect
mould’ for what responsible tourism means in different destinations
all over the world. One community may struggle to meet basic survival
needs while another may suffer from an overflow of damaging tourism.
The key is to work hand in hand with the local community to ensure
development happens at the right pace and does not exploit those who
live there. The REEFsponsibles have researched and chosen operators
from Asia Pacific’s best dive locations who have a passion for
the underwater world and understand the importance of protecting and
maintaining this world for generations to come. They all have conservation
programs in place to educate and motivate both tourists and locals.
If the tourism industry develops in ways which allow a community to
build a healthy future, this acts as encouragement to promote conservation
programs.
 Who
really benefits from responsible tourism?
 You: The Responsible tourist
Responsible travel means the community you visit is involved in
the tourism industry, which in turn means you get to be involved in
community projects. You take your holiday with an open mind to education
and in return you learn about the place you are visiting. Many of
our partners have developed programs which you can be directly involved
in, whether it be conservation, education, or scientific, the more
you want to learn, the more unique memories you have to bring home
as souvenirs. Remember, the profits from booking your holiday with
The REEFsponsibles is redirected to the non-profit arm of our business,
“Fish Tales” which creates
children’s education programs. As well, each center receives
profits which helps fund their own conservation programs and make
improvements so you can have the most rewarding holidays, while helping
to support worthwhile causes.
The Community
 One
thing is certain, responsible travel cannot exist if the community
is not involved. If people are more concerned about supporting the
basic needs of their families, we cannot expect them to worry about
the plight of an endangered animal. For many poorer communities, the
riches of the sea and the beauty of their culture can be a valuable
source of income. By educating and involving local people in the tourism
industry, this can be a great encouragement for conservation programs.
It is estimated that one in every ten people all over the world works
in the tourism industry, support local involvement and keep income
within the community. Other ways to support the local economy: using
local guides and workers, supporting locally run businesses, and buying
from local sources.
The Environment
Conservation programs educate both tourists and the community about
the importance of the fragile marine eco-systems of the places we
visit. Many of the world’s coral reefs are in danger today because
of pollution, destructive fishing practices and rising water temperatures.
A recent National Geographic study indicates that all but ten percent
of big fish in the sea have now been plundered. If we can promote
tourism which is sustainable over more destructive means of income
for local communities, this can be a great incentive to encourage
conservation.
Eco friendly operators work as role models within the community
by reducing un-needed waste and energy consumption, re-using materials
for new projects in the community, and recycling everything from food
scraps to used water bottles. Make sure and ask operators how they
make a difference.
Learn more about
how you can be a responsible tourist and how your
REEFsponsible holiday benefits the people and places you visit...
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