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Responsible Travel

What is Responsible Travel ?
Over the last 30 years different terms have been used to describe what is now more widely known as 'Responsible Travel', or 'Responsible Tourism'.

Responsible Travel

These terms have included 'ecotourism', 'ethical travel', 'sustainable tourism' and many more. The definition of some of these terms has been unclear in the past and many companies have jumped on the bandwagon, adopting terms like ecotourism, to take advantage of consumer trends. This has resulted in these terms becoming fairly meaningless.

Responsible Travel (or Tourism) was coined as a term to describe a set of underlying principles that should apply to all tourism operators. By the very nature of the type of travel experiences, volunteer projects and programmes that Real Gap offers, we satisfy these key principles of responsible travel and are committed to ensuring that they are upheld.

In fact Real Gap Experience is the original provider of ethical travel /responsible travel ideas and has been providing ethical travel options for gap year travellers for the past five years.

The principles of responsible travel can be defined under three main headings:

Environmental Responsible Travel Programmes
Travel, which makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and human heritage, biodiversity and wilderness, and minimises negative environmental impacts.

Volunteer with wildlife

Conservation projects

Responsible Travel

Social/Cultural Responsible Travel Programmes
Travel, which respects culture and traditions and encourages authentic interaction and a greater understanding between travellers and hosts.

Responsible Travel

Volunteer with children

Community volunteering

Economic Responsible Travel Programmes
Travel, which has fair financial benefits for the host community. Monies spent by travellers fund community projects, or initiatives, and training and remain in the community through the use of locally owned accommodation, services and staff.

We can also offer responsible holidays for those people with less time to spare but still want to give something back by getting involved in some worthwhile volunteer work on their holiday. We have options for responsible holidays throughout the world.

Your Responsible Travel Responsibility
Whilst we can play our part in ensuring that the travel experiences and programmes that we send you to comply with the above principles, a large part of the responsibility is with you, as the traveller. By observing basic guidelines you will enjoy your trip abroad and at the same time minimise the environmental and social pressures of your travel.

Responsible Tourism Traveller's Code

Responsible Holidays

Climate Care