(At Rt. JLR, Kabini: HuntingPalace of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore)
(Top: Luxury tents @ JLR, Lt: Cottage Interiors)
Tavel can be much more than simply visiting places, taking pictures and buying souvenirs. When executed heedfully, and with the minimum impact, travel can inspire cultural awareness, tolerance, and commitment to environmental responsibility. As a vital part of the tourism industry, travellers have the power to help transform the way people travel, and to give back to communities and destinations.
Responsible Tourism? What’s that?
PROTECT – Local Culture.
PROVIDE – An opportunity to yourself to explore these unique ways of life.
POOL-IN – Resources to take the cause forward.
Who travels responsibly?
Anyone can be a responsible traveller! You can get back to nature, or bathe in luxury... hike into the forest, or explore the city... stay close to home, or travel to the exotic location of your dreams. Responsible travel provides many options and is often very affordable.
Responsible Travel – Myths & Truths:
Myth: I have to sacrifice quality and luxury of accommodations.
Responsible Tourism? What’s that?
PROTECT – Local Culture.
PROVIDE – An opportunity to yourself to explore these unique ways of life.
POOL-IN – Resources to take the cause forward.
Who travels responsibly?
Anyone can be a responsible traveller! You can get back to nature, or bathe in luxury... hike into the forest, or explore the city... stay close to home, or travel to the exotic location of your dreams. Responsible travel provides many options and is often very affordable.
Responsible Travel – Myths & Truths:
Myth: I have to sacrifice quality and luxury of accommodations.
Truth: Many lodges, hotels, and resorts have high standards of quality and conveniences. They bring nature and local flavour within your reach, while still assuring your level of comfort.
Myth: It's expensive!
Myth: It's expensive!
Truth: Responsible tours and accommodations come in a range of prices, depending on the level of comfort and convenience you desire.
Myth: It's too difficult to be a responsible traveller.
Myth: It's too difficult to be a responsible traveller.
Truth: An aware Travel Consultant can make it easy to plan and book responsible travel! When you arrive at your destination, there are simple steps you can take to make your trip environmentally and socially responsible (see "What You Can Do While Travelling" above).
Myth: It means travelling to jungles & far off places.
Myth: It means travelling to jungles & far off places.
Truth: Responsible travel often brings to mind images of exotic tropical locations, but the reality is that destinations, accommodations, and tour packages exist all across India.
Myth: It's for backpackers.
Myth: It's for backpackers.
Truth: People of all interests, ages, incomes, and backgrounds can travel responsibly, and there are plenty of family-friendly options.
(Above: Coracle is a great way to see water & wild life! Oarsman sits on the small stool while 4-5 guests sit around the bigger one, back-to-back...crocs find rubber hard to chew on...don your life-jackets please!)
Recommended Do's and Don'ts While Travelling:
By exploring alternative travel choices, you can have a unique trip and avoid leaving undesireable influences on local cultures, economies, and environment.
1. At the hotel: Ask about environmental preservation & conservation policies and practices. Talk with staff about working conditions. Does the hotel support local community initiatives?
2. Language: Learn a few words of the local language and use them.
3. Dress: Read up on local conventions and dress appropriately. In many places, modest dress is important.
4. Behaviour: Be respectful of local citizens’ privacy. Ask permission before entering sacred places, homes / private properties.
5. Photos: Be sensitive to when and where you take photos/video of people. Always ask first.
6. Environment: Respect the natural environment. Never touch or harass animals. Always follow designated trails. Support conservation by paying entrance fees to parks and protected sites.
7. Animal products: Never ever buy crafts or products made from protected or endangered animals. Never ask for wild-life meat.
8. Pay the fair price: Don’t engage in overly aggressive bargaining for souvenirs. Don’t short-change on tips for services.
9. Buy local: Choose locally-owned lodges & hotels. Use local transport, car rental agencies. Eat in local restaurants, shop in local markets, and attend local festivals/events.
10. Hire local guides: Enrich your experience and support the local economy. Ask guides if they are licensed and live locally.
Tips for Eco-friendly Travelling:
1. Fly Wisely: Minimize air travel. Carbon footprint is enormously high!
2. Travel Light: Pack only what you need not what is luxury.
3. Book Responsibly: When choosing your tour operator, select ones that has good awareness practices and ethical conduct.
4. Before You Leave: Turn off lights and unplug household appliances that can be left unplugged while you are away.
5. While You Are There: Turn off all the lights and air conditioner/heater when you leave your room, and unplug unnecessary appliances.
6. Greener Way To Get Around: Utilize public transportation (bus, train, city car, etc.) and alternative modes of transportation (walking, bicycle, non-motorized vehicles, horse/camel/bullock carts) as much as possible. It's a more sustainable way to get around, and also a healthier and more enjoyable way to get to know the place you are visiting.
7. Eat Local: Reduce your 'food miles' by choosing local. Visit a local farmer's market, shop at a locally owned grocery store and choose locally owned restaurants that buy local. Locally produced foods are a tastier and more sustainable option.
8. Save Water: Use the minimum amount of water needed for a shower/bath, don't let water run while shaving, brushing or washing, and check if the hotel has a linen reuse program - if so, reuse your towels and bed sheets by placing the card to indicate you don't wish to have them washed every day, if not, request hospitality staff not to change them every day.
9. Charge Your Trip Sustainably: Whenever possible, utilize options that do not require batteries. Buy rechargeable batteries for your essential travel items such as cameras, razors, and flash lights.
10. Offset the Unavoidable Footprint: Contribute to a credible carbon offsetting program to support conservation, renewable energy, and other energy saving projects.
Recommended Do's and Don'ts While Travelling:
By exploring alternative travel choices, you can have a unique trip and avoid leaving undesireable influences on local cultures, economies, and environment.
1. At the hotel: Ask about environmental preservation & conservation policies and practices. Talk with staff about working conditions. Does the hotel support local community initiatives?
2. Language: Learn a few words of the local language and use them.
3. Dress: Read up on local conventions and dress appropriately. In many places, modest dress is important.
4. Behaviour: Be respectful of local citizens’ privacy. Ask permission before entering sacred places, homes / private properties.
5. Photos: Be sensitive to when and where you take photos/video of people. Always ask first.
6. Environment: Respect the natural environment. Never touch or harass animals. Always follow designated trails. Support conservation by paying entrance fees to parks and protected sites.
7. Animal products: Never ever buy crafts or products made from protected or endangered animals. Never ask for wild-life meat.
8. Pay the fair price: Don’t engage in overly aggressive bargaining for souvenirs. Don’t short-change on tips for services.
9. Buy local: Choose locally-owned lodges & hotels. Use local transport, car rental agencies. Eat in local restaurants, shop in local markets, and attend local festivals/events.
10. Hire local guides: Enrich your experience and support the local economy. Ask guides if they are licensed and live locally.
Tips for Eco-friendly Travelling:
1. Fly Wisely: Minimize air travel. Carbon footprint is enormously high!
2. Travel Light: Pack only what you need not what is luxury.
3. Book Responsibly: When choosing your tour operator, select ones that has good awareness practices and ethical conduct.
4. Before You Leave: Turn off lights and unplug household appliances that can be left unplugged while you are away.
5. While You Are There: Turn off all the lights and air conditioner/heater when you leave your room, and unplug unnecessary appliances.
6. Greener Way To Get Around: Utilize public transportation (bus, train, city car, etc.) and alternative modes of transportation (walking, bicycle, non-motorized vehicles, horse/camel/bullock carts) as much as possible. It's a more sustainable way to get around, and also a healthier and more enjoyable way to get to know the place you are visiting.
7. Eat Local: Reduce your 'food miles' by choosing local. Visit a local farmer's market, shop at a locally owned grocery store and choose locally owned restaurants that buy local. Locally produced foods are a tastier and more sustainable option.
8. Save Water: Use the minimum amount of water needed for a shower/bath, don't let water run while shaving, brushing or washing, and check if the hotel has a linen reuse program - if so, reuse your towels and bed sheets by placing the card to indicate you don't wish to have them washed every day, if not, request hospitality staff not to change them every day.
9. Charge Your Trip Sustainably: Whenever possible, utilize options that do not require batteries. Buy rechargeable batteries for your essential travel items such as cameras, razors, and flash lights.
10. Offset the Unavoidable Footprint: Contribute to a credible carbon offsetting program to support conservation, renewable energy, and other energy saving projects.
Travel Happy!…Spreading happy energies during travel is good for the locals, good for the environment & great for YOU! ..And its ABSOLUTELY FREE! :-)
Tip: Jungle Lodges & Resorts run some fantastic properties in Karnataka, S.India! On offer are options of wildlife, adventure & water sports, hiking, angling, animal interaction, ayurveda breaks... More on www.junglelodges.com . Do call Moving Clouds before you finalize….we are Business Partners to JLR and can offer your better tariffs. Ofcourse, we have some superb 'eyeball-to-eyeball with nature' options too...pan India & Bhutan.
(Lft: JLR, Devbagh Island Beach Resort)
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