|
The only trace that we leave are our footprints and the memories of the journey we have been on
Connecting Cultures aims to enhance the lives of everyone connected with our tours: Our clients, our tour operators and the lives of those we come in contact with in the regions in which we travel.
We implement practical measures that have an attitude of respect for lives and cultures and environments, and ensure that local communities benefit from our tours and that we leave a positive image of visitors with the local people.
We are committed to supporting communities growing sustainability support educational, health and environmental projects within each country. For instance: Me Dewa Dewa Tour Company from Bali direct profits back into investing in healthy communities within their own village called Bona Village in Ubud, Bali supporting families who have difficulties in meeting medical and schooling bills.
There is also another a project being supported by Me Dewa Dewa Tour Company which is the Merajan temple building project based in Bona village near the river, which is a family temple and will be welcoming guests from across the world.
Similar projects are being developed in India. We are developing dialogues with local leaders within the region of Rajasthan who are designing programs that support women to have safe accommodation and develop healthy livelihoods from what exists within the local community.
Through these local communities we are able to offer you the opportunity to return and visit these communities at a later date so that you can experience first hand how these communities are growing and developing programs to meet the needs of their people.
Return time and time again knowing that you and your group participants have generously contributed to making this world a better place. By giving you too are receiving, and leaving a positive footprint now and for future generations to come.
At times we will be running leadership and volunteer programs where you can participate in developing projects within these communities – working alongside people of wisdom and elders within these indigenous communities.
Connecting Cultures On Tour and Events Practices
- We employ and support local businesses, such as accommodation and restaurants that are authentic and traditional in style, who provide excellent friendly service.
We aim to promote and use local Restaurants that use fresh organic foods that are either grown by them or supplied by local producers to create wonderfully tantalizing dishes that represent the region in which we travel to.
For instance in South India, we have beautiful natural health resorts for you to choose from that are based in the lush green state of Kerala. Our guests can relax and enjoy the daily complimentary yoga and meditation sessions, and receive massages and health treatments by holistic health experts in the field of Ayurveda. All of the oils and products used in these treatments are derived from natural organic ingredients. The Health resorts are all designed to blend in with nature, and use a number of energy saving methods such as harvesting and reusing water, solar power and natural local materials used in buildings.
Guests enjoy eating delicious vegetarian food that has come straight from their organic gardens. Staff that run the complimentary yoga and meditation classes are some of the best alternative health practitioners the world has to offer.
- Everyone associated with our tours, wherever they are run are paid a fair and reasonable amount for their services and you have an assurance that no one is unfairly treated. Our local tour guides are paid some of the best guide fees in the local travel industry.
- We encourage guests to support local artisans and buy locally made crafts from local shopping bazaars and market stalls that that we believe will provide you with the best value.
- Our tour guides use small buses and other vehicles supplied from local suppliers.
- Our passionate, enthusiastic and well trained Tour leaders live and work in the region that you are traveling to. For instance in Bali Ubud local tour guides have been trained up at a local Balinese University that promotes local people training in Tourism and hospitality. Tour leaders become mentors of new guides coming up through the ranks.
Your Cultural Footprint - Culturally Sensitive Travel
- We ask you to keep to designated pathways inside national parks so that there is minimal disturbance to local wildlife and the natural environment. The money you pay as the entrance fee for the parks you visit is invested in maintaining the parks and protecting the wildlife.
- While on the trip we encourage our guests not to buy plastic bottled water but carry their own drinking bottle and we ensure you have fresh safe water to drink which is provided by our travel team.
- We discourage the use of throw away packaging and we provide you with a reusable natural organic fiber carry travel bag. Also consider cutting down on throw away packaging that you may want to bring with you as waste disposal is a problem.
- Remember that we are visitors and guests in someone’s community, village or home:
If possible before you leave home try and learn what is appropriate behavior and body language and modes of dressing so as not to offend. There are guidelines and rules of behavior expected and laws to obey in each region and country we travel in (please read the tour brochures). It is a sign of respect if you can say in the local language hello and thank you, plus you will get a broad grin from the person you are speaking to.
- By all means bring along your camera or video to be able to get wonderful memories of your trip, but be sensitive to people’s privacy. If you engage in a friendly interaction with the person first then ask permission to take a photo then people feel more comfortable for their photo to be taken.
- Bargaining with locals is an expected way of life in some countries such as India. It can be fun to haggle and get the price down on a purchase, but remember $1 to you could mean a meal for a person in India. Be generous and always try to leave a tip.
- Accept the challenges that you may face when annoyed with someone on your travels, simply see the humour in the situation smile and move on.
- Try to learn a few words of the local language, e.g. "hello" and "thank you" at the very least. The locals love it, and see it as a sign of respect.
We continually monitor and refine our practices to ensure that we meet our aims and appreciate your feedback and ideas on how to achieve these ends.
|