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Why Travel With Us
Ecotourism
is one of the fastest growing markets of the tourism industry. But
with many companies claiming to offer "ecotourism," how can you
be sure that your travel experience is really helping the
environment? When you choose one of our tours, you'll contribute
through the following
ecotourism principles:
- Alternative income generation: Through employment with
community-based ecotourism companies, local villagers are able to earn
much-needed income that replaces income earned through destructive
activities such as charcoal-making, hunting, illegal logging and
fishing.
- Alternative energy and waste management: Biogas, solar panels
and in some cases wind or hydropower help reduce the strain on natural
resources that tourism can bring to a community. Waste
management policies are also a key component of the operations of each
of our ecotourism companies.
- Financial contributions: All of our companies donate 10% of
their net profit to a conservation and community development fund
which provides financial support for community
development and conservation projects in local areas. A
Management Committee
including NGO, government and community representatives oversees and approves all projects
initiated with fund monies. Visitor entrance fees, conservation
taxes and visitor donations are other ways your visit may help provide
financial support.
- Visitor management and impact monitoring: To ensure that visitor activities do not have any
significant negative impacts on the resources of the area, visitor management systems are being established that include
zoning to control areas and numbers of tourists in certain
areas, codes of conduct for
ecotourists and tour operators, village ecotourism monitoring
teams and enforcement regulations and mechanisms.
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- Community employment and training: Managers and
employees of our companies are local community members who benefit
directly through skills training such as nature guiding, hospitality
services, business management and English language.
- Community-owned and managed: Our companies are owned and
managed by local community members, enabling the community to direct
and influence the development of tourism in their area, and keeping
the majority of income earned within the community.
- Community development financing: A portion of profits
generated through these itineraries goes to funding community
development projects, such as micro-hydroelectricity, irrigation,
education and health services. Community members determine what
types of projects should be implemented.
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- Increased cultural value: By seeing the interest and
enthusiasm that visitors have for learning about local cultural
traditions and heritage, the value of this cultural heritage increases
among community members. Our itineraries are designed to
educate visitors about the local Naxi and Yi cultures and provide
opportunities to directly experience some of the traditions and
customs of these cultures.
- Community vision guidelines and impact monitoring: For the
villages where our companies operate, a community vision has been
discussed by community members to identify cultural traditions that
they wish to preserve. With these guidelines in place, the
impact of tourism on traditional customs can be measured and controls
can be established if it is determined that tourism is having an
negative effect on the local cultures. Tourist and tour
operator codes of conduct help
reduce the potential impact.
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Codes of Conduct
About Our Companies
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About the Area
Itineraries
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