Oman holidays, Arabian sands

Planet

All accommodation is locally owned and in which you experience great food, most of which is sourced locally. This not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of percolating money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit.

As a company we aim to encourage interaction with local communities while showing respect for local culture, beliefs and traditions, as well as the importance of respecting the natural surroundings and not leaving a trace, in order to protect places for generations to come. This helps break down cultural barriers and fosters a spirit of mutual respect and understanding. Our Tour Leaders are trained by us in the importance of responsible tourism with guidance given on how they can make a difference.

In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.

As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.

People

An amazing number of people benefit from this trip, from restaurateurs to local guides, drivers of buses and 4WD vehicles - even the local bedouin from whom travellers buy fresh produce.

This means that unlike a more conventional ‘package holiday’ the money we spend contributes towards generating an income for a vast number of people. We travel by small charter bus, not large coach, and 4WDs. Money spent on entrance fees contributes to the ongoing maintenance of desert castles whilst our visit to the Wahiba Sands helps fix in locals' minds the importance of conservation to their future.