Philippines small group tour, 13 days

Planet

Tourism is in its infancy in the Philippines, especially so in Luzon, the island where this trip is focused. We therefore want to ensure our groups are leading by example by recycling and re-using where possible, and ensuring that all waste is disposed of appropriately. We manage water consumption and reduce waste on this trip by encouraging people to bring along re-usable bottles and by supplying a large tank of fresh drinking water on our coach, available for refills.

The Philippines is a part of the Coral Triangle, and has one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on our planet. These systems are fragile and threatened by increases in tourist development together with the rise of sea surface temperature due to climate change. Our groups are well informed about the impact of interfering with this ecosystem with those wishing to snorkel or dive being briefed on how to do so responsibly with minimal impact.

All guests are asked to bring their own water bottles to refill rather than purchasing plastic water bottles.

As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy.

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

Accommodation used on the trip is in smaller, often family or locally managed establishments such as the Hotel Felicidad in Vigan which was built in 1918 as a house and stayed in the same family until recently. It has a rich history. The Abes Farm is another iconic property founded by a famous local journalist and with its own museum dedicated to his achievements.

As we only provide breakfast on this trip, apart from one lunch, our guests are encouraged to utilise local restaurants and local produce which enhances the sustainability of this trip and helps to support the local community.

In the Philippines we use skilled local leaders that are passionate about showcasing their country and its rich heritage. We provide extensive training opportunities for our Leaders, with many of our Filipino leaders travelling to the UK for an intensive training course, empowering them with the skills and knowledge they need to become industry-leading Tour Leaders.

The 2000 year-old rice terraces of Banaue are quite rightly a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the local Ifugio people still live and harvest their rice using traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. We aim to visit this ancient marvel of engineering and the hardy people that work here in a responsible manner, employing the services of an expert local guide known and respected within the community. This brings an authentic experience ensuring local interaction is positive and genuine. We also have the opportunity to purchase locally made artwork and crafts, ensuring our money is put directly into the community, right at the source.

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.