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Click here to view our Responsible Tourism Policy in full and our Position Statements on specific issues.
Policy
African Insight understands the negative impact that tourism can have, particularly in a society like South Africa, which has structural inequalities relating to race and gender, cultural diversity as well as a wealth of natural heritage, and cultural diversity.
African Insight believes that Responsible Tourism is the only sustainable approach to tourism and that it is an integral part of the approach adopted in conducting its business operations. A Responsible Tourism Policy has been developed with an understanding of, and taking into account, the “triple bottom line” as defined by the following three strands:
Through the successful implementation of its Responsible Tourism Policy, African Insight believes that success can be achieved and measured by:
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- An improvement in the social and economic well - being of the local communities in which we operate
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- Greater environmental sustainability, and hence enhanced long-term prospects of the tourism product
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- A greater respect for wildlife and knowledge of animal welfare and conservation issues by visitors, suppliers and local host communities
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Product Evaluation
The concept of Responsible Tourism is currently in an early stage of adoption and implementation in South Africa. There are therefore insufficient products that carry the independent endorsement of organisations such as FTTSA (Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa) to sustain any tour-operating enterprise.
As an interim measure African Insight has, in conjunction with Tribal Voice Communications, an international Responsible Tourism Consultancy based in the UK, launched its own programme of assessing suppliers based on meeting essential criteria so as not to conflict with any aspect of the African Insight Responsible Tourism Policy and to promote the concept of full FTTSA accreditation.
Clients booking trips with African Insight have access to further information regarding this assessment process as well as an executive summary of the salient facts pertaining to products that have performed well in the African Insight Responsible Tourism assessment process.
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