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testimonals Here's what some of our volunteers have to say about The Elephant Mahout Project more



Disclaimer
Press Release
  Sustainable Tourism

Also known as ecotourism, ecological or responsible tourism, this is becoming a more popular way to travel and enjoy a holiday that doesn't have a negative impact on the area that you are visiting; in fact it aims to have a positive impact on the area.

Sustainable tourism is defined by The International Ecotourism Society as 'tourism that meets the needs of tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future.'

Ecotourism is any type of travel that does not involve mass tourism (i.e. beach holidays or sightseeing tours) this could be volunteering or backpacking for example.

Responsible travel is simply travelers being more aware about how they act in the country they are traveling to - see our tips below - It is the first step in sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism is for ecologically and socially conscious individuals and focuses on personal development and growth, learning new ways to live, experiencing the way that other cultures live; and importantly helping to maintain that culture.

Sustainable tourism involves travel to areas where local fauna and habitat will not be damaged by visiting travelers. Any travel classed as 'sustainable' must minimize the negative aspects of tourism on the environment whilst enhancing the cultural integrity of local people and enabling them to positively benefit from visiting tourists




Sustainable tourism should meet some, or all, of the following criteria:
1. Minimize the negative impacts of tourism
2. Employ local people and give money back to the community
3. Educate visitors about the local environment and culture
4. Cooperate with local people to manage natural areas
5. Provide a positive, non-exploitative, experience for the visitors and hosts
6. Have minimum impact on local flora, fauna and habitat


The elephant mahout project aims to promote sustainable tourism in a number of ways:
1. The project is non-profit. Fees for participation are used to provide a salary for the mahouts, food for the elephants and to improve the lives of the elephants and mahouts at the camp e.g. by providing building materials
2. People working within the project are local: the mahouts work as guides and educators with volunteers, accommodation is either at the camp as a home-stay or is locally owned, and food is either grown at the camp or sourced locally
3. A major aim and activity of the project is the education of tourists - local and visiting - of the dangers facing the Thai elephant and their mahout and the importance of maintaining them within Thai culture
4. The elephant camp has a natural, essential system of recycling which visitors and volunteers are encouraged to continue and learn from
5. The mahouts and their families benefit from positive encounters with tourists that respect their culture and want to learn about and contribute to their way of life


To promote sustainable tourism and become a responsible traveler try to follow some of these steps:
1. Learn about the culture of the area you are visiting before you travel - see our tips on Thai culture
2. Try to learn a small amount of the language of the country you are visiting - see our useful Thai phrases
3. Do not enter homes, buildings or holy sights without first asking permission
4. Support local businesses by using locally owned accommodation, restaurants, tour guides and shops and find out where locals eat and go on their days off
5. Try to buy locally produced goods and food
6. Respect local customs and behaviors, such as eating different types of foods - try something different, you may like it!
7. Ask before you take photographs of people
8. Do not buy products made from endangered species e.g. ivory, hard woods, shells from beach traders or ancient artefacts.
9. Use public transport wherever possible - this is also an excellent way to get closer to the local community and see and experience the true heart of the country you are visiting
10. Take small gifts to give thanks for help and hospitality - postcards from home, crayons and pencils for children, football memorabilia etc
11. Don't assume that people are inferior, or treat them as such, because they lead a different lifestyle to you - try to remember that they are just different
12. Try to maintain a sense of humour and patience if things aren't going exactly to plan or are taking a little longer than you expect - in Thailand it's known as 'Thai time'
13. RRespect the environment. Take litter home with you and use water sparingly - in many countries, sufficient clean water is a valuable resource
14. If possible, support organisations working for the preservation and conservation of natural and cultural resources and the rights of workers in tourism fields
15. Most of all have a spirit of adventure, discovery, tolerance, acceptance - and a sense of humour!