RESPONSIBLE TO LOCAL TOURISM

FTO Responsible Tourism Committee

Statement of Commitment

1.Commitment to sustainable development and management of Tourism

1.1.We commit to work towards developing, operating and marketing tourism in a sustainable manner; ie. tourism which makes a positive contribution to the natural and cultural environment, which generate benefits for the host communities, and which do not put at risk the future livelihood of local people.

1.2.As Tour Operators we believe that we can be important contributors to Sustainable Tourism Development. We will strive to anticipate and prevent economic, environmental, social and cultural degradation. We will work towards integrating these considerations into our operations and activities.

2.Principles of sustainable development and management of tourism

2.1.We recognise that tourism can contribute to the viability of local economies, and that tourism can have negative impacts on the economy, environment, nature, social structures and local cultures. In the long-term interest of host communities and our industry, we will endeavour to prevent or minimise these impacts.

2.2.We are committed to complying with local, national and international laws and regulations applicable to our business activities.

2.3.We oppose and actively discourage illegal, abusive or exploitative forms of tourism.

2.3.1.In particular, we support the work of ECPAT (Elimination of Child Prostitution and Trafficking) and will endeavour to work with them in developing guidelines for Tour Operators and their customers

2.4.We are committed to a continual attempt to improve our performance in the context of sustainable development and management of tourism.

2.5.We will manage and monitor the environmental, cultural and social impacts of our activities.

2.5.1.In particular, we will endeavour to adopt, as appropriate, the steps and procedures of the FTO Integrated Responsible Tourism Programme (IRTP), and agree to supply such documentation, as may be required by the FTO, to verify that we have successfully completed the necessary steps.

2.6.We will strive to pursue best practice in all our activities - internally and when forming business relationships with partners, suppliers and sub-contractors.

2.6.1.We endeavour to make responsible use of natural resources (e.g. land, soil, energy, water)

2.6.2.We are committed to reducing, minimizing and preventing pollution and waste (e.g. solid and liquid waste, emissions to air)

2.6.3.We are committed to conserving plants, animals, ecosystems and protected areas (biodiversity)

2.6.4.We are committed to conserving landscapes, cultural and natural heritage,

respecting the integrity of local cultures and avoiding negative effects on social structures

2.6.5.We are committed to involving, and co-operating with, local communities and people

2.6.6.We are committed to using local products and skills wherever practicable.

2.7.We will encourage our partners, suppliers and sub-contractors to improve their contribution to sustainable development and management of tourism, and will work with them and share information to assist in this.

2.8.We will seek greater co-operation within the tourism industry and between this industry and the public sector in order to further Sustainable Tourism.

2.8.1.In particular, we commit to supporting the Travel Foundation by joining the Travel Foundation Forum

2.9. We shall encourage and seek to co-operate with national and local authorities, local communities, or any other interested party, to develop and implement the integrated planning and management of destinations in order to preserve the quality and sustainability of these destinations.

2.10.Within twelve calendar months of signing this commitment, we will develop these principles into a corporate policy. As part of this we will define measurable goals, and will monitor and report publicly on our progress.

3.Public awareness and communication

3.1.We will endeavour in our public communication and advertising to promote behaviour and activities compatible with the principles of sustainable development and management of tourism.

We support the principles of The FTO RT Committee as outlined in this document.

FTO member company: Vietnam Bike Tours

Date: 23 Jan 2011

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