Responsible Tourism

Ethical Awareness

Ethical awareness when travelling encompasses many aspects. In essence, it is about making sure that the local people we all rely on for the provision of food, accommodation, transport, souvenirs and leisure activities whilst travelling, get a fair deal for the services they provide. There are a number of ways in which this can be done.

Typically these steps include using locally run hotels rather than big international chains (enabling a larger proportion of the money to enter the local economy), making use of local transport and guides where possible, and fair working conditions for porters where they are used.

Porter Protection has had much press lately and rightly so. Campaigns by the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG) and Tourism Concern have highlighted appalling abuse of porters by some tour companies and individuals. The IPPG's aim is for every porter to have:

• Access to adequate clothing, boots, shelter and food (appropriate to the altitude and weather)
• Medical care when ill or injured
• Insurance

The essential message is do not stop trekking or using porters, as they very much need the work. Instead, make sure that you or the tour operator you use looks after their porters and treats them with respect and dignity.

The STC has made a commitment to only use trekking companies that have demonstrated a clear policy to Tourism Concern on the rights of porters and their working conditions.