This article from our May 2007 edition of the Get’Away Travel-Zine begins by asking, “How Ethical is Your Travel?”. It explores the basic questions holidaymakers should ask before they book a holiday and suggests a standard Holidaymakers Travel Responsibility (HTR) position.  It is still the case that it is indeed relevant that when holidaymakers are first looking to book a holiday that they should examine the social and political situation of their intended destination.  Tourism Concern provides an excellent example and guide to intending holidaymakers as to the issues that holidaymakers should be concerned with!  For example, did you know that Maldivian people are reported to be living on less than $1 a day and that 30% of Maldivian children under 5 are suffering from malnutrition?  Were you aware that in parts of India, whole communities are being displaced to make way for tourism following the effects of the Tsunami?  The imprisonment of Daw Aung Sang Suu Kyi in Burma and the displacement of local peoples and the enforced labour to build tourism centres continues to play a major role on the international stage!  If you thought that this was simply about destinations that are not yet popular with British Tourists, think again!  Tourism Concern have created a 10 minute video entitled ‘Sun, Sand, Sea & Sweatshops’ in which they examine the poor rights given to workers in Mexico & the Dominican Republic!  If you really want to know what is happening behind the glossy holiday brochures then you should read the major report from Tourim Concern – Putting Tourism to Rights!  Read More

We have gathered together some of our own articles and other articles of interest which should provoke further thought for the intending holidaymaker: Read More

The issues of Ethical and Moral Travel must be jointly considered with the Travel Industry. Is is right that the onus of responsibility be placed entirely on the Holidaymaker? Is it just about planting trees? We think not! Recently we have seen some tour companies placing an ‘eco’ charge on their customers, we think to satisfy the current soundbite. However, we also have to give credit to this first tentative step, a step that leads to a greater corporate ethic within the early years of the 21st century. Read More

We recently received a call for help from a holidaymaker who purchased a diamond in Turkey. The Holidaymaker paid over £2,500.00 for his diamond and was promised documentation to prove its authenticity. Read More

Tourism Concern is an Organisation dedicated to the promotion of Ethical Travel, who develop projects to demonstrate that there is another way to organise travel for the benefit of local communities. We recommend a visit to this website which contains a wonderful and humbling photographic record and comments from people within the travel industry. It also contains useful information on workers rights, water and development issues. Their travel code is simple; Learn about the Country you are visiting, Think about the cost of your holiday, Open your mind to new cultures and traditions, minimise your environmental impact, Use guidebooks to broaden you knowledge, use photography with respect. Visit the Read more on other ethical groups. Read More

We examine the issues swirling around the ‘Green’ flight debate. We provide a summary and ask, when are politicians and Industry going to provide a coherent response to the problem? The consumers are waiting to follow in the most effective way! Read More

In this issue we highlight three areas of growing concern – Aerotoxic Syndrome, How Safe are Kids Clubs, and the continuing threat to the Package Travel Regulations. Aerotoxic Syndrome is an issue that effects all air passengers, pilots and cabin crew. We have publicly called upon the Government to act to protect all air travellers and airline employees. Read More