Tour Types
VOLUNTOURISM.CO.UK MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
As a basis for our membership criteria we use the Cape Town Declaration.
In 2002, 280 representatives for 20 countries made an agreed declaration at the Cape Town conference that responsible tourism:
- minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
- generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities; improves working conditions and access to the industry
- involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
- makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity
- provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
- provides access for physically challenged people
- is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence
We will only feature operators and accommodation providers that strive to comply with the sprit of the declaration as much as they reasonably can do so.
There is no established code of practice for tour operators and accommodation owners that provide services or products under such headings as Voluntourism, Volunteer travel, Responsible Tourism, Ethical Tourism, Green Tourism, Eco Tourism, Sustainable Tourism etc. In order that a provider can become a member of Voluntourism.co.uk, we will therefore take into account membership of recognised organisations and whether the provider has demonstrably good practice and procedures. We will also need evidence of conforming to our minimum standards.
For ease of use, we use the term "responsible tourism" to cover other terms such as voluntourism etc. The term "member" covers providers of any product featured on the site.
Membership of voluntourism.co.uk will also allow membership of our associated sites.
To become a member of Voluntourism.co.uk, tour operators and providers must confirm that their policies and operating procedures meet with our minimum standards. To feature on the site any provider of Accommodation or tours under the headings of Voluntourism, Volunteer Programs or Responsible Tourism must provide up to date evidence that:-
- It has in place a responsible tourism policy that all staff both in the UK and abroad are aware of and implement. That this policy is supplied to all clients and suppliers for their information and that they are encouraged to adhere to it at all times.
In line with the need to limit the social and environmental impact of tourism, we ask that operators also provide us with evidence of the initiatives and undertakings that they endorse. We therefore require evidence of the following:-
- Travellers are fully appraised in advance of the steps necessary to minimise their impact on the particular environments that they visit. In particular, advice for travellers as to how they can limit their impact on local ecosystems and wildlife and their consumption of natural resources such as water should be provided.
- Details of attractions or destinations that should be encouraged from an environmental, social or economic perspective and conversely those that should be avoided.
- Travellers are updated on the particular social and political situations prevalent at their destination and the impact that their visit can have from a cultural perspective and that this impact is minimised by the provision of local guides wherever possible to ensure smooth integration.
- Travellers are encouraged wherever possible to utilise the services of the local community in order to effectively promote growth and economic stability in the destination communities and that, wherever possible, all provisions from suppliers at the destination are sourced locally.
Voluntourism.co.uk aims to provide a facility for interaction between responsible tourism travellers and selected providers to ensure that the ethos and benefits of responsible tourism continue to flourish. To that end, insofar as possible, we have been careful to ensure that those providers that we feature on our sites meet our minimum standards with regard to the social, environmental and economical criteria that define responsible tourism.
In determining whether or not our member operators have met and exceeded these standards it is not sufficient that they adopt a responsible ethos in general for the holidays that they offer. Rather, we ask that every aspect of the tours offered is audited from a responsible tourism perspective, be it the accommodation offered at destination or the additional excursions that are advertised. It will only be those venues, tours and destinations that meet our criteria that will have the endorsement of Voluntourism.co.uk.
In order that we can guarantee the responsible policies of our members, we will request independently that those travellers who have experienced members' trips or accommodation provide a candid review of their experience on all aspects of the tour. Using the feedback acquired from travellers we will be able to continually update and improve the knowledge base and the products offered by our members.
In the event of us receiving negative feedback on a specific aspect of a tour booked with one of our members, we will contact that member for a response, which we may publish on the site. Until such a response is received we will reserve the right to suspend that particular trip on the site. Once a satisfactory response is received we will reinstate the trip on the understanding that any future negative feedback will result in removal from the site, unless significant mitigating/positive feedback is received. If a member has several such transgressions, then their membership will be have to be reviewed and we will consult them to seek assurances that such instances are isolated and being improved. Should we be made aware of a member that is consistently failing to meet the requirements set out or whom we feel has been misleading in their responsible travel policy and statements, we will be forced to review their continuing membership of Volutourism.co.uk.