Pledge to Sustainability

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Definition

The Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:

-Minimize impact
-Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
-Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
-Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
-Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
-Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
-Support international human rights and labor agreements

Of course, it’s easy to say that we are dedicated to preserving the character of the destinations we visit. The reality is that this both complicated and demanding, and we are the first to acknowledge that bringing travelers to remote and not so remote destinations               inevitably has an environmental and cultural impact on those places.  But—and this is something to which we devote continual thought—we believe that, when all is said and done, many of our tours and itineraries provide meaningful and important ways for local people to create economic development, which in turn relieves pressure on indigenous resources. Our quarter of a century of experience has taught us that, when it’s intelligently done, travel is both positive for the visitor and the visited alike.

OUR PRINCIPLES
Principle I: E3 supports and participates in specific ongoing projects that further the concept of Responsible Travel both internationally and within my community.
Principle II: E3 is committed to sustainability in my office and in the community where the office is located (Seattle, Washington).
Principle III: E3 has a clear commitment to accountability in the communities where our trips take place.
Principle IV: Responsible travel education is a standard feature in the development of our trips and in preparing our travelers for their trips.
Principle V: E3 is committed to a systematic review of our how we are succeeding in promoting responsible travel.

E3 WAY TO TRAVEL
As we do our best to promote and sell responsible travel experiences, it is my utmost desire to attract travelers who share in my dedication to conserving the natural environments and native cultures you experience. We would hope that our clients consider what it is that we as responsible travelers stand for and that you do your very best to have these qualities translate into authentic action while traveling. We feel that no matter how hard we try to plan an itinerary, no matter the advice, no matter the care, your travel experience is ultimately dependent on your attitude, open mind and willingness to embrace the experience of travel, to truly be moved by your encounters. To facilitate this, we ask each of our clients to embrace the E3 Challenge while traveling…

The E3 Challenge – from the Ecotourism Society

Ecotourism Society challenges travelers, we challenge our clients, we want you to experience the world from a different vantage point while traveling with E3 and explore a more satisfying way to travel that can challenge you to rediscover your passions, learn about the places and people you visit, and help sustain the fragile environments, economies and disappearing cultures of the earth.

Think back to your last vacation. Perhaps you went to the coast or the mountains or to visit a foreign capital. The trip was pleasant, even exciting. But while you returned home relaxed, you didn't feel changed by the experience: you came back the same person you were before you left.

Now imagine traveling with a purpose--a personal one and a global one--and returning home reinvigorated, refreshed and fulfilled. Imagine having seen and experienced things you never thought possible, stretched yourself and left a positive impact on the people and places you visited.

By looking at travel from a different vantage point, you will discover the benefits of meaningful, purposeful travel.  E3 would like to help you accomplish this…

 - Rediscover Your Passions (Challenge, Live, Grow)
What is your top priority when you plan a vacation? Location? Cost? The availability of fine dining and accommodations? Cultural or natural attractions?   Most tourists choose a vacation based on where they want to go--the beach, a cultural center, a shopping destination-- not what they want to learn. But E3 travelers organize their trips around a life passion. They travel to learn and experience something very personal and meaningful.

 - Broaden Your Horizons
The temptation to plan a vacation in which everything is familiar and convenient is always strong. Tour companies offer resort packages catering to our desire to sit in a lounge chair by the pool and be waited on, without ever venturing off the resort grounds. But after a while, we can get restless.

Travel with E3 offers you the opportunity to broaden your horizons through travel experiences. It allows you to explore and stretch yourself beyond what is comfortable and familiar. It takes you off the beaten path into genuine interchange with the local environment and culture, and gives you a deeper appreciation for the diversity of our world and of your own capacity to understand.

When you make travel choices, look for opportunities to visit less frequented sites and cultural events. Seek authentic ways to interact with local people. Stay in hotels, inns and lodges owned and operated by locals. Look for local guides who know the area and its culture and are willing to take you places off the tourist map.   Stretch yourself, explore and return home challenged, stimulated and fulfilled: you will have glimpsed a new horizon beyond your comfort zone and learned how exciting travel can really be.

 - Sustain the Environment and Indigenous Cultures of the Earth
Tourism and travel, as global industries, have many different impacts on both the environment and the cultures of the world. Fragile natural resources like beaches and coral reefs can be destroyed by too many tourists or irresponsible development. Animal habitats can be devastated by visitors, and indigenous cultures can be altered forever by tourists and foreign corporations bringing money and goods.

No matter where you go or how you travel, you will have an effect on the environment and the people you visit. But traveling responsibly can have minimal negative impact, and, in many cases, can actually help conserve the environment and preserve indigenous cultures.

Ecotravel respects the diversity and fragility of the environment and cultures of the earth. That doesn't mean you must forgo a desire to kayak off the coast of Central America or take a safari in Africa, but it does mean that the choices you make about how you travel should take your impact into account.

Through increased awareness and a desire to help preserve natural and cultural resources for the good of the planet, Ecotravelers can pursue their passions and have positive impacts at the same time.

 - Spread The Wealth
Just as ecotravel is dedicated to preserving and sustaining the diversity of our world's natural and cultural environments, it also strives to encourage and support the diversity of local economies for whom tourism-related income is vital.

We ask our clients to be aware that their travel dollars make a big difference to local people and businesses. With support from tourists, local services and producers can compete with larger, foreign companies and local families can support themselves.   Moreover, the income generated by travel taxes helps and encourages local governments to fund conservation projects and training programs.