What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable Tourism is perhaps the most important philosophy guiding Overland Travel. According to the World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism is tourism that makes proper use of environmental resources that help conserve natural heritage and biodiversity, respects the cultural authenticity of host communities and provides socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders.

For tourists, sustainable tourism should maintain a high level of visitor satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience that raises awareness about sustainability issues in the area visited and encourages responsible tourism practices.

As stakeholders in the local environment, the quality of the destinations and way of life for their inhabitants, we as operators and you as visitors all have an obligation to uphold sound principles of sustainable tourism to ensure that these places exist for future generations to enjoy.  

How Do We Promote Sustainable Tourism?

Because we link the tourism suppliers with the visitors, we take our role in sustainable tourism very seriously.  Our operations are designed to enhance economic benefits for local communities, help preserve their culture and reducing environmental impacts, while creating an enriching and eye-opening experience for tourists.

Prior to departure, we hope to prepare our visitors with information about the local cultures and native animals and plants by offering literature and briefings that will foster a responsible attitude. We encourage visitors to read our educational materials as well as external resources that will educate tourists on their behavior and will enhance the impact of the sites and cultures to be experienced. This includes general travel ethics as well as behaviors relevant to particular cultures or sites on the itinerary.  

Group size is an important factor in the impact on a destination.  Groups that are too large may have a detrimental impact on the environment and infrastructure in a destination, leading to degradation of important sites and waste and water management problems. Our small groups will leave a minimal footprint on the environment, and we will work to avoid areas that are mismanaged or degraded by overcrowding from tourism.

We also provide competitive, local employment throughout all aspects of business operations, which minimize leakages and keep tourism income within the local communities. This includes drivers, guides, office workers and suppliers such as guesthouse operators and restaurants.

What Can You Do to Promote Sustainable Tourism?

While we take great measures to ensure that your visit will leave no footprints on the destinations you visit, you must share in the responsibility in order to ensure that this goal is achieved.  We provide resources for you to educate yourself prior to visiting, but it is up to you to use the information to everyone's benefit. Learning about a host culture or the significance of local sites will prove to be enriching, and hopefully foster a genuine care for these places.

Still, while vacationing, there are many easy actions that you can take to have a positive benefit:

• Avoid littering. While this is fairly obvious, please show respect for the destination and its people by always being responsible for your trash. When hiking, bring a trash bag for your waste that can be disposed of at a convenient place. If possible, please recycle. This will be facilitated by your guide.

• Monitor your water usage. The availability of a clean water supply is a growing problem, and tourists often disregard this when showering or washing up. While brushing your teeth, do not leave the faucet running. Do not shower for any longer than is necessary. Minimizing water usage is very easy, but is often overlooked and will have a tremendous impact on a destination's resources.

• Buy locally made products. We will work to provide you with opportunities that allow you to shop for souvenirs and gifts with local suppliers, helping to identify authentic and high-quality goods. While bargaining is commonplace, and can also be quite fun, it is important to remember that these merchants rely on this money for their livelihood. Always expect a higher price than you should pay, but forcing them to lower the price to less than you would be willing to pay may provide a minimal benefit.

• Offset your carbon emissions. We recognize that traveling to China requires a great deal of air travel, and while we cannot require this, we strongly recommend that you act to minimize the impact of your air travel by offsetting your carbon emissions. For more information and carbon offsetting and how you can reduce your carbon emissions from travel, please visit CarbonFund.org.