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The Mountain Company is committed to adopting a responsible attitude to the areas we visit. We are guests of the communities we pass through and with some thought and care we can ensure that everyone benefits from the experience.
Our responsible tourism policy aims to ensure that The Mountain Company and its clients act in a way that is socially, environmentally and culturally sound.
If you have any suggestions or comments regarding our Responsible Tourism policy, please get in contact with us.
The Mountain Company's Responsible Tourism policy:
- All areas of our operations are planned with responsible tourism in mind and we require our business partners to support this vision.
- Porter welfare is a top priority, our local partners are monitored on a continual basis and post trip questionnaires are read and acted upon where necessary. We do our utmost to comply with the International Porter Protection guidelines (IPPG) and have shown our support by becoming an IPPG Camp 1 sponsor http://www.ippg.net
- The Mountain Company has been selected as a Responsible Travel Partner to the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC), for more information
- The Mountain Company is a life member of Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP). KEEP is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation with two main aims, firstly to provide impartial and independent information to travellers, and secondly to ensure the future ecological and cultural prosperity of Nepal through positive impact tourism and outreach project work http://www.keepnepal.org
- The Mountain Company will offset its carbon dioxide emissions each year by contributing to Climate Care who fund projects around the world to reduce greenhouse gases http://www.climatecare.org
- Appropriate behaviour is encouraged by providing Trip Dossiers with sections on social and cultural awareness and by using local guides who discuss these issues with the group.
- In the office we recycle and reduce waste.
We believe that our clients have an important role to play as well, with each person ultimately determining the overall impact of the group in the area visited. The following are some ideas you might like to consider:
Economic:
- Buy locally made crafts and support local skills to encourage the positive sides of tourism.
- Consider tipping a reasonable amount for good service.
- Bargaining is an accepted practice in all of the countries we visit- but do so in a good humour and bear in mind the amount of money you are haggling over!
- Think carefully about giving money to beggars, it is often more effective to give money to local charity to reduce reliance and expectation.
Social:
- Learn some words of the local language, this is appreciated and often results in getting more out of the experience.
- Ask for permission before taking photographs out of respect for the local people.
- Enjoy the areas you visit but, if possible, try and leave in a better state than you found them in.
- Respect the local laws, customs and cultural beliefs.
- Observe the dress code of the area and be aware of differences in social behaviour and norms.
- Do not buy ancient artefacts or souvenirs made from endangered species (eg ivory).
Environment:
- Try not to damage any plants you see on the trail.
- Wild animals should not be touched, fed or disturbed and do not encourage local people to parade animals.
- Do not collect firewood, all the treks use kerosene for cooking.
- Ask permission before using a village well or pump.
- Please burn all loo paper and bury away from a water source (30m) and please use toilet facilities if they exist.
- Our policy is to carry out all non biodegradable rubbish, if any is left behind in the morning, please bring to the guides attention.
- Bring along environmentally friendly detergents and shampoos and use as little as possible to keep fresh water supplies free from pollution.
- Be economical in using fresh water for showering and washing as often they are in short supply.
- Consider offsetting environmental effects of international travel by contributing to Climate Care.
The Mountain Company is proactive in supporting ethical tourism, for example after the Pakistan earthquake we co-ordinated a UK wide collection of warm clothes and tents, for more information click here
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