Responsible Tourism and Sustainability Policy

Through travel, everyone can gain a greater understanding, appreciation, and respect for other countries and the wonderfully diverse cultures and ecosystems found around the globe. Respect should not be an entirely one-way occurrence. When we travel, we are ambassadors for our own country. I strive to be aware of the impact I may have, and by respecting others, their traditions and beliefs, I hope to gain their respect in return.

However, few with a love of journeying far and wide can claim to always travel in the most sustainable manner at all times. Flying, for example, is well-known not to be the most eco-friendly mode of transport but it is very often the most convenient, the cheapest and sometimes the only viable option available. Responsible Tourism can be a powerful tool used to promote the appreciation and conservation of both cultures and ecosystems, and I believe flying is a necessary evil to further this aim. That being said, I wholeheartedly support airlines and airports striving to reduce their carbon footprint. I am also actively seeking to spend more time travelling closer to home, where no flight is necessary. There’s a lot on my doorstep that I have yet to discover.

Responsible Tourism and Sustainability Policy

When I started Travel With Kat, I did not set out to write a responsible travel blog but from time to time I write about subjects that fall under this umbrella and, with the above in mind, have adopted the following Responsible Tourism and Sustainability Policy.

Respect and promote the respect of local indigenous people, their customs, traditions and beliefs.
Contribute to the local economy by supporting local businesses.
Learn about local customs, cultures and cuisines.
Respect the environment and promote environmental conservation.
Promote animal welfare and the ethos that wild animals should remain wild (and not be habituated to humans).
Never support or promote any organisation or activity that potentially damages the environment or negatively impacts on human or animal rights.
Actively promote human and animal rights, including (but not limited to) children’s rights to an education, clean water, access to health care and a life free from abuse.
Reduce my carbon footprint where viable, both while travelling and at home.

Responsible Tourism Awards and Achievements

Back in 2008, long before I ever started travel writing, I won the AITO Responsible Tourism Award for my volunteer work supporting children’s health care and education. It was a great honour, especially because I am the only individual (rather than a company) to have been granted this award.

In August 2018, I spent a week with the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) learning about their work. I qualified as a responsible whale watching guide and became a WCA partner in September of that year.