Sideways News

Winter is magical in Finnish Lapland, with huskies, the Northern Lights and cosy cabins

Choosing responsible holidays is important at any time of year and if Christmas is the season of goodwill, you can make a positive impact in your choice of holiday as tourism can bring in much-needed income. From husky safaris to sunny breaks, be inspired by these destinations and initiatives that can make a genuine difference.

Mozambique social safar-ing
With miles of white-sand beach and Indian Ocean waters, Mozambique’s luxury holidays on the Bazaruto islands are already well-known. Lesser-known though is the lodge and mobile camp at Gorongosa National Park, enjoying a rebirth over recent years, with increased wildlife the result of effective anti-poaching initiatives. Funding, including from the American-based Carr Foundation, has paved the way for social initiatives which include distributing shoes to needy students, mobile clinic services to remote communities and literacy classes for illiterate workers. Fancy staying? Find out more.

Husky safaris
Winter is magical in Finnish Lapland, with huskies, the Northern Lights and cosy cabins. This region, where income was previously derived from forestry and subsequent high unemployment, now counts tourism as its main revenue stream. It is a particularly popular destination, according to Responsible Travel, and a sustainable tourism plan ensures mutual benefits. Working with local providers and locally owned hotels, responsible holidays aim to diversify livelihoods and encourage entrepreneurship. Fancy staying? Find out more.

Sunny Honduras
Its politics may be unsettled, but tourists are warmly welcomed along Honduras’ Caribbean coast and Bay Islands. This coastline is also home to black Garifuna communities, renowned for their dancing and singing displays. However, these traditional communities are at risk of turning into "attractions" while their crop and coastal land is developed for high-end resort hotels. Support small-scale eco-tourism initiatives like the Paradise Hotel, run by a women’s project in the Garifuna village, San Juan -  near the coastal town, Tela - with its characterful holiday cabins with verandahs and hammocks. Fancy staying? Find out more.

Local benefits in Ecuador
Holidays which benefit local communities by providing employment or social initiatives are key to responsible tourism. At the Kapawi eco-lodge in Ecuador, low-impact activities include hiking, river-canoeing, bird-watching and the chance to be guided by the Achuar people, who, 30 years ago, were unknown to the world. 45% of the Achuar’s income is derived from tourism and Kapawi is committed to respecting local traditions. Fancy staying? Find out more.

Responsible Travel, one of the UK’s foremost ethical travel websites, says their top destinations this year are 50% European, with UK, Tanzania, Italy, Egypt, Thailand, Greece, India, Turkey, France and Kenya making the top ten. Staying closer to home benefits the environment while going further afield to poorer nations like Tanzania, Kenya and India offers financial benefits to locals so it can be win-win either way.

What else you can do?
Tricia Barnett, director of Tourism Concern, says all countries can benefit from responsible tourism. "Where local people are underpaid and exploited, the best way to be responsible is by spending your money locally. Buy products locally, eat locally and stay in locally run establishments. Don’t bargain too much, certainly not to the last penny - we believe in fair tourism." Discover how you can avoid guilt trips.

What not to do
There are, of course, exceptions to the above and Tourism Concern is crystal clear about Burma. The money earned from tourism is believed to prop up the country’s brutal military regime and increasing tourism revenues (over $100m a year) have helped the Junta to remain in power, instead of benefitting local people.

If holidays can be relaxing and responsible, adventurous yet ethical, taking the time to book one which meets this criteria is worth the extra time. Travellers can leave more than a carbon footprint in their wake – they can make a real difference.

SIDEWAYS News for fresh perspectives