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R E S P O N S I B L E T
R A V E L |
"Take Only Photographs, Leave
Only Footsteps"
INTRODUCTION
Everyone is looking for "that last unspoilt destination". Mongolia
does reward those on such a quest but how long can it remain that way? When two
cultures come together, both are inevitably affected. We benefit a great deal
from contact with such hospitable people living a life that seems inspiringly
simple. But how do they see us? It is essential that any interaction is based
on respect and understanding of cultural differences. As the numbers of tourists
visiting Mongolia increase, we must strive to maintain a delicate balance, neither
making nomads dissatisfied with their ways nor denying them change. This is an
issue of great importance to Panoramic Journeys.
"In
the end, we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand.
We will understand only what we are taught." Baba Dioum, Senegalese Poet
Balance and education are also the key words where the environment is concerned.
Thankfully tourism in Mongolia has grown at the same time and pace as enthusiasm
for Eco-tourism. There are various very encouraging projects underway throughout
Mongolia to maintain and sustain the precious ecosystems that are there. Our trips
enable you to visit and get involved with many of these ventures e.g. National
Parks, Species Research, Eco-Ger Camps ('Ger' is the Mongolian word for the nomads'
felted tent. 'Yurt' is the Russian word). Our encouragement and interest in local
initiatives will allow the Mongolians involved to continue their good work. Our
very presence will bring financial support to the rural areas involved thus contributing
to a slow down in rural-urban migration.
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THE SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS FUND
Whilst having
supported other people's projects in Mongolia in small ways in the past, we are
now working more actively to build a fund of regular support for projects of a
sustainable, ethical, environmental and social nature. Our main local projects
we are connected to are:
Gobi
Oasis - Tree Planting in Mandalgobi, South Mongolia
Kindergarten
Project - Bayan-Olgii, Western Mongolia
Vegetable Garden - Monastery
Camp, Central Mongolia
Quilting Centre - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Recently
we have become Proud Sponsors of the Camel
Festival.
One percent of the price of your journey will go towards
'The Sustainable Projects Fund'. For further information on any of our sustainable
projects, please contact us.
We
encourage our clients to make a donation to a carbon emission offsetting company
e.g. Climate Care in
Oxford, to make a contribution towards repairing the damage of carbon emissions
caused by their air travel.
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LEADING BY EXAMPLE
We have put into place
a number of company policies to set a standard for our practices, down to the
smallest detail. We educate our employees so that they can contribute to making
our trips more eco-friendly. For instance, we are encouraging our drivers to keep
to existing jeep tracks rather than pioneer new trails. We carry eco-friendly
products for all cleaning that we may do en route. We aim to lead by example in
areas of safe waste management, water conservation, use of local produce and respect
for nature.
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CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS
For generations, it
has been customary for travellers to stop at gers along the way and exchange news
and accept a little tea and food. An intrinsic part of our journeys is to visit
nomadic families in their homes. Over the last few years we have built up a large
network of friends. Of course being nomadic they are not always the easiest people
to send post to! The joy of finding a family we have previously visited and taking
them photographs from our last get-together brings sheer delight to all.
Harsh
winters have left many herdsmen with fewer animals than they need. By setting
up guest gers for tourists, families are able to avoid selling their remaining
animals and moving to the urban centres. On many of our itineraries we stay in
guest gers for the benefit of both the local people and our clients. In addition
to giving the family items they cannot acquire easily, we pay them the going rate
for their accommodation.
One of the obvious ways in which visitors to Mongolia's
countryside can have a negative impact, is when they begin to take advantage of
the people's inherent hospitality. As visits to families in gers one of the central
features of our trips, we take this aspect very seriously. While there may be
a temptation to visit the same families repeatedly as relationships become established,
there is a danger here. Such repeated visits tend to be seen as favouritism by
other families. This may breed jealousy and imbalance. For this reason, each of
our trips is very different from the next. There will always be a sense of surprise
and discovery.
Our team's inside knowledge and small group sizes allows
us to act spontaneously and become involved in unexpected encounters such as weddings
and hair cutting ceremonies. We adapt details of our itineraries so that you can
experience Mongolia to the full.
For more details, download our RESPONSIBLE
TRAVEL POLICY
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