Basecamp Explorer - Responsible Travel Policy

Basecamp Explorer exists to provide new and exciting destinations for our visitors where the smallest of footprints remain behind.  We contribute to a clean environment through eco-based technology, to wildlife conservation through our projects and to support of the local people and their culture.

Our philosophy is incorporated into all aspects of our meeting places. We offer the responsible traveller soft adventure holidays to protected destinations to appreciate flora, fauna and the local culture, whilst minimising the effects and impact of traditional tourism on the natural environment.

We achieve this by evaluating local environmental and cultural factors balanced with promoting initiatives such as recycling, energy efficient water use and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities with their input. It is only with the support of the local people that we can truly promote responsible tourism.

Basecamp Masai Mara, the first establishment of six “Basecamps” within the Basecamp Explorer Group, has been awarded the Responsible Tourism Awards, Category Protected Areas.

The Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious international awards within its field. The award is initiated and managed by responsibletravel.com, World Travel Market (WTM) (the world’s largest tourism fair), the Times and Geographical Magazine in the UK.

Around 700 applicants were nominated and evaluated by a professional jury. The winners are selected for 12 different categories. In relation to conservation and community based tourism - tourism in protected areas is regarded as one of the imperative award categories. Basecamp Masai Mara emerged as the winner of this particular category for its pilot project, “Sustainable Development through Community Based Tourism”.

Our vision is to make a difference in tourism by creating meeting places where visitors can meet inspiring cultures, located in some of the most magnificent areas of the planet.

We ask and expect all of our guests to recognise and appreciate the value of responsible tourism and adhere to our principles and rules while enjoying their time with us as detailed below.

The Basecamp Explorer network will

• Develop a model project for a tourist venture where concerns for conservation issues and local cultures are fully integrated.
• Co-operate closely with organisations, institutions, business partners and individuals with similar ideals and goals, thereby improving our ability to succeed.
• Strive to make a lasting and deeply felt impression on the visitor, and by that encourage deeper respect for nature and culture.
• Seek a fair distribution of outcome/benefits to employees, owners and the local community.

Main strategies

• All business activities shall be based on an environmental management policy.
• The Modus Operandi of Basecamp shall be developed and undertaken in cooperation with the local community as well as in accordance with defined overall principles
• Offering jobs and business opportunities within the local community shall be of high priority.
• Basecamp shall be managed in a way that results in minimal impact on it’s natural environment and shall stimulate local culture and pride.
• Basecamp shall have an intimate and open atmosphere, to provide an arena for learning, sharing and participation.
• We shall communicate in a way that our visitors will experience as inviting and intriguing whilst gaining knowledge through the local culture.

Aims

·         Basecamp seeks to minimise the adverse impact on local communities and environments and focus on making a positive impact.

·         The company is committed throughout to social and environmental policies which promote best practice at all levels of the organisation.

·         Through our focus on being the best company in the field of Responsible Tourism we offer authentic travel experiences with opportunities for interaction with local communities.

Basecamp Client’s Code of Conduct

We ask and expect all of our guests to recognise and appreciate the value of responsible tourism and adhere to our principles and rules while enjoying their time with us.

• We issue our clients with a set of guidelines on how to be a ‘responsible tourist’ so that they are well-prepared and focussed on the importance of supporting local communities and protecting the environment. This is tailored to their choice of destination.
• We encourage our clients to purchase goods and services from the local communities, explaining how this benefits the local economy and supports good relationships with the local people whilst enhancing their holiday experience.
• Clients are advised on methods of minimising their water consumption so that precious resources are not wasted.
• We ask our clients to respect the different customs and traditions of local people and to engage in their cultural practices where possible. This will give them an insight into the lives of these communities.
• We invite our clients to communicate with the local people and we organise events which provide opportunities for this.
• We ask our clients not to drop any litter and to leave places as they find them.
• Our clients are given information about the social and political situation in each country where our Basecamps operate.

Economic

• We only employ staff from the local communities at each of our Basecamps which directly benefits the local economy and creates a good relationship between our clients and local people.
• For example, the local women gain a direct income from our clients through the Masai Arts and Crafts project.
• Basecamp only contract with local suppliers, providing support to the local economy.

Environmental

·         We recycle all our paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, printer cartridges and cans in our UK office and we contract to a local co-operative for collection of recycled materials.

·         We print all our correspondence on recycled paper and try to minimise use of paper by sending communications via email or using the telephone

·         Brochure printing is kept to a minimum

·         We use low energy light bulbs in our office to conserve electricity

·         We use a local mailing house for our marketing to minimise the environmental impact of transporting our mailing literature

·         We provide our clients with a Traveller’s Code of Conduct which advises how they can minimise damage to the environment, reduce water usage and support the local people.

·         We will continue to work together with local communities to promote responsible tourism and safeguard the natural environment at our Basecamps.

·         A central feature of all of our holidays is to draw attention to our clients of the local projects which directly protect the local environment. Examples of this are: The Masai Mara Cheetah Conservation Project and tree-planting projects.

·         Basecamps are operated on ecological principles which entails solar produced electricity, solar heated water and waste management.

·         All our staff and guides offer encouragement and advice to our clients about respecting local people’s cultures and customs.

·         We seek to offer the best Eco-tourism destinations and this was reflected in 2005 when Basecamp Masai Mara won the Eco-tourism award of Kenya.

Social

• Basecamp Client’s Code of Conduct, given to each of our clients, outlines all essential information about the social and political climate in each destination and encourages clients to make a positive impact on local cultures.
• Our guides are always sourced from the local community, ensuring that we operate our holidays in harmony with the local people.

• Basecamp offers support for education of the Masai Youth and all local staff are educated and trained to a high standard
• Activities which reflect the local culture are included in the programmes for guests.
• An example of this is in the Masai where clients visit the local village and are greeted with a customary dance by the villagers

Operation

• Our Responsible Tourism policy is distributed to all staff and is available to our clients via our web site www.basecampexplorer.co.uk
• Our UK office has a system for responding to complaints relating to the implementation of our Responsible Tourism policy.