Operating responsibly has been the ethos of Kerala
Connections from the very beginning and we have always
considered the environmental and cultural impact of tourism.
We strive to ensure that our customers enjoy their Kerala
Connections holiday and at the same time protect the
environment, respect local traditions, understand historic
and cultural issues and benefit the local communities.
The State of Kerala is also fully committed to Responsible
Tourism. It hosted the Second International Conference on
Responsible Tourism in March 2008 and this resulted in the
adoption of the Kerala Declaration
(http://www.icrtindia.org/kd.htm) which aims to achieve
Responsible Tourism in all destinations. Kerala Connections
attended this conference and participated in the drafting of
the declaration.
All of the properties we work with are to some extent
working in an environmentally responsible way and we ask
them to provide us with details. Almost all say that they
try to minimise the use of plastic, try to reduce wastage
and recycle. A large number heat water by solar power and
have environmentally friendly sewage treatment methods. Many
hotels do not use chemicals in their swimming pools and they
all do what they can to conserve water.
If you are considering a holiday to India with us but would
like to be assured that the positive contributions you are
making will out-weigh any negative impacts, the following
may help you.
- Our holidays are all tailor-made, which means that the
numbers we deal with are relatively small but the spending
(compared with package or group tours) is relatively high
thus benefiting the local community.
- Almost all the hotels we work with are fully or
partially Indian owned and all are staffed by locals.
- Many hotels have strong environmental policies and
some have won ‘Green’ awards (eg the CGH Earth Group of
hotels, Malabar House, The Dune, Our Native Village etc).
- We work with a number of privately owned boutique
hotels who have restored a neglected heritage building to
create an authentic experience as well as preserving
India’s architectural heritage (eg the hotels of the
Neemrana Group, Raheem Residency, Ayisha Manzil).
- Most of our tours include visits to wildlife areas
(National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries) and World
Heritage and Cultural Sites. Tourist spending in these
areas helps to protect and maintain the diversity and
cultural heritage of India.
- We support a number of charities in India and provide
our customers with the contact details if they also want
to contribute.
AITO - Sustainable Tourism
 All
members acknowledge the importance of AITO's Sustainable
Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and
environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those
demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance
of this principle are recognised by the award of star
status. AITO's Sustainable Tourism policies embrace the
following five key elements:
- Protection of the environment
- Respect for local cultures
- Benefits for local communities
- Conservation of natural resources
- Minimisation of pollution
Kerala Connections has been awarded four stars. 4 stars/5
stars indicate that a company is participating in a carbon
reduction activity, and will be demonstrating an active
commitment to ST practice in the destinations that it
serves.
Kerala Connections is a member of
Responsible Travel.
To be accepted as a member companies must fulfil certain
criteria with
regard to operating responsibly
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