Responsible Travel Policy
Caring for the local environment and people we visit
Read the full Responsible Travel policy
Tucan Travel is an adventure travel specialist with more than 23 years experience operating tours in Latin America (and worldwide). Our mission is to provide our clients with the adventure of a lifetime by offering them a means to experience diverse cultures and explore unfamiliar landscapes in a safe, exciting and responsible way.
Tucan Travel has always been a firm supporter of responsible travel practices and we actively promote this philosophy within the company and to our business partners. We know that adventure travel can bring many benefits to the people we visit, helping to provide a living for communities involved in the tourism industry and promoting cross-cultural awareness and understanding. However, travellers can also have a negative impact on local people and their environment. We try to identify and reduce negative impacts to ensure that adventure travel is a positive and sustainable experience for our clients and local people.
However, a responsible travel policy is only as good as the people who commit to following its guidelines. As a company we are committed to operating according to the guidelines in this document and with your cooperation we can make a difference.
Tucan Travel believes:
• The true rewards of travel come from experiencing a different culture while also giving something back to the communities who make us welcome
• As a tour operator it is essential to study and respect the customs of the people we are visiting and to share this knowledge with our clients in order to promote mutual understanding and respect. We aim to avoid causing offence and to help clients to appreciate the local culture, enriching their experience and helping local people to enjoy their interactions too.
• We should ensure that local economies benefit from our business by using locally owned and managed accommodation, employing local people as expert guides, sourcing our food and equipment locally where possible and eating out in locally run restaurants.
• We must minimise our impact on the environment by reducing and offsetting our carbon emissions, reducing waste by recycling, repairing and reusing what we can, and being careful of delicate ecologies, wildlife and their habitats.
This policy is a statement of our commitment to responsible travel practices. It details what we’re doing now and our strategy to improve in the future. We are constantly refining our policy and any comments or questions are welcome - please email cat@tucantravel.com with your ideas and feedback.
Section 1 – On Tour Practices
A. Caring for the environment
A.1 Method of transport
- Tucan Travel expedition vehicles
- Public transport
- Private coaches
- Airport transfers and other local transport
A.2 Accommodation
- Hotels and hostels
- Camping and campfires
A.3 Group sizes
A.4 Visiting pristine areas and wildlife
A.5 Visiting ancient sites
B. Working with local operators and suppliers
B.1 Building and maintaining relationships / local consultation
B.2 Employing local guides and local representatives
B.3 Local accommodation
B.4 Local food and restaurants
B.5 Local excursions and adventure activities
Section 2 – Office Practices
Use of land and office space
Paper
Electricity and technology
Transport
Water
Staff Education
Section 3 – More tips for Tucan travellers
What you can do before you travel
How you can help reduce your impact on tour
What you can do when you get home
Section 1 - On Tour Practices
A. Caring for the environment
When we’re developing and planning new itineraries our destination managers are careful to ensure that our tours will be exciting for our clients and provide maximum opportunities to engage with the local people and natural environment, in a sustainable way.
A.1 Method of transport
Tucan Travel tries to make sure that the type of transport we use is appropriate to the region that we are travelling in and to the needs of our travellers.
Expedition Vehicles - Latin America, East & Southern Africa
Discovery Tours, Overland Expeditions and Budget Expeditions travel on our privately owned fleet of modern, powerful, comfortable and safe Mercedes Benz Actros expedition vehicles which are custom-built to comply with strict Euro IV emissions control regulations set by the European Union. Tucan Travel regularly checks and maintains these vehicles to the highest possible standard in order to limit carbon emissions and ensure the comfort and safety of our passengers.
Public Transport – Latin America, Middle East & North Africa, Russia & Asia
On Adventure Tours in Latin America, Middle East & North Africa we use varied local transport, such as local buses, trains, ferries, pooled taxi services and tuktuks and human-powered transport such as rick-shaws. By sharing this widely-available transport we are able to reduce our impact on the local environment and reduce emissions while maximising our contact with local people. Where animal transport is available (such as donkey rides, horse riding, camel treks and elephant rides) the excursions are usually not included in the tour, allowing customers to make their own decision about whether this form of transport suits their particular needs or personal ethics. At Tucan Travel we take animal welfare seriously and we will never work with any operators who mistreat their animals.
Airport transfers and local operators
Tucan Travel offers airport transfers for some of our joining cities where it is difficult to get transport. However where taxi services are available, there is no need for Tucan Travel to compete with local suppliers as this would increase the pressure on the local environment in terms of emissions and parking spaces required.
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A.2 Accommodation
Guidelines for selecting and staying in hotels and hostels
We try to look for local hostels and hotels which are safe, comfortable and operated in a sustainable way. In developing countries that we visit the standard of accommodation varies widely, however we make an effort to seek out accommodation which uses energy from renewable sources where facilities exist.
Local resources such as water and electricity are often in short supply and tourism can put pressure on these services and supplies which can in turn reduce the supplies available to local people. In order to mitigate this, Tucan Travel informs clients about local issues such as:
- The availability of hot water
- The scarcity of any water in a particular area and tips about how they can reduce their use and wastage
- The style and limitations of local plumbing, such as the squat vs western-style toilets and what is and isn’t flushable – the sewer systems in many countries are not able to cope with non-human waste. Blockages can cause floods which deprive local people of their vital services and create extra costs
Tucan Travel clients may be asked by tour leaders and crew to:
- Turn off the lights, air conditioning, fans, TV when leaving a room
- Reconsider using a/c if possible. Appliances should be turned off and plugs pulled out of sockets rather than left on standby, which uses electricity
- Consider taking a short shower once daily rather than a bath
- Turn the tap off while brushing teeth or shaving and put a plug in the basin at other times to reduce water use and wastage
- Reconsider whether they need new towels every day and let the hotel know if they would prefer to reuse their towels – this would reduce water used and reduce the amount of detergents in the waste water which ends up in the sewer system / water ways / ocean
- Recycle cans, paper and plastics if facilities exist at the hotel or hostel. Tucan Travel would encourage travellers to hold on to their plastics if possible to recycle elsewhere if such facilities aren’t available at the hotel. We would also encourage travellers to tell the hotel that recycling facilities would be welcome, if they’re not currently offered – demand often precedes supply of such services.
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Guidelines for camping and campfires
Overland Expeditions and Budget Expeditions involve a significant amount of camping. Camping is also involved in a more limited way on Discovery Tours. Tucan Travel aims to ‘take only photos and leave only footprints’ wherever we camp.
Tucan Travel Tour Leaders and Drivers are expected to adhere to the following guidelines when camping:
At popular areas:
- Concentrate on using existing camping sites
- Keep campsites small and focus activity on previously cleared areas. Do not disturb vegetation
- Always camp down-stream of a local community so that you do not pollute their water sources
- Do not urinate near or into streams or dump chemicals into the water – use the toilet and ablution facilities provided. Avoid using soaps with phosphates and don’t wash while you’re swimming if the fresh waterway is likely to be polluted for local people downstream.
- Be considerate of other campers and keep the noise down at night-time
When free-camping:
- Try to avoid damaging the pristine environment. Do not uproot plants or trees – seek clearings and try not to create new trails or tracks, even if existing tracks are muddy.
- Trowels will be provided for clients to bury toilet waste. Clients are asked to stay at least 30m clear of any water source and to bury waste as deep as possible to facilitate decomposition
- Burn and bury toilet paper, or else carry it in a bag until the next disposal point is reached. This may be at the discretion of the Tour Leader and Driver
- Carry all waste out – do not leave any plastics, cans, bottles, bottle tops or cigarette ends behind. Try to recycle where facilities exist
Campfires
Basking in the warm orange glow of a campfire in an exotic location on a chilly night under the stars is many an adventure traveller’s dream. However, the warmth, light and camp ambience provided by a campfire is a luxury that must be weighed up against harmful effects which include smoke pollution and the possibility that such activities take away fuel resources from local people.
- Consider whether this campfire is really necessary
- Is this a safe environment? Is the local area very dry and therefore a fire risk?
- Is the fuel from a renewable resource or not?
- Wood collected should be dead and collected from the ground, not from living vegetation. Remember that charcoal is unlikely to come from a sustainable source.
- Cooking can be done more efficiently and quickly on gas camping stoves provided on the expedition vehicle
- Do not burn anything made of plastic as this can emit toxic fumes – this includes cigarette butts, bags and wrappers.
- Bury the fire after it’s no longer wanted to ensure that it’s out and does not leave an unsightly blemish on the local area. Do not leave any glass bottles or cans behind and pick up any other non-biodegradable objects such as cigarette butts and papers.
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A.3 Group sizes
Group sizes are carefully limited according to the destination we visit, the accommodation available and the transport available.
- On Discovery Tours, Overland Expeditions and Budget Expeditions in Latin America, our group sizes are limited by the size of our privately-owned vehicles, which have a maximum seating capacity of 34 passengers. Average group sizes are 15-24.
- On Budget Expeditions in Europe, our group sizes are limited by the coach capacity of 45 passengers. Average group sizes are 20-30.
- On Adventure Tours we operate smaller groups of a maximum of 18 people, in order to reduce our impact on local services and to avoid taking necessary capacity away from local people at peak travel times.
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A.4 Guidelines for visiting pristine areas and interacting with wildlife
Tourism to national parks and wildlife areas can bring positive economic benefits as entrance fees contribute to the maintenance and conservation of local flora and animal species, while visitors benefit from the educational aspects of the area and take away with them an increased awareness of the need and place for conservation.
Tucan Travel Tour Leaders and Drivers are expected to adhere to the following guidelines when visiting areas with delicate natural ecologies and interacting with wildlife, whether at national parks or reserves. They are also responsible for informing passengers about their responsibilities to protect the areas visited, which include:
- Stick to roads and established paths, keep to speed limits and do not drive the truck off road except in the case of emergency
- Park in allocated spaces, or if forced to find a new space, avoid damaging local flora and fauna – this can take years to regenerate.
- Follow the instructions of local guides regarding appropriate conduct. Maintain the legal distance from animals, as instructed by your local expert guide
- Do not feed the animals – this can make animals sick, overweight, and be stressful for them
- Do not touch the animals – this can transmit diseases to the animals and you may also put yourself at risk of transmission at the same time
- Approach animals quietly, cautiously and slowly so as to avoid distressing them, but avoid approaching nesting or breeding sites as this can cause stress to parents and young alike. If the animal’s behaviour changes as you approach, you’re probably too close. Consider getting a camera with a long-range lens so you can take candid shots of the animal’s natural behaviour.
- Turn off your flash when taking photographs and avoid shining lights directly at animals or in their eyes at night
- Do not support attractions which use animals as entertainment for profit. These animals are often taken from the wild, mistreated and are trained to perform unnatural behaviours which are often harmful to the animal. - If snorkeling, wear appropriate footwear and do not touch coral or put your feet on it.
- Leave the coral where it is – it’s a living organism. Don’t try to collect it to take it home, and don’t buy it elsewhere as this encourages exploitation of the fragile ecology.
- Never anchor on a coral reef – if it’s not possible to use a floating buoy, snorkel elsewhere.
- Don’t approach dolphins in the wild – let them approach you. Don’t try to grab their dorsal fins or any part of their tails – they are not a toy to ride on.
- Don’t be tempted to purchase anything made of ivory, bone or skins. Equally avoid animal parts such as teeth, or whole specimens like butterflies. Avoid wild animal meat on restaurant menus, even if it does sound adventurous. It is usually illegal to import these items into your home country and this practice encourages poaching, which can have devastating impacts on local animal populations.
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A.5 Guidelines for Visiting Ancient Sites
Many of our tours offer opportunities to visit ancient places such as UNESCO world heritage sites where our entrance fees contribute to the maintenance and restoration of these unique places.
Tucan Travel asks that travellers respect signage, take only photographs and leave no litter or graffiti behind, even if others have done so. Do not attempt to bring home any rocks or stones or other souvenirs of the location and don’t purchase such items from vendors as this can encourage the ongoing destruction of local areas of interest.
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B. Working With Local Operators and Suppliers
B.1 Building and maintaining relationships / local consultation
With more than 20 years operating tours in Latin America, Tucan Travel has built longstanding and successful relationships with business partners in the continent. Our continuing success as a business lies in our support of local communities who have made us welcome and this policy extends now to destinations worldwide as Tucan Travel continue to expand and grow. Our commitment to supporting local businesses means that these operators continue to prosper and empowers local people, leading to increased confidence and development of their products and services.
When designing new tours, Tucan Travel often consult and request advice from local operators to ensure our proposals are realistic. Tucan Travel is highly selective of local associates and aims to approach only those who share its positive and long-term developmental outlook. Tucan Travel is committed to being honest about the impacts our products may have on local lifestyles and communities. We ensure they are happy to have our products in their areas and do not impose developments if they are unwanted. Tucan Travel feel it is imperative that respect between tourists and hosts be maintained at all times and that our guides, clients, products and activities build the pride and confidence of local communities.
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B.2 Local guides and local representatives
Tucan Travel has always used local operators, representatives and specialist guides.
Nearly 100% of the specialist guides* employed by Tucan Travel are locally sourced. This ensures knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff, thorough guiding and support of local individuals and businesses. Our close relationships with local companies allow us to put more money back into the local economies. It also allows clients to gain greater insight into the local customs and traditions through their contact with our local operators.
On certain tours the specialist knowledge of guides is invaluable, such as in the Amazon Jungle and on treks to Machu Picchu in Latin America. We also work with guides in national parks in India and various countries in Africa, and Egyptologists in Egypt, so clients can learn more about the Pyramids and Sphinx, for example. Tucan Travel will endeavour to ensure that local partners are employed under fair conditions, are paid a living wage for reasonable hours and are given adequate support by our operations team and tour staff. Tucan Travel has a specific policy in place to protect the rights and conditions of porters on the Inca Trail. Feel free to read through the Inca Trail Porter Protection Policy.
*Specialist guides for local attractions, treks and other special excursions. Please note that Local Guides are not the same as Tour Leaders.
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B.3 Local accommodation
Tucan Travel offers travellers many opportunities to stay in homestay accommodation. This is a win-win situation for travellers and local people alike, as travellers experience life in a local community while local people benefit economically and also socially from the cultural exchange.
As an example, on Amantani Island Tucan travellers stay with local people in their homes. Passengers bring along gifts of rice and home staple goods like fabrics which supplement the income of their hosts. In Mongolia Tucan Travellers have the opportunity to stay in a traditional ger with local nomads and sleep under the starry desert skies. Travellers may exchange stories, songs and sometimes even recipes with their hosts, who will cook a traditional meal for the guests.
At Tucan Travel we feel that travelling to foreign countries provides a chance to experience new cultures and interact with new people. It is not an opportunity for us to impose our culture upon others. We encourage clients to be sensitive to the host culture through preserving and encouraging cultural and social diversity. We discourage the display of traditional or cultural ‘shows’ for commercial purposes. As enjoyable as they are for clients, we are attempting to keep local culture and tradition genuine rather than encouraging it to be used as a commercial attraction. Our programs on Lake Titicaca and Amantani Island present a prime example of efforts to lessen the commercialisation of popular tourism sites. We aim to retain tradition and culture and as such, possess a strong stance against commercial development of the area. Tucan Travel utilise the boating facilities local to the area. Although this means our trips to and from the islands take longer than were we to use commercial vessels, it supports the local businesses and encourages the further development of construction skills.
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B.4 Local food and restaurants
When on tour we encourage clients to eat at locally-owned restaurants rather than global multinational companies which they’re familiar with at home. As well as providing clients with a more authentic experience of local cuisine and culture, this helps to foster local businesses and maintain their traditions in terms of cuisine and cooking methods which are in danger of being lost in some countries.
On Discovery Tours, Adventure Tours, Overland Expeditions and Budget Expeditions where food is provided, Tucan Travel aims to purchase high-quality fresh food from local markets where possible. Our commitment to supporting local businesses means that these operators continue to prosper and develop their products and services.
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B.5 Local excursions and adventure activities
Optional excursions are often an exciting part of a journey with Tucan Travel. We look for activities which will suit our clients’ varied tastes and budgets, while supporting local operators and putting money back into local economies.
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Section 2 – Our Offices
Tucan Travel recognises that it is not only on-location staff who have environmental responsibilities but also our administration staff in our offices around the world. Our offices endeavor to be environmentally sound through practicing energy conservation, implementing recycling plans, and being responsible for the surrounding physical environment. Tucan Travel believes in leading through example and operates in this manner to encourage other businesses and individuals we’re in contact with to be considerate of the environment.
In our offices we separate paper, cardboard, plastics and metal cans for recycling. We estimate that this practice reduces our contribution to landfill by approximately 55%. We also pledge to offset all carbon emissions from business travel, both international and domestic. We are looking into ways of measuring our Office emissions and offsetting these also.
Land and office space
- Tucan Travel only leases the office space necessary for company needs and maximises the use of the space available.
- We try to keep our offices clean, tidy and comfortable to facilitate a good working environment for all staff
- Tucan Travel does not lease extra unnecessary space for high street shops or corporate offices
Paper
- Tucan Travel is committed to recycling 100% of our used paper and cardboard
- Currently, Tucan Travel stores most data electronically rather than on paper printouts.
- Clients and agents can book online – booking forms are generally not required.
- All trip notes and other pre-departure information is emailed to clients, which reduces paper usage.
- Online brochures are available to view and download, reducing the number of paper brochures required to print.
- Print brochures and promotional materials are made using paper from renewable sources and all used or surplus materials are recycled.
- The blank sides of waste printer paper are re-used as note pads and we avoid buying new note pads as much as possible
- We do not print documents or emails unnecessarily. Where photocopying is necessary we print on both sides of the page.
- We purchase stationery made of recycled materials wherever possible
- We purchase toilet paper and paper towels made of recycled materials or materials from renewable/sustainable sources wherever possible
Electricity and technology
- We try to source computers, desk phones, photocopiers, printers and fax machines (plus fridges, kettles and other kitchen equipment) which have been proven to use electricity efficiently and have energy saving functions
- When equipment is due to be replaced, old computers are sold-on to be reused or are recycled – they are not sent direct to landfill
- We turn off all appliances overnight (except necessary servers) and unplug appliances from the walls. We do not leave phone chargers plugged in.
- We use energy efficient strip lighting wherever possible and encourage staff to turn lights off when natural light is sufficient in a room
- We recycle printer cartridges and purchase recycled cartridges where possible
- We buy rechargeable batteries rather than disposable ones
- We minimise the use of disposable CDs and recycle old mobile phones, CDs, old and foreign coins and currency
- Maintain the air conditioning / heating at optimal temperatures for the comfort of staff and energy efficiency. The use of a/c and heating is on staff agreement only and is turned this off at night and during weekends.
Transport
- Most of our staff are pretty active and live relatively close to the office. Staff are encouraged to walk, cycle or take public transport to work, or work from home where appropriate.
- Leased cars are well maintained in order to reduce emissions and are only for very necessary business. We try to carpool wherever possible or use public transport.
- Tucan Travel offsets the carbon emissions of all staff business flights.
Water
- Hot water – we only boil the amount of water needed for a cup of tea, or boil a whole jug and make tea for everyone
- Staff are asked not to wash dishes under running taps, plug the sink instead
- Water savers are installed in our toilets
- We try to purchase environmentally-friendly biodegradable cleaning products where possible in order to reduce pollution
- We are careful not to flush non-human waste (apart from paper) down the toilets
Staff Education
- The Tucan Travel Responsible Travel policy is included in induction materials for new staff, and is discussed with potential staff at the interview stage
- All staff are made aware of the reason for recycling and are asked to recycle all waste paper, cardboard, cans and plastics – which are cleaned before recycling
- Staff are asked to calculate the emissions of any air travel and to report this to management / accounting so that emissions can be offset
- Staff are reminded by management about the need to turn off computers, other appliances, air conditioning/heating and lights at night
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Section 3 – How You Can Help
With this Responsible Travel policy we are doing our best to foster the positive effects of adventure travel, while minimising our harmful impacts on local communities and their environment. With your help we can really make this happen.
What you can do before you travel
- Offset the carbon emissions of your international flights.
Learn about how you can offset your carbon emissions with World Land Trust
- Learn a bit of the local language and don’t be afraid to use it. Being able to say even a few words like hello, please and thank you will help you to connect with people in a positive way and really enhance your personal experience. Bring a phrase book on tour and keep practising to improve your confidence. You will also find some good language tips in the country dossier(s).
- You may also find it helpful to learn something about the culture, religion, traditions and local values of the destination you’re visiting. This will not only help to enhance your experience of the destination and help you to appreciate the way different people live, but also make your interaction with people more fun, friendly, natural and meaningful.
- Learn about appropriate body language. Certain hand gestures like doing the thumbs up (positive in Western culture) may have a very different meaning in Turkey, for example.
- Bring appropriate clothing with you (or purchase it at your destination, to save weight in your luggage and support local enterprises). Be aware that both men and women may be required to dress modestly in in places of spiritual significance, like temples, churches or mosques. You’ll need long-sleeved shirts, trousers, a skirt that reaches well below the knee and shoes which cover your toes to cover up properly. You may miss out on visiting these special places without appropriate clothing, so it pays to be prepared.
- Try to pack light. Reducing the weight of your luggage will reduce the amount of work the taxi, airplane, train, coach or expedition vehicle will have to do to transport your gear and therefore reduce carbon emissions – and you’ll make your own life easier!
- In many countries you will encounter a level of poverty which you won’t find at home. Although we would generally discourage offering gifts to beggars, we would suggest that if you feel the need to help, bring a stack of pens and pencils and hand these out to children rather than offering sweets or money. Your alternative gifts will still be popular and the parents will thank you for saving their children’s teeth – access to dental services may not be readily available. We’d also encourage you to think of alternative ways to help, such as supporting a local community organisation, which may be more constructive.
- Cut out plastic – remove and recycle the packaging of new travel gear before you pack, and bring a light cotton or string bag for your shopping so you can politely refuse plastic bags at shops and markets.
- Try to bring recyclable batteries as disposable batteries leach toxic chemicals as they degrade in landfill, and recycling facilities are scarce in some countries.
- Bring your own metal water bottle. Fill up at restaurants or treat your own water on tour instead of buying lots of plastic bottles. Bear in mind that there may not be recycling facilities available at some destinations.
- Take public transport to the airport and reduce the emissions caused by private cars etc.
- Include a percentage amount for tipping when you are working out your budget. Tips are the main means of financial survival for workers in many countries.
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How you can reduce your impact while on tour - and have fun!
- When you’re out shopping for a bargain, haggling is an important part of making a purchase in many countries and you can have a lot of fun doing this. But just remember that a small amount to you may make quite a difference to the vendor, so it pays to be reasonable.
- Be wary of shops, zoos, restaurants or activities which promote the harm or exploitation of endangered species. Avoid buying items made of tropical hardwoods or items made of coral, turtle shells, skins, bone or ivory. These items promote the exploitation of endangered species and poaching, which decimates animal populations every year.
- Tucan Travel discourages clients from engaging in any activities related to prostitution, sex shows or any activities which exploit children in any way.
- Help to keep traditional crafts alive by shopping for souvenirs direct from local artisans. Try to avoid mass-produced items which may not have been made in the local area and avoid chain stores.
- Support locally-owned and restaurants, hotels and other businesses. Try local cuisine, brands and brews.
- Use public transport like local buses, walk, or hire bicycles where you can. Explore the area the way locals do and you’ll meet more people and get more ‘in touch’ with the community.
- Tipping is expected in many countries. In Russia & Asia, the Middle East & North Africa we operate a Tipping Kitty so that you and the group can avoid the hassles. Please remember though that tipping is considered as wages in many countries and people do rely on this money to survive.
- We would discourage you from agreeing to pay for photographs or taking videos as this encourages begging behaviour. However, if you agree to send a photograph to someone instead, please do remember to send that photograph as soon as you can.
- Although we’re travelling on a schedule on our Adventure Tours, please remember that schedules mean different things to different cultures and their concept of time may differ from yours. Try to ‘go with the flow’ and relax – you’re on holiday after all!
- Certain hand gestures may be considered impolite to people you are visiting, so please remember that as you travel. It may also be considered very rude to wear a hat indoors, or for men to walk around the streets bare-chested, even in the heat of summer. Please be aware that public displays of affection such as kissing and holding hands may be inappropriate in certain destinations, no matter what genders the couple is made up of.
- It can be difficult to know how to deal with strangers – when to be friendly and open, when to accept a spontaneous invitation or when to be suspicious of someone’s motives. Generally speaking we would encourage you to keep an open mind and expect that the people you meet are genuine and acting honestly, however if you are unsure, don’t hesitate to ask your Tour Leader for guidance.
- Please do not dispose of litter in the street or throw it out of the windows while we’re travelling. Although the environment may not be as clean as you’d expect it to be at home, there is no reason to make it any worse. Please put your litter in public bins or take it away with you for safe disposal on our expedition vehicle. Cigarette butts can be conveniently carried away in an empty film container.
- In countries where recycling facilities are unavailable, we may be able to carry plastics with us and recycle elsewhere (if using a Tucan Travel vehicle). Otherwise we may be able to donate useful items like plastic bottles to local communities to be reused for water carrying, such as in African communities where plastic is necessary and scarce.
- During optional activities, take your cues from the expert local guides. Follow their instructions when interacting with wild animals, swimming near coral reefs, walking in popular and pristine areas and visiting ancient sites. Be aware that you may need to take extra care in these areas to respect the natural environment.
What you can do when you get home
- If you haven't gotten around to it before you travelled, why not offset the carbon emissions of your international flights now?
Learn about how you can offset your carbon emissions with World Land Trust
- Please remember to send the photos you’ve promised to the people you photographed – make it a two-way exchange! (While you’re at it, why not send us a story about your travels with Tucan Travel, with some images from your trip?)
- Think about how you can continue to support organisations you encountered on tour, such as environmental reserves and national parks, social causes and charities to help promote the welfare, culture and environment of those you were lucky enough to visit. Let Tucan Travel know if you’ve seen any particular organisations that you think we could help in some way – we’re always willing to consider new ideas.
Please always try and be respectful and considerate of the culture and environment you are travelling in.
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