Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Issue 2 | Page 50
Travel to Care
International tourism is forecast to triple in volume
over the next twenty years. It is vital to minimise
the negative impacts of tourism on the environment
and cultural heritage, at the same time maximising
the benefits for the local people living in tourism
destinations. Global travellers increasingly want
an authentic destination experience. They are
interested to stay with local residents, to try the local
cuisine and immerse themselves in the local culture.
Most of all, they are keen to know that the money
they are spending is going to local entrepreneurs,
communities and individuals.
Entrepreneurs are now starting to recognise that
they can create and offer travel experiences that
are attractive to the responsible traveller. Travel
operators can go a long way in creating authentic
experiences, often at a much lower cost. They can
establish sustainable practices that lead to more
profit in the longer term.
Travel to care came about as a result of recognising
that the growing trend in responsible travel means
that information is needed on those travel operators
or local hotels that practice responsible and
sustainable tourism. By presenting this information
online, this can encourage responsible travellers
around the world to include locally run homestays,
hotels and tour operators in their itineraries.
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May 2014
be inspired. be responsible.
Brain-child of Karen Stigsen, she is Managing Director
of Grace Tours, a leading specialist tour operator
from Denmark focussing particularly on India, Nepal
and Bangladesh. She has set the benchmark for
authentic destination travel in South East Asia and
works closely with smaller local accommodation
providers rather than the big multi-national chains.
She seeks local partners for transport and ground
arrangements and all her itineraries permit her
guests to experience social, community or ecological
development projects.
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