False WorldExpeditionshasbeenpioneeringsustainableandresponsible traveltosomeoftheworld’smostdiversedestinationssinceitbegan operatingasAustralianHimalayanExpeditionsin1975. Overtheyears, WorldExpeditionshasbuiltaninternationalreputation asaproviderofhighquality, smallgroupadventuresfocusingon uniqueexperiencestoremoteandpristinewildernessregionsandto destinationsthatinvolverealculturalimmersionwiththelocalpeople. Manyofthecountriesandthepeoplewevisitareunfathomablypoor, yetarecustodiansofspirituallyrichandcolourfulcultures. Thisdifferent formofwealthhasqualitiesthatcanbeexperiencedbyanyone, providedtheexperienceisundertakeninawaythatissensitivetothe beliefsoftheculture, theneedsofitspeopleandthesurrounding environment. Thenaturallandscapesweexplorearesomeoftherichest, oftenmost challenging, yetatthesametimesomeofthemostfragile environmentsonearth. Witheducation, experiencedleadershipand appropriateequipmentandtechniques, itispossibletotravel responsiblythroughtheseregions. Forus, itiscriticallyimportantthat suchwildernesstravelexperiencesdonotdiminishthenaturalvalues oftheenvironment. sustainable& responsibletravelwithworldexpeditions contents  Ourenvironmentallysustainableprinciples3  Ourresponsibletravelprinciples3  Responsibletravelatwork_ Australia4  Responsibletravelatwork_ Nepal& India5  Responsibletravelatwork_ Africa6  Responsibletravelatwork_ Peru& Bolivia8  WorldExpeditions& porterprotection10  Firemanagement12  Wildlife13  Beforeyoutravel14  Considerationswhileyoutravel15  Globalwarming20  Carbonneutraladventureholidays24  Givingsomethingback28  Makingatangibledifference30

False Itshouldbeacknowledgedthatcreatingsustainabletourism takestime. Thereisoftenaneedtore- educateinorderto changethewaytheseculturesmanagetourismandthis involvesatransitionalperiodwhereevidenceofchange maynotbeimmeidatelyvisible. Workingbehindthescenes withourstaffandlocalcommunitieshelpsustofostera mutualvisionandunderstandingthatbecomesareality overaperiodoftime. Thisguidebookoutlinessomeofthepoliciesthatour companyadherestowhenoperatingtripsaswellassome recommendationsforpracticesfortravellersparticipating onouradventures. ourenvironmentalsustainable principles  Truesustainabilityinallaspectsofour businessplanningandoperations. SpecificallyWorldExpeditionstour operationsshouldbemanagedina waywherethenaturalandculturalvalues ofthehostregionareundiminishedinthelong- term.  Wherepossible, WorldExpeditionsengagesin partnershipswithlocalenvironmentalgroupsand/ or landmanagerstoactivelycampaignforconservationor promoteenvironmentalprotectionand/ orrehabilitation. ourresponsibletravelprinciples  WorldExpeditions’aimstomaximisethepositive benefitsoftourismforhostcommunities. Thisincludes trainingandemploymentoflocalstaff, usinglocal suppliersandassistinginthedevelopmentof sustainablelocalbusinesses.  Weactivelyminimisethenegativeeffectsthattourism canhavebyensuringthattourismdoesnotdivert resourcesawayfromlocalcommunitiesordriveup pricesonlocalresources.  WorldExpeditionsprovideopportunitiesforcultural exchange, wherelocalsandvisitorsalikecanshare andlearnfromeachotherinanenvironmentofmutual respect.  Wecontributetothewelfareofthehostcommunity. ThisisepitomisedinourCommunityProjectTravel programwhereweorganiseforourtravellerstospend timeindisadvantagedvillagesupgradingbasicfacilities suchashealth, educationandwateraccess.  WorldExpeditionsstrivestoeducateourtravellers aboutthedestinationanditslocalculturesaswellas providingguidelinesonappropriatebehaviourto minimiseimpact. 3