2. about socialtours
Five time Responsible Tourism Awards nominated
Travellers from at least 30 countries, aged from 5
years to 85 years
Over 150 direct stakeholders
Offering trips in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India
One of the few travel companies to start with CSR
principles
Yearly, we manage over USD 30,000 travel
Raj Gyawali
philanthropy / raised through events
Founder Director
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
3. about socialtours
Mentions in Lonely Planet, National Geographic
Adventure, UNWTO Publication on Sustainable Travel
Companies in Asia, and several media
IMPORTANTLY, pioneered the development of the
Responsible Tourism Reporting with Jenefer Bobbin &
Harold Goodwin in 2008/2009
First Report out in 2009. Second one in draft stage
now. Coming out soon
Companies in the UK, India and Nepal following this
system of reporting at present.
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
4. the attempt today
What is this?
What’s involved?
Why do it?
Where do I start?
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
5. what is RT reporting?
A DOCUMENT
Written by the Organization
Claims measured using parameters custom built for
organization
Can be externally audited
Fits all sizes (and types) oforganisations
Meant for the industry and your clients, but most
importantly for you!
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
6. what’s involved?
MAKING THE CLAIM(s) / RT Policy
Developing parameters to measure them
Collecting data (numerical as well as stories)
Analyzing the data
Developing and writing the Document
Putting it out there for all to see!
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
7. why do it?
Benchmarking Responsible actions
Controlling Actions
Bring skeletons out from the closet
Give Directions for the future
Makes the company more dynamic
Side-effects: Marketing
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
8. where do I start?
Make an RT CLAIM!
Of course,
KEEP it REAL!
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
9. types of claims
EASY CLAIM – Gender Balance
Count number of women and men in the organisation.
Report it over the years.
MODERATE CLAIM – Fuel Replacement
Start a compost / biogas plant in your hotel – Report
using a picture, and report on fossil fuel replaced
using the bio-gas
DIFFICULT CLAIM – Control on cultural
Commodification, energy conservation
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
10. some examples?
Whats your CLAIM?
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Solars to heat water
Parameters to evaluate:
Electricity Bills
Audit report of energy saved
Photographs / Videos
Media or third party reports / article?
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
11. some examples?
Whats your CLAIM?
Use reusable PET bottles?
Use Glass Jars / Bottles?
Communicate Powerfully about the plastic menace ?
Measure the ‘before and after’ difference?
Create new stakeholders? (livelihood options?)
Create ‘friendly’ competition in ‘destinations’?
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
12. some examples?
Whats your CLAIM?
EMPOWERMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES:
-Provide platform for promotions / sales of local
handicrafts
- Measure /quantify sales / support?
Responsible Tourism Reporting
Responsible Tourism Clinic | ITB Asia, Singapore
