Guatemala and Belize vacation

Planet

As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment, and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.

As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travelers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.

Our project within Guatemala is called CasoSito. This organisation provides educational opportunities in rural areas for children living in poverty as illiteracy is extremely high in Guatemala; CasaSito offers education as an aide to fight poverty, injustice and discrimination. They do this by providing financial assistance through scholarship programmes and partnerships with local education centers that provide complementary education such as music, arts and sports.

People

We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travelers with real life experiences. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in our culture and the daily operations of every office and every trip. In addition, we expect our staff and travelers to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and local environments; in the distribution of wealth; in good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sustainable development.

We take care to use local transport throughout such as buses and water taxis. By using local transport you will get to encounter a variety of cultural experiences such as border crossings, local sellers and unforgettable conversations with the locals. We also stay in small, locally owned hotels and guesthouses which is a great way to put money back into the local economy.

We source produce locally throughout the trip, eat at local restaurants and encourage our travelers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans and villages as we pass through.

Recruitment of our ground team comes from the local community. This not only gives a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but it also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.