Sustainable Tourism

A rich endowment in natural and cultural heritage makes the Himalayan region an amazing destination for nature-based mountain tourism and cultural tourism alike.

However, Nepal's environment is extremely fragile. Also, cultural traditions are on risk due to cultural globalisation, with the Western, 'modern', industrialized culture as the predominant model.

Thus several aspects have to be considered while travelling - in Nepal and elsewhere - in order to let all people benefit from the encounter: the guests and the hosts, the environment and the cultural heritage.

Some examples may help understand what we mean:

People in rural areas usually depend on wood as their one and only source of energy. For cooking a family's two warm meals per day, a considerable amount of firewood is needed. Imagine how much more is needed when a group of travellers has to be fed! And further imagine, how much wood is needed to boil water for the hot water travellers expect for their hot shower. Hence, mainstream tourism may even contribute towards deforestation and soil erosion in rural areas of Nepal, which causes severe ecological damage.

Sustainable tourism tries to look for alternatives. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) optimizes the impact of tourism for example by supporting construction and use of solar cookers. - A model which proved to work throughout the region.

Another problem on the rise is the increasing garbage and waste. Even rural people get attracted by industrialized food. This leaves packing materials behind for which no waste management has been developed yet. Imagine how much waste a group of tourists leaves behind, who brought their entire food in cans and plastic on the back of porters. Of course one could argue that the porters could carry the waste back to the next town or city - we believe that the avoidance of waste is the better way. Many times we experienced that our guests were amazed how tasty a local meal consisting of rice or millet, vegetable curry and lentil soups are, especially after a trekking day or after a day spent on the fields! Your hosts will always strive to prepare the best for you: freshly cut vegetables from their kitchen garden, fresh meat (if you want), local pulses and fruits. We support local projects of organic farming and ensure that your hosts get fair prices for the quality food they provide. Like this local income generation is ensured.

In urban centres, one can observe local traditions slowly vanish - to great is the enticement of celebrating foreign festivals, eating western food or wearing modern attire. With our cultural tours and courses we try to counter-influence this development and we experience that this concept is successful. Kathmandu based artisans, for example, are highly motivated to teach their skills to foreign visitors, and their higher self-esteem is being reflected in higher reputation from their own communities.

The described positive influences need to be brought to other, unexplored areas of Nepal as well, where people still live in dire poverty and deprived of any contact to or benefit from the modern world.

In order to let as many people as possible gain to the optimum from sustainable tourism, Himalayan Vibes is devoted to apply the following principles of sustainability to its programs:

Environmental Responsibility

• To minimise environmental damage by exploring nature in small groups and, as much as possible, on foot
• To educate and raise awareness among locals on the importance and long-term benefits of eco tourism and on how to protect their environment, natural heritage and maintain biodiversity
• To keep our clients well-informed on aspects of environmental management and conservation
• To minimize garbage and waste, wherever possible by recycling garbage and if not possible, not to leave any garbage behind but to take it to the next disposal facility
• To reduce adverse environmental impacts when developing and operating tourism programs
• To use natural resources sustainable

Economic Responsibility

• To establish joint ventures, partnerships and other business linkages to promote community-based tourism initiatives
• To purchase, where possible, local produce and consume local foods. To provide locals with feedback from clients for possible improvements of quality
• To buy, wherever possible, locally produced supplies and to use preferably small, locally owned accommodation and family-run home stay
• To ensure communities actively participate in and benefit from tourism
• To maximise local economic benefits by increasing linkages
• To promote equitable business and pay fair prices
• To assist with local marketing and product development
• To contribute financially to local development projects (i.e. schools, hospitals, conservation etc.)

Social Responsibility

• To generate income by using local guides, facilitators and porters and to train them to the highest standards expected by modern-day tourists
• To use, wherever possible, small, locally owned, family-run accommodation, and similarly owned and operated specialist local agents/ground operators with a feeling of ownership towards what they are doing
• To develop and commit to long-term plans to visit rural areas and support the local communities
• To involve local communities in planning, decision making and evaluation of tourist programs in their area
• To ensure that locals receive a fair share of benefits from the program
• To particularly empower women by involving them in the hospitality business and by providing management and development training
• To practice social inclusiveness while choosing partner projects

Cultural Sensitivity

• To respect the cultural values of hosts and visitors alike
• To create awareness among our countrymen and -women about their guests and about cultural aspects different from Nepalese culture
• To create awareness among our customers about Nepalese culture and customs
• To facilitate inter-cultural exchange and inter-personal sharing between people of different cultures
• To be sensitive to the host culture
• To respect social and cultural diversity and treat cultural heritage with dignity and respect