Code of Good Practice: Visiting Traditional / Rural Communities

As part of our commitment to advancing sustainable tourism, we encourage our tourism partners to improve their sustainability performance by providing them with the guidance below.

• Ensure applicable legal permits are in place
• Ensure insurance is in place for guests and team
• Respect local leadership / traditional governance structures; their permission being obtained for visits to take place
• Identify health & safety risks, implement management systems, and provide appropriate safety
  equipment
• Ensure enough team members are available in case of emergency
• Monitor activity area conditions (including weather) in advance & during the activity
• Be familiar with activity area and ensure that navigation and communication tools are in good working order
• Maximize local economic benefits through employment and supporting local businesses / hosts
• Engage local stakeholders about how the activity should happen, and to ensure social and environmental impacts are managed responsibly
• Agree expectations and responsibilities of the experience with local businesses / hosts
• Ensure regular engagement with local businesses / hosts to improve quality and ensure that respect for cultural heritage is maintained
• Avoid single use & disposable items, provide adequate waste collection facilities for safe disposal
  (or better yet - pack out what you take in), and pick up any rubbish found along the way
• Be waterwise and take pro-active measures to use water sparingly
• Minimize energy used in the activity as part of a climate action strategy
• Provide information in advance about your sustainability actions, activity accessibility, what to expect, and what to bring with
• Screen participants to make sure that the activity is well suited to their fitness & level of ability
• Manage group size to minimize impacts on people & the planet
• Ensure that activity vehicles do not disturb residents
• Obtain written confirmation, e.g., via indemnity, that participants are aware of activity risks
• Brief participants about do’s and don’ts, safety, what to expect, applicable etiquette / conduct to be respectful of, topics of conversation that might be culturally inappropriate, activity areas / buildings that might be off-limits, and logistical considerations before the activity starts
• In sensitive socio-economic or cultural contexts, e.g., communities with little contact with other cultures, someone from the local community must accompany the group
• Share information about local nature and culture along the way and social development / conservation projects that participants may want to support
• Facilitate opportunities for meaningful exchange with local people
• Show respect for the land, waterways, wildlife, and others in the area
• Repair and compensate for any damage caused to the activity area
• Contribute to conserving activity area integrity; let relevant authorities / leadership know about any concerns and participate in rehabilitation projects