The Essence of Asia Responsible Travel Belief Statement 

Essence of Asia practices a thorough, realistic Responsible Travel Policy. We believe that travel should entail an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, a sharing of wealth, and a genuine appreciation of Asia’s beautiful natural environments. This philosophy underpins the heart and soul of our style of travel. It drives all that we strive to deliver to our travellers, and shapes the contact we have with our supplier colleagues in Asia. We recognise that poorly planned itineraries or poorly informed tourists contribute less to cross-cultural understanding and less to the livelihoods of local people. We also recognise that we largely work in a developing part of the world. Political and social factors sometimes impede the short term implementation of our responsible travel initiatives, so we do not make blanket, unrealistic statements about the achievability of our goals – doing so would make us ‘irresponsible’. We aspire to short or medium term implementation of our policies where this is realistic and to incremental change where there are constraints of a governmental or cultural nature.

The Essence of Asia Responsible Travel Policy

As well as having offices in Australia and the United Kingdom, Essence of Asia has offices in several cities in Indochina. Our direct presence in Asia means that we are much better able to control the content of our itineraries, the actions of our suppliers, and the style of our Small Group Journey and tailored travel arrangements. In short, our offices in Asia give us leverage in implementing our Responsible Travel Policy. Arguably, our presence in Asia also makes us more ‘responsible’ for implementing this policy – this is a responsibility we embrace.

Social – our Essence of Asia staff

“Our Responsible Travel Policy begins with a mention of our staff, integral to our Responsible Travel Policy and a key to its implementation.”

Social – our operations

“Our offices in Asia put us in the special position of being able to implement most effectively our Responsible Travel Policy.”

Social – our style of travel

“The Essence of Asia philosophy is premised on a belief that Small Group Journey and tailored travel arrangements allow for more genuine experiences with local people and their environments, and allow us to avoid the offensive traits of mass tourism.”

Social – Essence of Asia and traveller direct involvement in the community

“We have a record of financially supporting a number of not-for-profit organisations working in Asia and of responding generously to humanitarian crises.”

“We encourage our travellers to patronise or financially assist numerous not-for-profit organisations.” These include causes which Essence of Asia financially supports (immediately above) as well as:

Environmental 

“Essence of Asia is committed to reducing and recycling waste in its own offices and to working with suppliers on a long term basis in the implementation of environmentally responsible initiatives.”

Economic

“Essence of Asia is a significant employer of people in the areas in which we operate. Our growth is directly linked to the livelihoods of people who help us to provide ground services, and is indirectly linked to the livelihoods of many more people.”

The Essence of Asia Guide to Responsible Travel

While we hope that your holiday in Asia will be stimulating, relaxing and even exciting, we also hope that you will get more out of your stay in this wonderful part of the world than rest and recreation. As part of our Essence of Asia Responsible Travel Policy, we’ve prepared some pointers which we hope will make for more informed, more ‘responsible’ holidays.

Prepare responsibly

Read up.  Learn about your holiday destination before you get on the plane. Read widely and read critically about the history, culture and peoples of Asia. Arriving in Asia with some understanding about the background the country you are visiting will help you get more out of your travels and your encounters with local people and sites. You will suffer less culture shock on arrival, be less likely to make cultural faux pas, and you will be more equipped to deal with the vagaries and vicissitudes that go with being in a vastly ‘different’ part of the world. Refer to your Essence of Asia Pre-Departure Guide for some recommended titles and consider referring to the World Tourism Organisation’s ‘Global Code of Ethics for Tourism’, visible at http://www.unwto.org/code_ethics/eng/principles.htm. This code establishes guidelines for tourism development and is a public statement against harmful tourism, including tourism which exploits children, and sex tourism.

Learn la lengua.  Refer to your Pre-Departure Guide, pick up a phrase book, ask your tour leader or local guide, or mix with the locals. Learn a few key phrases and a passage of smiles and fun will open up. You will shop smarter, gain a better insight into cultural nuances, and enjoy more enriching experiences with local people.

Combat carbon.  Consider making an on-line payment to ‘offset’ atmospherically damaging aircraft emissions. The principle of carbon offsetting is a somewhat controversial one, so in considering whether or not to make a carbon offset contribution, we suggest you refer research a number of websites. Some of these are listed on our Small Group Journey itineraries.

Rest responsibly.

Shower short.  Minimise your shower time so that water resources are used sparingly, and do not bath. Although much of Asia is subject to an annual monsoon downpour, it is not unusual for rains to fall locally, inundating some parts of a county with water while leaving nearby areas parched dry and in drought. In tourist boom cities such as Siem Reap in Cambodia the sheer volume of tourist arrivals is creating unprecedented demand on water and other resources. There are other things you can do to save water – consider using one plate only at buffet meals so that use of washing water (and detergent) is minimised.

Towel for tomorrow.  Keep your use of towels and linen to a minimum. Speak to your tour leader or local guide to request that linen is not changed daily by hotel housekeeping services. This will not only help to reduce the amount of water used during your visit but will also reduce use of detergent.

Leave off the lights.  Turn off lights when not in the room, and turn off the TV when no one is watching it. Air-conditioning is a huge energy user, so - most importantly - do not use air-conditioning unless you need to.

Shop responsibly

Bargain, but banter.  Bargaining is a cultural norm in much of developing Asia, and our advice is to approach your shopping with a measure of good humour and fun. A fair deal is one in which you are happy with the price you paid, and the seller is happy with the price received. There is no’ right or wrong’ price when bargaining. Bargain with a little compassion, and aim to leave any shopping experience with ‘smiles all round’.

Purge plastic.  Keep your use of plastic bags and packaging to a minimum. Undeveloped Asia does not have the facilities or the capacity to engage in mass recycling, so this means that plastic waste is usually buried. Without light, buried plastic can take literally hundreds of years to break down. Consider shopping with a cotton carry bag, or re-use a plastic bag. Say no to plastic straws in drinks (and learn how to say this in the local language!) and consider re-using water bottles or bringing one from home.

Purchase in provinces.  Spread your shopping across your holiday destination, outside the usual shopping meccas, as well as in places rightly famous for their shopping opportunities. Spending in villages and provinces in developing Asia will help spread the direct benefits of tourism across wider geographic areas.

Be friendly to forests.  Don’t purchase hard wood furniture manufactured from illegally felled lumber or made from lumber of unknown origin. Hard wood deforestation has scarred vast tracts of Asia in recent decades and has profound social, economic and environmental consequences for local populations. Arguably, it also accelerates the rate of global warming.

Respect the protected.  Do not buy sea shells, coral, or animal parts (tiger teeth, bear claws) which are likely to have been obtained illegally, or which are sold illegally. Don’t buy captive animals or birds in order to set them free, as this perpetuates demand for an unnecessary, cruel practice. Do not take photographs of captured or performing wildlife.

Spend socially.  Wherever possible, shop in outlets that support community groups such as women’s projects, disabled groups or similar. Ask your tour leader or local guide to tell you where these places can be found.

Dine responsibly

Lunch locally.  Avoid continual eating in hotels. Eat outside at good local restaurants. Doing so will help spread your tourist dollar directly to local, smaller scale enterprises and often rewards you with a better, more authentic meal experience! Purchase your water from local restaurants or street vendors rather than from hotel mini-bars. Do not use wooden disposable chopsticks (in Japan alone it is estimated that 120 million sets are used daily). Our Essence of Asia city guides recommend ‘tried and tested’ local restaurants which serve food hygienically.

Stick to staples.  Many restaurants in developing Asia serve animals which are protected species. Shy away from the novelty appeal that goes with ordering an exotic food. Do not order wild animal species from restaurant menus; consume instead meats and fish which are farmed sustainably.

Move responsibly

Care for culture.  Travel with respect to locally practised customs and beliefs. Accept alternate ways of thinking and of doing things; embrace and find intrigue in the differences that define a culture. After all, the world would be a boring place if we all did things and thought the same way. Remember … you are travelling precisely in order to seek out new sights and sounds. In Asia you will need patience, you will need to understand the concept of ‘face’, and you will never get anywhere by losing your cool. Your tour leader or local guide will provide you with information on cultural norms specific to your holiday destination. Be particularly aware that drunkeness, swearing or public displays or affection are viewed as inappropriate and offensive by many Asian cultures.

Dress to impress.  People in developing Asia generally dress conservatively. Women tend not to wear revealing tops nor skirts or pants that show their knees and even men will usually prefer long pants to shorts (smart knee-length shorts are fine). ‘Follow suit’ and dress with a sense of decorum. As well as showing respect to local dress norms you may also find that you are afforded better all round reception from local people, and better service in shops. First impressions count for a lot in Asia, and your dress style presents a visible and prominent façade to everyone you come in contact with.

Snap with sensitivity.  A camera can be used as a fun social ice breaker, but to some people it can also be an invasive and offensive tool. Try to be discreet, ask permission before taking a photo of someone, and respect the wishes of people who clearly do not want to be photographed. Consider sending photos back to your subjects (through your tour leader) but do not go back on your word when you do this. Think very carefully about the implications – for your subject and for future travellers – before paying for a photo.

Offer only alms.  Do not give money, presents or candy to children on the street, at home, or in village communities. Gift giving creates inequality within communities and encourages children to start begging. Giving money (even to children who offer to act as guides) can also make children the primary income earners in their family, resulting in long-term school truancy. Giving money to adult beggars is a slightly different proposition, and is more often socially normal in Asia. The appropriateness of giving money to adults is often situation-specific, so defer to the advice of your tour leader or local guide. Gifts such as text books and pencils are best given to organisations (such as schools or clinics) rather than to individuals, as distribution through a community channel is more likely to occur equitably, and with dignity.

Ride a rickshaw.  In your free time, consider getting around by man-powered cyclo, samlor, or rickshaw. As well as being environmentally friendly modes of transport, the drivers of these distinctively Asian vehicles are often from the poorer stratum of society and can benefit economically from the patronage you give them.

Chip in for a charity.  Essence of Asia supports the work of a number of charitable organisations working in Asia, all of whom would be enormously grateful for any financial donation you could make. Speak to your tour leader or local guide, or refer to this website for specific information on how to donate to organisations which would appreciate your assistance.

Snorkel sensibly. When snorkelling, diving, or observing marine mammals such as turtles, observe environmental guidelines. Never touch or break living coral! Never touch or feed any marine animal or fish.

Donating for a cause
- how to give something back to Asia -

Either before, during or after a holiday, many of our travellers understandably want to give something back to a part of the world which has left a memorable travel impression, but which might still be ‘developing’.

Essence of Asia proudly supports a small number of carefully-screened organisations which seek to make a difference to the lives of ordinary people in Asia. Our Responsible Travel Committee meets regularly to carefully consider its funding of these organistaions, and of other approaches to the Committee. Among other things, our committee considers whether an organisation is:

Some of the organisations Essence of Asia presently supports are listed below. We’ve made it easy for you to offer your own support to these worthwhile causes by giving some simple instructions on how to make donations. Keep in mind that most of these organisations are better able to direct and use donations of money, rather than materials or the offer of voluntary work.

organisations in Vietnam

The Loreto Vietnam-Australia Program

ANZ Bank, Me Linh Square, Ho Chi Minh City
Account name: Loreto Vietnam-Australia Program
US Dollar account number – 203454
VND (Vietnamese dong) account number – 302426-8
Bank Swift Code: ANZBVNVX472

(Australian) tax deductible cheques payable to
Australian Volunteers International. Trish Franklin – Vietnam
AVI, PO Box 350, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia

Non-tax deductible cheques payable to
Mary Ward International (LVAP)
Finance Centre: Loreto Province Centre
LVAP, PO Box 74, Albert Park, Victoria, 3206, Australia

Creativity for Humanity

KOTO (Know One Teach One)

Organisations in Cambodia

Angkor Hospital for Children

Essence of Asia supports the work of the Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC), a small pediatric teaching hospital based in Siem Reap. The hospital provides inpatient and outpatient care to needy children. It also trains Cambodian health care professionals, and promotes public health initiatives in Siem Reap province and greater Cambodia. Specific hospital projects include:

The Angkor Hospital for Children routinely sees between 300 and 500 children a day in its outpatient department.

You can support ACH the following ways:

Organisations in Laos

Big Brother Mouse

Organisations in India

The Purkal Youth Development Society