Journey's is a tour operator that takes travelers on worldwide nature and cultural explorations, with the premise of keeping the group at a small size in order to not overwhelm the experience, directly and respectfully interact with the locals and their natural environments, while carefully using resources and contributing to the preservation of them.
Most of Journey's guides have been with the tour operator since their first treks in 1979. Journey's is constantly looking at ways to practice sustainable tourism. It has established a Code of Ethics for nature and cultural travelers. These codes inform the traveler that Journey's is trying to conserve our natural environment, therefore, certain principles must be followed. The Code states the following principles:
ASPIRE TO INVISIBILITY: Observe but do not disturb natural systems.
- Move cautiously and quietly in natural areas;
- Do not collect natural souvenirs;
- Sense and emulate acceptable conversation volume and vigor;
- Don't overwhelm or intimidate your hosts;
- Observe all locally established rules and regulations for conduct.
VANISH WITHOUR A TRACE: Minimize your impact on the environment
- Remove packaging from items before leaving home;
- Bring and use biodegradable soaps and detergents;
- Conserve water;
- Do not build campfires in dry or protected areas;
- Do not distribute nondegradable, breakable gifts or items in nondegraeable packaging;
- Do not buy or consume animal or plant products harvested from unmanaged wild populations;
- Leave no litter.
SEIZE THE POWER OF YOUR EXPERIENCE: Act directly to accomplish conservation.
- Pick up litter left by others;
- Do not rely on local markets or village food supplies to outfit your trip--you can cause inflation or food shortages;
- Do not patronize accommodations, organizations, vendors, operators, villages, or individuals that violate environmental regulations or principles;
- Advocate for sustainable use of the natural environment you visit;
- Discuss conservation with local students and teachers;
- Tell your guides and the Journey's staff about improvements we can make to positively affect nature and cultural conservation;
- Make donations to temples, schools, monasteries, parks, and museums;
- Join local conservation organizations.
VALUE OTHER CULTURES: Embrace diversity. reverse missionary zeal.
- Learn proper local etiquette;
- Dress neatly and conservatively in your own cultural tradition;
- Employ local residents as guides, porters, or drivers--treat them as friends, not as servants;
- Learn the names of your local host and a little of their naive language;
- Listen and learn; do not preach or criticize cultural practices;
- Purchase souvenirs from the original makers and do not drive an excessively hard bargain;
- Evaluate requests for gifts carefully and provide a balanced view of Western material culture;
- Determine from your guide the most culturally appropriate way to reciprocate for local hospitality;
- Take photographs within the guidelines suggested by your guide. Make good promises to send copies.
Journey's has also been involved in other conservation efforts besides constructing a Code of Ethics. The company created the nonprofit Earth Preservation Fund (EPF), in order to support many conservation programs and projects. The EPF and Journeys work together to create the highest level of participatory travel. Contributions in the form of funds, labor or publicity backed on-site by local community leadership and workmanship assures that goals are accomplished.
Information in this section can be attributed to the following:
Journey's Website