Sustainable Travel - Chile & Argentina

Our Sustainable Travel Policy

Chile and Argentina face great environmental challenges in the coming years:

•  the Patagonia ice field, the second largest fresh water reserve in the world is receding at an unprecedented rate;

•  governments are under pressure to dam more rivers to meet increased demand for electrical power;

•  and high metal prices are driving mining companies to dig up areas of natural beauty at an ever increasing rate.

Tourism and the revenue that it geneates in local communities is one of the most effective mechanisms for protecting the environment if it can be managed sustainably.

Optimundo is committed to maximising the economic benefits that tourism can bring to these destinations in a sustainable manner. We achieve sustainability through a responsible attitude towards local people, local places, local produce and local issues.

Local People

•  We are the only UK Tour Operator to have a permanent office in the Chile. This benefits not only our customers, whose holidays are prepared by real local experts, but also creates direct local employment.

•  Where we work with other local operators throughout the region we prefer, where possible, to use smaller, locally owned businesses. Not only does this ensure that it is the host community who are managing and benefiting from the local tourist industry, but our clients will have a better trip as local operators have a much more intimate knowledge of the region.

•  For the same reasons as above, we always use local guides and drivers. This not only provides crucial employment and income for the local community, but also increases the authenticity of the customers' trip.

•  We favour local operators who, like ourselves, have an awareness of responsible tourism policies and strong environmental commitment.

•  As we are based locally ourselves, we are in constant contact with out partner operators who keep us updated on their own responsible tourism practices as well as potential community tourism projects, local charities, eco-accommodation etc that we can recommend to our customers.

•  Customers are asked to report on the behaviour and awareness of our local guides, drivers and lodges once they have returned home from their trip.

Local Places

•  Accommodation: We always recommend accommodation in lodges that have been built using local artisans and traditional materials.

•  We always prefer to use hotels which have environmental policies in place regarding reuse of towels and sheets, electricity and water usage etc.

•  Where available we recommend our clients stay in ethically responsible accommodation, such as eco-lodges that aim to preserve the beauty of natural surroundings.

•  We always try to favour small locally owned hotels over large international chains. We work closely with our local ground agents to source more small guesthouses, B&Bs, boutique hotels and eco-friendly lodges. This ensures that as much revenue as possible remains in the host country as well as providing a more authentic experience for our clients.

Local Produce

•  Where customers have an interest in wine tours we actively recommend visits to wineries that manage organic vineyards.

•  Restaurants: we recommend restaurants that use local produce and/or are operated by co-operatives of farming or fishing communities.

Local Issues

•  Our Chilean office is located in La Serena in the Norte Chico region. The Chilean forestry commission (CONAF) manages a tree planting programme to stop the southward advance of the Atacama desert. Our local staff in Chile are actively involved in this project .

Customers

•  Whilst we recognise that a vital element of any holiday is relaxation, we do try to encourage our clients to be aware of their impact in their destination. During the booking process we advise on the cultural sensitivities of the chosen destination and our local guides brief our clients upon their arrival. We hope this will serve not only to ensure the sustainability of our destinations, but also to improve the quality of the experience overall.

•  Customers are asked to comment and make suggestions on our responsible practice when completing the post-trip feedback form they receive after travelling with us.

Office practice

•  Responsible practice is exercised in our office with various measures put in place aimed at reducing, re-using and recycling resources where possible.

•  Paper-free office: we don't provide any printed material to customers. All ATOL documentation, itineraries, airline tickets are issued electronically.

•  We do not produce a printed brochure. All information about our holidays can be found on our website.

•  We minimise our electricity consumption by switching off lights, computers, fans etc in rooms that are not in use and at night. We keep doors and windows closed when heating is on.

•  We encourage staff to use public transport or walk in to work.

Future aims

•  We are committed to developing our Responsible Practices policy even further in the future. Our aim is to continually incorporate new responsible practices into our business at all levels.

•  We are committed to the tree planting initiative in which are staff are involved on a voluntary basis. This project not only protects the region from the spread of the desert, but goes some way to offset the carbon emitted on our customers holidays. It is our aim to eventually completely offset the carbon emissions of all our holidays through increased participation in the tree planting programme.

Whatever your travel plans, contact us for advice on travelling to Chile and Argentina.