TAAN to promote sustainable tourism

Trekking agencies in the country are adopting environment friendly principles in a bid to contribute toward sustainable tourism development and attract more eco-friendly trekkers.

Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), the umbrella organization of trekking agents, has already started training program for its member agencies in order to make them aware of the sustainable mechanism. Ganga Sagar Pant, CEO of TAAN, said the training will cover issues like reusing papers, replacing generators with solar equipment and rainwater harvesting, among others.

The association will also encourage the agencies on issues of human rights of employees, porters and trekking guides.

TAAN has signed an agreement with Travelife International and CBI, an NGO based in the Netherlands, in cooperation with SNV Nepal.

Although some of the parameters like green house gas are beyond the control of small scale trekking tour operators, the association has also reformulated the parameters to fit in the local context.

Once the agencies comply with the conditions set by Travelife, they will have to promote local products during trekking and discourage tourists from carrying plastics during the trek. They will also have to ensure that no child labor is used.

“In order to be certified by Travelife, which will assure tourists that they are traveling through eco-friendly partner, agencies will have to make public their policy on workplace conditions, environment, human rights and other social responsibilities, through their websites,” said Pant

As per the agreement, once the agencies are trained and agree to continue the philosophy, they can start partnership will Travelife which is certain to provide bigger exposure to such agencies and give a boost to Nepal´s tourism industry.

Pant said the certification would help Nepal attract more trekkers as many European tour operators will be willing to deal with such agencies.

Travelife is also working with Nepali hoteliers to encourage adoption of eco-friendly measures. Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) started promoting such measures about a year ago. It is presently holding consultations with member hotels for adopting eco-friendly principles with focus on rain water harvesting, waste management and installing solar lighting system.

source: republica,4 march 2013