Are you being ‘greenwashed’?

 A lot of companies are jumping on the green band wagon and for very good reason…customers are now expecting that the companies they chose to deal with have green practices.

Here are a few questions travellers and agents should ask their suppliers:

1. Ask the tour operator or hotel if they have a written policy on responsible tourism that covers not only the environment but also the local communities. If they do ask to see it as it should be published quite prominently on their website. If they don’t then they probably don’t have one. I smell a greenwash!

2. Ask the company how they measure their contribution to conservation of the environment and to local communities. Do they have a carbon offset program? Do they support local charities? If you’re getting vague to no answers…then, I smell a greenwash!

 

OUT Adventures Carbon Offset

 

3. Ask the company what type of information they provide their customers prior to arrival on local custom, religion and practices. Do they have guidelines for sustainable travel? How do they convey this information? Is it readily available on their website, tripnotes, etc. If not…then I smell another greeenwash!

4. Ask them how they support local communities? Do they hire local guides?

 

Rob & Jo (pronounced Cho) - a Thailand guide

 

Do they support local businesses and in return contribute to local employment? Beware of the answer…”yes, of course we do, we all do.”

Yeap…greenwashing!

5. Ask them what they are most proud of in terms of responsible travel? Can they tell you? Do they have to get back to you? If so…yes again..I smell, you smell, we all smell a greenwash.

Five simple easy questions that will help you and your clients weed out the “green warriors” from the “greenwashers”.

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