Responsible Tourism
Naucrates believes that sustainable tourism can help to conserve our natural world by giving you the chance to experience and learn about wildlife in natural habitats.
Naucrates endorses and follow "responsible tourism" as a pathway towards sustainable tourism. Responsible tourism and sustainable tourism have an identical goal, that of sustainable development.
The pillars of responsible tourism are therefore the same as those of sustainable tourism – environmental integrity, social justice and economic development.
Naucrates responsible tourism takes the responsibility for their actions and the impacts of their actions.
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Naucrates is featured in:
- Volunteer Vacations Guide
- Green volunteers
- The good tourist e-guide
- Ecotravellers Finland
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In 2002, a pilot study of sustainable tourism started by Lisa Jones at Phra Thong island, Thailand.
The study of the impact of tourism on Phra Thong led to a number of materials for use on the island. A series of materials were created to provide information to visitors:
- Leaflets for 'Low impact visitors to the island'
- Conservation and eco-tourism information for visitors
Unfortunately, Lisa Jones, lost her life in the tsunami of 2004, and her study was not completed.
Even though, Naucrates is continuing to conduct activities following the basic principles of responsible tourism, naucrates ensures sustainability and that local cultures and the environment are treated with the utmost care and respect.
Monica gives a Naucrates t-shirt with a print of the winning design of the drawing competition organized at the village school. |
Children Day. Thailand 2004 |
Naucrates responsible tourism is based upon basic objectives:
- To protect the environment – its flora, fauna and landscapes
- To respect local cultures – traditions, religions and built heritage
- To benefit local communities – both economically and socially
- To conserve natural resources
- To minimise pollution – through noise, waste disposal and congestion
A place to chill out at the village pier, Thailand |
Leaving the island, Thailand |
Policy aims:
Naucrates proposes eco-holidays which will allow participants to learn about Nature, meet and live with local people and actively work for Conservation.
Naucrates offers eco-holidays which comprises art courses correlated with nature, wildlife gardening weeks and natural excursions in central Italy. In addition, Naucrates organizes teams of volunteers to carry out conservation work on sea turtles, coral reef and mangrove forest in South Thailand and ecological restoration work in Italy.
Naucrates conservation is providing resources to help sustain livelihoods through the protection, restoration and management of natural environment.
Each group has between 6 and 10 people with one or two Naucrates staff members.
Local transport, Thailand |
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Economic Responsibility:
- We only employ the services of local accommodation, restaurants and guides.
- When possible we do set up home-stay accommodation in the local village
- We employ local people to run conservation work
- We encourage and take participants to visit local restaurants and we also participate in local cultural events.
- We show local products encouraging to purchase local crafts.
- Many participants continue to travel after they have finished their holiday or work with us, encouraging tourism in the area
Children playing the recycling game, Thailand 2008 |
Naucrates staff crossing the bridge at the local village, Koh Phra Thong, Thailand |
Enviromental Responsibility:
- Naucrates staff gives talks about the local environment, wildlife and ecosystem to all participants. Guided visits are scheduled to illustrate the natural local treasures.
- Naucrates volunteers are trained to conduct conservation work on the field.
- Naucrates provides technical-scientific advice to resorts, hotels and tour operators on environmental friendly management.
- Naucrates encourages the application of eco policies, such as to use recycled paper and reduce the consume of water and energy.
- Naucrates conducts environmental education programmes in local schools and among local communities.
Homestay Accommodation for volunteers and staff at the Lion Village houses. Thailand 2008 |
Social Responsibility:
- Naucrates targets a diverse range of audiences including local communities, schoolchildren, community leaders, fishermen, resort owners, local authorities, students, tour guides, volunteers and boat drivers.
- Naucrates is widely recognized on a site in South Thailand for its pioneering conservation work started in 1996 at Phra Thong Island.
- Naucrates interviews local communities to investigate on their needs and problems concerning natural resources and education
- Workshop and presentations are carried out to inform local people about Naucrates activities.
- Naucrates provides pre-holiday information offering the possibility to talk with people that have been with us before
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