Eco Holidays

posted by Catherine on Dec 4

If you have ever wanted to become an eco travel writer and broadcaster - here is your chance!

Every year, the Royal Geographic Society (RGS) offer someone the chance to win the Journey of a Lifetime award, to go travel to and write about a pressing and inspiring story from around the world.

The Award:
The RGS offer a prize of UK£4000 to someone who want to communicate their story - their passion - to the world.  Someone who wants to investigate a location or an event that they feel needs to be brought to a wider audience.

Whether it is about a local village close to your home or on the other side of the world, a small family-run enterprise or a global event, whether it affects a few people in one place or thousands across a continent - it doesn’t matter.

Its your version of ‘their’ story - and they help you make the most of your time too - they offer you radio and broadcasting training from the BBC so that you can best create and record your journey - even recording it for a Radio 4 documentary.

And of course the winner will feature in their own magazine Geographical - with last years winners article in the December 2009 edition.

The Details:
You only need visit the RGS website to read the guidelines for applicants - and you can also learn about previous winners stories and watch their video diaries.

Basically, you need to let them know the outline for your independent journey - and why it needs to be you that tells the story!  And you need to pick somewhere to go that is different to the norm - and some aspect of that journey that makes you unique and your story unforgettable.

You need to be at least 18 years old - and it could be you alone or you as part of a small group of travellers - but it must be something you alone are doing - it can’t be part of a tourist trail or charity event organised by others.

The guidelines make it almost look too easy to apply - there is virtually no previous experience needed to apply, and the first stage is just to send them a brief overview of what you are thinking of covering.  There are interviews later down the line and the 2 finalists play it head to head for the winner - but that is a long way off.

Just put pen to paper now - and it gives you virtually a whole year to think about the final details - the closing date isn’t until September 2010!

If you are enthusiatic about something - this could be the best way to explore it and share it with the world!

Certainly something to think about.

posted by Catherine on Feb 10

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For a great eco adventure - why not consider joining a charity trek or cycle.

Many companies and charity offer great tour holidays to destinations across the globe where you raise some money for your chosen charity and then start training for some tough challenges!

Finding the Right Trip:
Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to do one closer to home, or whether you are prepared to travel by plane to a distant location. Depending on the charity you choose, the type of trip and the impact on the destination, only you can decide whether you think you should travel that far.

Find out about the company that are organising the trip (not the charity that are advertising it). This way you will be able to read up on their eco policies and company ethics regarding tourism. Many companies have been running for years - but their success is no guarantee of their eco savvy! Make sure you are happy with the way they plan to do things.

Choose Your Charity:
Make sure you pick a charity that you believe in. Not only will this make your funds go even further for you, but it will also help you to raise the money in the first place, and make you feel better about the whole trip and your reasons for wanting to do it.

If you find an advertised trip you like, but the charity isn’t one you would support, then find an independent company like Discover Adventure. This company organise trips all the time for large or small groups - and you can choose any charity you want to donate your money to - even a small charity local in your community that isn’t internationally famous. It doesn’t matter to them - it just needs to matter to you.

Raising The Money:
Before committing to anything, make sure that you are prepared to raise the funds and/or chip in yourself. Some tour holidays require you to raise up to £3500 - others will obviously cost less. Can your employer help? Are you friends with a local restaurant/bar manager or can a local school help you?

How much of the raised funds actually go to the charity? What happens if you can’t raise it all in the time given - where does the money go? Can you extend your stay at the destination therefore making the flight less of an impact? Can they suggest any volunteer work out there for you to move on to after the trek?

Preparation:
Does the trek offer you advice about health and training for the trip or do they just assume you will manage to train yourself. Remember that if you aren’t fit enough for the adventure - you may not enjoy the trip at all, and possibly injure yourself.

Do they offer you information about the culture you will be experiencing and tips on learning a few words of the language and some customs of the local people? Make sure they advise on the dos and don’ts for the trip and you have the right equipment for the terrain and weather you will encounter.

The Trip Itself:
Make sure you enquire about the impact that your trip is going to have on the people and the wildlife you are going to encounter. Will the trek be employing local people as guides or porters - if so are they getting a fair deal out of it? Will the hotels or other accommodation be locally run, and the food locally sourced?

Will you have a chance to speak with local people and get to experience their communities and culture? Many offer several days in the location before or after the trek/cycle to taste the country or region. Make sure that you try local dishes and drinks while there as well - using local transport and spending local money.

Enjoy Yourself:
By all means sign yourself up to one of these trips - either a short cycle in your local area, or a full 2 week trek in some far-away destination - but make sure you do your homework first.

Don’t just go for the one that is heavily advertised and accept whatever comes with it - make sure you are happy with their ethics and they practice responsible tourism. Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions that concern you - remember their are dozens of companies competing for your attention, so make sure you let them know how you feel by voting with your feet.

By choosing the most ethical trips with the most eco friendly companies, you will be helping to weed out the worst and improve the competition - and of course have the best time on your eco holiday and adventure!