Irresponsible Tourism http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum This is an XML content feed of; Irresponsible Tourism : Last 10 Posts Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:22:21 +0000 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:27:20 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 8.05a 30 www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/RSS_topic_feed.asp Irresponsible Tourism http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.gif http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum Suggest a new topic : Introduction http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=181&PID=552#552 Author: rabicamail
Subject: Introduction
Posted: 02 Mar 2010 at 22:27

My name is Rabica from London .I've just joined this forum and I would be glad to offer free advice about  traveling       ]]> Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:27:20 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=181&PID=552#552 Responsible or Irresponsible Volunteering? : GOOGLE AD FOR "ORIGINAL VOLUNTEERS" http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=180&PID=551#551 Author: goodwinhj
Subject: GOOGLE AD FOR "ORIGINAL VOLUNTEERS"
Posted: 02 Mar 2010 at 15:53

I agree that it is very unfortunate that the Google adverts sometimes promote products which may well be seen by some users of the forum as questionable -  they sometimes appear to illustrate what the site is about!

We have no control over the Google adverts which appear in the right hand column.
]]> Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:53:41 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=180&PID=551#551 Responsible or Irresponsible Volunteering? : GOOGLE AD FOR "ORIGINAL VOLUNTEERS" http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=180&PID=550#550 Author: Giannis
Subject: GOOGLE AD FOR "ORIGINAL VOLUNTEERS"
Posted: 28 Feb 2010 at 15:03

It's an unfortunate irony that a particular Google ad that regularly appears on the right of the posting window is incongruous with the very nature of this forum.

I work in sustainability for a large tour operator, and consider myself alert to the broad spectrum of issues, including volunteering and child protection. Sadly, there is a dangerous crossover that exists between these two subjects, as many will no doubt already be aware of. 
 
"Volunteer in Thailand - Pay £100 Once, Stay up to 12 Weeks. Volunteer with Children - Book Now!" states the ad for Original Volunteers. Clicking through to their site, things don't look good.   

http://www.originalvolunteers.co.uk/how%20to%20applypage9.html. It seems there is absolute zero vetting of applicants whatsoever. Doing a little research on Google then, I came across this: 

 http://www.gap-year.com/browse.asp?catID=1393&sNode=1393&Exp=Y.

 

I am not suggesting that this company is in any way engaged in anything illegal, but its zero-vetting approach to volunteering with children is both dangerous and irresponsible.  

]]> Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:03:30 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=180&PID=550#550 Suggest a new topic : Aragon http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=179&PID=549#549 Author: amabile
Subject: Aragon
Posted: 26 Feb 2010 at 02:07

Hello everyone, I have turned a small business trip, and I want to spend quality time with my children and my wife, but not where. If anyone can recommend me somewhere I'm going to thank.

From already thank you very much.
Kisses





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]]> Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:07:25 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=179&PID=549#549 Accommodation : Remote resort hotels http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7&PID=548#548 Author: martastu
Subject: Remote resort hotels
Posted: 25 Feb 2010 at 16:39

Ey! that is so illegal... i hope we can stop them!]]> Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:39:10 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7&PID=548#548 Grey areas in (ir)responsibility : Giving gifts to local children http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=178&PID=547#547 Author: zoeb
Subject: Giving gifts to local children
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 at 17:25

sorry this went under the wrong post - please ignore me!!]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:25:12 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=178&PID=547#547 Irresponsible 'Giving' : Misplaced fundraising and donations http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16&PID=546#546 Author: zoeb
Subject: Misplaced fundraising and donations
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 at 17:22

I wondered what you thought of the following travel advice:

 

As a tour operator we used to suggest that travelers bring pens and notebooks to give out to the local children as an alternative to money and sweets which we found the children would ask for when they saw our groups.

 

However a lot of our local guides and reps (especially in India and Africa) suggested that we stopped offering gifts to children as it encouraged begging and promoted a culture of dependency. Instead they asked that if possible our clients contribute money or supplies to a local school or community organisation.

 

Do you feel that the later is a more responsible option for our clients?

]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:22:27 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16&PID=546#546 Grey areas in (ir)responsibility : Giving gifts to local children http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=178&PID=545#545 Author: zoeb
Subject: Giving gifts to local children
Posted: 23 Feb 2010 at 17:13

I wondered what you thought of the following travel advice:

 

As a tour operator we used to suggest that travelers bring pens and notebooks to give out to the local children as an alternative to money and sweets which we found the children would ask for when they saw our groups.

 

However a lot of our local guides and reps (especially in India and Africa) suggested that we stopped offering gifts to children as it encouraged begging and promoted a culture of dependency. Instead they asked that if possible our clients contribute money or supplies to a local school or community organisation.

 

Do you feel that the later is a more responsible option for our clients?

 

 
]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:13:03 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=178&PID=545#545 Report Irresponsible Tourism : Eco-travel to Lake Baikal, SIberia? http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=177&PID=544#544 Author: cathy.mane
Subject: Eco-travel to Lake Baikal, SIberia?
Posted: 21 Feb 2010 at 20:10

Lake Baikal is one of the "Greeniest" places in the world. It's Siberia. It's in the middle of nowhere. But you must see how hard people try to make their life better there. I've been there and seen it all. I traveled with Baikal Mystery travel company and they turned out to be quite good at Green Travel. But again, going to the places like Siberia, you should avoid being irresponsible and use the services of travel companies. Try that: www.baikalmystery.com You don't have to travel in a big group, it can be just you with a local guide.
In Russia not many people speak English, the infrastructure is really bad, you never know where you are going to end up... No matter how nice people are around you, Russia is still not ready for independent travelers. Agree?

Edited by cathy.mane - 21 Feb 2010 at 20:18]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:10:17 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=177&PID=544#544 Report Irresponsible Tourism : False Advertising http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=149&PID=543#543 Author: cathy.mane
Subject: False Advertising
Posted: 21 Feb 2010 at 19:59

Hotels do sometimes false advertise themselves as being Eco hotels. But for example, travel company Baikal Mystery only works with green travelers. I've tried their new destination - Tankhoy - and it was real nice to see that it was the local people of that tiny village who got the raised money. ]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:59:37 +0000 http://www.irresponsibletourism.info/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=149&PID=543#543