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Annapurna and Tilicho Lake
What a fantastic trip! Really really great, what an adventure and what a fantastic team we had looking after us! There was never any doubt that we were save and more than well cared for. I was absolutely amazed at how easy and little fuss was made over my dietary requirements. They were reconfirmed at the beginning and that was the last I heard of it, it was all sorted. I have stayed in 5 star hotels in the past where ensuring my food was wheat and dairy free was a big hassle, yet your team managed to make it entirely easy and hassle free despite being in the back of beyond - I honestly can not praise them high enough.
Polar Regions and Far East Russia
When visiting continents, rich in wildlife and with fragile and pristine environments the importance of travelling responsibly is extreme if we are to preserve them for future generations to enjoy. We make a concerted effort to minimize our impact on the environments we visit and the wildlife we’ll encounter.
Environmental: Antarctica and Arctic
| • | The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) was formed in 1991 to promote environmentally responsible travel to Antarctica, and World Expeditions is proud to be an Associate Member of IAATO. We operate within the parameters of the Antarctic Treaty System, including the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on the Environment and Annexes and IAATO guidelines. Visit www.iaato.org to learn about their guidelines. |
| • | In 2003, we became founding members of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). Visit www.aeco.no to learn about their guidelines. |
| • | We are active members of “Clean Up Svalbard” in the Arctic, a project to encourage passengers to pick up litter when they go ashore. |
| • | We support research, donate funds and allocate resources to ensure we leave Antarctic regions that we visit as we found them, or better. |
| • | We support the Australian Geographical Society by donating a percentage of our funds from selected voyages and transport scientists and researchers to various locations. |
| • | We make significant annual contributions to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Antarctic Heritage Trust and the Russian State Reserve Agency. |
| • | We support the New Zealand Meteorological Service and non-governmental research agencies, including the World Wildlife Fund (Russia) and the University of Canterbury. |
| • | Our voyages have a maximum of 114 passengers on board, small group voyages to ensure minimal impact. |
| • | We provide educational lectures and experiences on board to ensure our travellers understand the natural elements of Antarctica and the Arctic. They are briefed on the environmental code of conduct and the scientific explanations behind them to help maximise the enjoyment of their visit without compromising the surrounding pristine environments. |
| • | When travellers are ashore they are accompanied by chosen scientists (ornithologists, biologists, geologists) and historians, who share their knowledge and passion for the environment. |
| • | All travellers are asked to clean their boots before leaving the ship for land, and again when returning, using a biodegradable liquid that we provide. |
| • | All waste generated on our expeditions is disposed of in a responsible manner; onboard it is treated as prescribed by MARPOL and on land expeditions recycling is encouraged. Non-recyclable waste is brought back for disposal at approved sites. |
| • | We believe that travel to remote destinations helps create lifelong ambassadors for environment protection. Leading by example, we take every opportunity to explain the fragile ecosystems we encounter and hope to inspire our travellers to spread the word of environmental stewardship. If our passengers return home with a better understanding and awareness of environmental protection, then we know we have achieved our goal. |
| • | Our travellers are provided with the IAATO and AECO guidelines in their final documentation and on board the ship. |
| • | To ensure that the best qualified staff and field personnel are employed we continue training and education of our guides and naturalists. Expedition Leaders and Assistant Expedition Leaders in addition undergo an online field assessment with final evaluation every year. |
Social & Cultural: Far East Russia
| • | We employ many crew members from the Russian Government Research Institute and their wages are paid in Russia, supporting their families and the local economy. |
| • | Our policy is to support local businesses wherever possible, so fresh food and beverages are purchased from the ports of embarkation within Russia i.e. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy and Anadyr. This policy extends to encouraging passengers to support sustainable locally produced crafts. We also employ local guides in the various villages we visit. |
