At Kogelo Tours we aim to promote sustainability through cultural tourism
Sustainability is the ability to live within your means without compromising the needs of future generations.
Sustainability is more than just reusable bags and growing your own veg at home. Though environmental issues are a major factor in this, we also need to consider the economic and social aspects of our habits if we want to reduce our impact on the planet.
Economic and social factors include things like; sustainable growth, a better distribution of wealth, equal opportunities and social stability. Overall we want to decrease inequality and increase general well-being.
So here are 6 things you can do as a tourist to help!
1. Eat out
It can be tempting to eat and drink in the wonderful hotel you have booked, but a simple walk around the corner to a local cafe or bar ensures you are actually contributing to the local economy and not just the hotel provider. Bonus: the food is always much more authentic and tasty!
While on tour with us you get a lot of opportunities to sample local life and food!
2. Buy local souvenirs
Another way to help the local community is the buy the souvenirs which are made there. Be careful to check there isn’t a ‘Made in China’ sticker on the bottom of the Kenyan cup you are buying though…!
Although this option might be cheaper it is better to source locally made products, pay that extra dollar and ensure your money is going to the locals who make them.
3. Take reusable products
In many developing countries plastic is a massive issue still. To help we advise that you travel with some reusable products. A small knife and fork set, a metal straw and some tote bags to fill with some authentic local souvenirs.
4. Give back
One of the hardest things when travelling to less developed places can be experiencing
5. Sponsorship
If you do want to give back another wonderful thing to do if you wish to continue to help the community after you have gone home is through sponsorships. Again make sure you are going through a trusted source, but many places offer sponsorship for a variety of projects such as; environmental, wildlife and our personal favourite education.
One of the best ways to tackle the issues of sustainability in developing countries is through educational sponsorship, especially of young women. Keeping children in school for longer increases the potential labour force and also decreases birth rates.
We work closely with the Red Rubber Ball Foundation who provide opportunities for young people across Africa, but primarily in Kenya, to get a full education.
6. Travel with the right people
Check out your tour providers values and practices. Are they environmentally friendly, do they support local communities, heritage, and wildlife, do they employ local staff?
At Kogelo Tours, we try to be as transparent as possible, to the extent we even take you to our projects as part of our tours, so you can see first hand where your money and your help is going.
