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EXO Foundation: Guiding Exotissimo Travel on the responsible path

EXO Foundation: Guiding Exotissimo Travel on the responsible path. Presentation to Exotissimo. Exotissimo’s previous involvement in charitable actions Milestones Cyclone Nargis Relief Efforts in 2008 Biggest charity initiative in Exotissimo’s history

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EXO Foundation: Guiding Exotissimo Travel on the responsible path

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  1. EXO Foundation: Guiding Exotissimo Travel on the responsible path Presentation to Exotissimo

  2. Exotissimo’s previous involvement in charitable actions Milestones • Cyclone Nargis Relief Efforts in 2008 • Biggest charity initiative in Exotissimo’s history • Collected almost 200,000$ of donations In 2011 Exo Travel decision to create a separate foundation to …integrate ethical positioning within the Exotissimo brand … give back to communities … redirect clients’ donations charity is not responsible tourism Why EXO Foundation? Background

  3. Our Mission Using tourism to make destinations better places for people to live in and, for travelers to visit BY • Sharing: Support sustainable human, social and economic development of local communities in the destinations • Advising clients where and how to give • Promote Responsible Travel within Exotissimo: Advise and accompany Exotissimo to become a leading responsible TO

  4. Funding sources • Exotissimo $1 per traveller • Clients’ donations; MICE & individuals • Planned Opt-in option to donate 1$ per pax on invoices to travel agents Cautious project selection, • Purpose of project ; contributing to sustainable development, NGOs, small enterprises • Preference for small, local organizations and projects • Upon provision of a coherent activity & financial reports Priorities for EF funds: • supporting responsible tourism initiatives, and waste management in tourism destinations • support creation of economic activities for disadvantaged people 1. Sharing: donations

  5. Education & Vocational training Fight against human abuse & trafficking Health & Sanitation Environmental Protection Economic Development Cultural Revival & Emergency relief

  6. Advise clients willing to donate time or money direct them towards www.exofoundation.org • List of selected projects per country and, per theme • Paypal donation via website, bank transfer • 100% goes to selected project • Possibility of tax deduction in France How canyouplayyour part?

  7. Exo Travel core value: we aim to be responsible • What is responsible tourism? • Why is it the right time to commit for Exo Travel? • Why you need to promote responsible tourism? • How can you contribute? • How to develop RT? 2. PromoteResponsible Travel within Exotissimo

  8. Making donations is charity, it makes us feel good, it is great…. BUT it is not responsible tourism … it does not prevent any harmful impact and sometimes even create unforeseen negative impacts Whatisresponsibletourism?

  9. SO, Whatisresponsibletourism? Put simply, sustainable tourism creates holidays that are beneficial for local communities, the environment, holidaymakers and, tourism businesses. It is to contribute through tours to a sound and sustainable development of destinations By minimising negative impacts and optimising positive ones. It is not limited to ecotourism or CBT but applies toall forms of tourism. Actually it is even more crucial to apply principles of responsible tourism to mainstream tourism and luxury tourism

  10. SO, What is responsible tourism? • The purpose of responsible tourism is todevelop a virtuous circle, to generate positive impacts & reduce negative ones • Tourism can contribute to human, social, economic and cultural development while being a tool for biodiversity conservation. • It all depends on how tourism is developed, organised, managed and consumed. • The term ‘responsible’ stresses the fact that everyone has a role to play; tourists, TO, guides, transport, accommodation, hosts, governments, and YOU

  11. Responsible tourism is synonymous of quality, authenticity travelers are looking for; it is part of the Exo Touch. • To respond to customers increasing demand for authentic,‘ethical’ and ‘green’ holidays • It brings significant business advantages: savings, brand value, respect • To give you pride to contribute to the local economic & social development of your country & your people, instill meaning into your work: not only to gain money but to do well Why Exotissimo decided to enforce a Responsible Tourism Policy?

  12. Why Sustainable tourism? Tourism can destroy the very assets it is built upon if not developed mindfully • Pollutions: air, sea, water, noise • Prices inflation • Destruction of Natural areas, coasts, mangroves, for construction of hotels • Sex tourism, street kids, commoditisation of culture, ethnic minority exploitation, etc. • Tourists harassment, being sold overpriced items or services or paying 20 to 30% more than normal prices in shops (guides’ commissions)

  13. How to develop RT? It is implemented by acting on four main pillars: • Social: supporting human development • Environmental: minimising negative impacts, avoid pollution & waste (air, litter, paper, water, forest), and protect biodiversity • Cultural: promoting local culture, traditions, crafts, music • Economic: supporting local initiatives, economic development and benefit sharing with local communities

  14. Develop mindful business that contributes to the destinations well being, not for business sake only • Within the offices: Earth Check assessment for office operations in HCMC & PP • Tour design: select responsible suppliers • Sensitising tourists How to become responsible?

  15. Save the earth, save energy, water, natural resources • Turn off / down air con, lights • Limit paper printing to strict minimum • Turn off completely computers, printers, scanners, tvs, etc. • Avoid use of styrofoam, plastic bags Within the office: Earth Check

  16. You have a key role to play, select suppliers and activities contributing to fair and equitable local economic development, conservation of natural and cultural heritage: • Fair wages for the staff, training, sharing benefits • Accommodations with a green and pro-active social policy • Excursionsbenefiting the poor & small local businesses, and contributing to conservation • Promote local culture, fair trade shops • Transports: limit planes,use biofuel, ask drivers stop engines when vehicle is stopped, etc. Design & sell responsible tours

  17. Responsiblesuppliers in Cambodia Who are they? The EXO Foundation is assessing all suppliers and identify responsible ones in Tourplan; accommodation, activities, restaurants, online for Cambodia & Laos, in the making for others This is your responsibility • Production department to select the good suppliers • Sales team to promote these more than others to clients • EF assess financial impacts to evaluate over the years, Exo Travel performance in RT

  18. For example…. Visiting schools, orphanages or children centres are NOT responsible tourism activities. Unicef - Friends campaign What is not responsible?

  19. Schools are meant to learn not to receivetourists • Kids are turnedinto commercial assets, supposed to perform or playnice to raisetouristspity and money • Money donated: wheredoesit go? how isitspent? Whoknows? • EF isworking on alternative options to offer clients asking for it (ready for Cambodia & Laos): • They are many more meaningfulways to help kids • Support selected organisations check www.exofoundation.org Exotissimo is part of ChildSafe Network and as such takes responsibility to block any behaviour that could negatively impact on children How to explainthis to clients? A note available on intranet, see hereEXO Foundation factsheet you can use to explain your clients.

  20. EXO CARES booklet distributed to clients, & posted on website • Exo Foundation facebook page • EXO Foundation website provide tips and selection of projects to support through donations or, suppliers (restaurants, fair Trade shops) 3. Sensitisetourists

  21. You can become actors of change if you care and contribute to your country’s sustainable development, to be even more proud of your work • Natural heritage protection • Local economic development • Kid’s well being and dignity • Cultural valorisation • Offering tourists an authentic experience Conclusions

  22. Resources to help you understand and act! • Exotissimo Travel Responsible Travel Policy: • www.exotissimo.com/images/pdf/ExoResponsibleTravelPolicy.pdf • Explaining tourists about school visits: • www.exotissimo.to/foundation/index_category.php?cate=UsefulInformation • List of responsible suppliersin each country: • www.exotissimo.to/foundation/index_category.php?cate=Factsheets • The links to share with clients: • List of projects for donation: www.exofoundation.org / Facebook page • List of fair trade shops and restaurants: www.exofoundation.org/on-your-travels

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