5 Tips for Social Enterprises to Be Ethical Tourism Stakeholders
Photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash
Social enterprises are businesses with a special social objective. The goal of social enterprises – to maximise social, cultural and environmental impacts while making a profit – makes them key agents of sustainability and resilience.
If you are a social enterprise business (or you want to become one) and you are lost on where to start, below are some green tips to help you become an ethical tourism stakeholder – compiled by Ecomadic.
Support the Local Community
© (Yucatec Maya Museum) U Kuuchil Uucben Mayaya Ba'alo'ob
Decide on a Community Development Project to champion.
Hire local staff and practice fair employment policies.
Ensure human rights are not violated in the production of products.
2. Protect Local Culture & Heritage
© Kanan Miatsil (Guardians of Culture)
Acquire/produce unique products that represent the respective country's identity.
3. Source Ethically
Photo by Javier Rejon on Unsplash
Recognise and purchase from other local producers, suppliers, local artisans, and/or distributors with fair, circular standards.
4. Minimise In-House Impact
Photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash
Practice water conservation.
Implement green energy practices.
Limit unnecessary packaging (i.e. buy bulk, limit single-use items).
Use all-natural supplies (i.e. dyes).
Reduce international imports.
5. Conserve the Natural Environment
© Ella Békési, Heritage Education Network Belize
Ensure products sold do not contribute to human, plant, and/or animal endangerment.
Written by Ecomadic.
Ecomadic is a platform that connects sustainably-minded travelers with responsible businesses & experiences. As a sustainable travel brand, we are on the mission to empower travelers to make more impactful decisions by supporting small & local eco-accommodations, socially responsible eateries, social enterprise shops, and ethical experiences that have environmental and social missions in place. This way, through travel, we can collaboratively protect the environment, uplift the surrounding communities, and keep money within local economies; showcasing that tourism dollars can make an impact whether you’re adventuring off-the-grid, in your own backyard & everywhere in between!
Learn more about our commaboration with Ecomadic here.