What is Responsible Tourism (Eco-Tourism/Sustainable Tourism)?

Below we have, hopefully, covered all the questions you might have regarding "responsible tourism". Responsible tourism is also known as Eco-Tourism or sustainable tourism. Below we have listed a number of ways in which you can become involved.

1.Conservation

The purpose of a conservation area is to maintain the indigenous flora and fauna of a protected area and allow species to exist and thrive without human interference. Visitors should make a positive impact on the area.

2.Sustainability

A species requires a balance that ensures availability as well as preservation for the future. The balance needs to protect future populations and the long term prospects of the local community.

3.Community Involvement

A very important part of eco tourism.  Is tourism helping the area?  Tourism should benefit the local people and culture, and can be used as a tool to alleviate poverty.

Guests visiting an area should leave having learned about the environment and the culture.  Local people should be educated in techniques that help preserve their own environment and further their education.

ReefCI’s Policy

ReefCI are a marine conservation company focusing on protecting and maintaining the marine environment.  Working with local NGO’s and Government departments, we help to ensure that marine life is sustainable and available for future generations.

We are dedicated to ensuring that our impact is always positive and never damaging.

ReefCI's Sustainability Policy

ReefCI have a policy ensuring that we are focused on species affected by long term human impacts that have a value to local people.  We work with international and local organisations to help sustain the coral reefs and commercial species in Belize. Such species include conch, lobster and commercial finfish.

ReefCI's Social Policy

We aim to benefit the local community. It is important to ReefCI to help sustain a healthy environment where both people and nature can thrive.

To aid this process, we educate and train our staff, customers, stake holders and suppliers to:

• Understand and respect local cultures and customs
• Get involved with local communities
• Buy locally and support local business.

ReefCI run continuous community development programs for young people who have little or no opportunities in life. The programs include training to professional PADI Dive Master qualification and Marine Biology internships. ReefCI also sponsor a local football team.

ReefCI's environmental policy

ReefCI are a marine conservation company with a primary focus on protecting the marine environment. To promote this, we encourage:

• Buying locally.
• Use of rainwater as a primary water source
• Use of refillable bottles for drinking water
• Careful disposal of litter
• Minimising waste
• Discouraging activities that damage the environment such marine animal souvenirs and artefacts.
• Use of website and emails to reduce paper wastage.
• Use of bicycles for staff and guests

ReefCI’s economic policy

ReefCI both directly and indirectly contribute to the local economies. Our guests contribute just by visiting a non tourist area. They spend money in local bars, shops, restaurants and taxis. The majority of the fee paid by our customers is spent in-country and we always work with locally owned businesses where possible. The majority of our employees are nationals from the host country.