Travel has an extraordinary capacity to support communities in a multitude of ways, from education, health, entrepreneurship and conservation. From Brazil to southern Africa, well managed eco-tourism models play a vital role in the preservation of precious ecosystems by raising awareness of alternative sources of income to logging, mass farming and poaching. Meanwhile, responsible tourism initiatives can provide meaningful employment opportunities across the globe, providing stable sources of income for communities previously in the depth of poverty.
At Red Savannah we take our responsibilities to the communities in which we operate very seriously. We only work with a rigorously vetted selection of local partners who share our commitment to responsible tourism. Many of those in turn support a variety of local initiatives and grassroots projects designed to make a positive impact in the areas in which they operate. Below are just a few examples of organisations supported both home and abroad. Should you wish to find more about how to make a positive contribution in the country you are choosing to visit, your Destination Specialist can provide you with details for all the partner agencies we support.
PACUARE LODGE, COSTA RICA
This outstanding rainforest hideaway always receives stellar feedback from all the clients we send there, year after year. What is equally impressive, however, is the thriving conservation and community work that the Pacuare has supported behind the scenes since the lodge’s very inception. An awareness of conservation is very much in the DNA of anyone living or working in Costa Rica, so it is no wonder that Pacuare Lodge play an active role, with the purchase of over 800 hectares of primary rainforest previously at risk of being razed to the ground, for example, and the support of a jaguar programme that delivers crucial scientific research on these endangered big cats. Pacuare’s responsible tourism endeavours go far beyond the natural world, however. As well as active recruitment of staff from the local area, the lodge has made significant investment in vital infrastructure for these remote communities, improving access to clean drinking water, general and environmental education, and the promotion of the culture and customs of the indigenous Cabecar community.
SUMBA FOUNDATION, INDONESIA
In Indonesia, we are proud to work with Nihi Sumba, a resort which directly funds the Sumba Foundation, an inspiring organisation that supports Sumbanese communities without compromising their traditions customs and traditions. They operate projects to provide education, health, water access, nutrition and economic sustainability within the island.
CEYLON TEA TRAILS, SRI LANKA
In Sri Lanka, one of our finest accommodation providers is Ceylon Tea Trails, part of the Dilmah tea group. 15% of Ceylon Tea Trails’ pre-tax profits goes to the MJF Charitable Foundation , which supports impoverished communities with the provision of free education, medical services, entrepreneurship and vocational training, and nutrition. Projects include a pottery centre empowering Sri Lankan women in Uda Walawe (while also keeping a local tradition alive), and a rural school close to Ceylon Tea Trails’ Wild Coast Lodge.
GROOTBOS FOUNDATION, SOUTH AFRICA
On a visit to the pristine Grootbos nature reserve on the Overberg coast of South Africa, it is impossible not to be drawn in by the pioneering work of the Grootbos Foundation. In addition to significant conservation work aiming to protect the rich flora and fauna of the Western Cape, the foundation delivers a variety of replicable and scalable projects that actively empower local communities through sports development and education, ecotourism and entrepreneurship.
COFFEE WITH A CONSCIENCE, GUATEMALA
Those visiting Guatemala’s picture-postcard former capital city of Antigua can add new depth to their morning brew with a visit to an extra-special coffee farm on the outskirts of the city. De La Gente is a local charity dedicated to environmentally responsible agriculture as well as the support of small independent coffee producers. On a tour with De La Gente you can work side-by-side with the coffee farmers and meet local families who benefit from the charity’s work. Our local partners in Guatemala also generously support a wealth of other social and environmental initiatives through their longstanding charitable foundation.
COMMUNITY ACTIONS IN CAMBODIA
THE LODGE AT BLUE SKY, USA
Even in some of the most developed countries in the world, tourism providers can make a vital difference to the communities in which they operate. The Lodge at Blue Sky in Utah delivers not only a fabulous luxury ranch experience against a stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains – it is also a place with a strong social conscience. The lodge supports a Voice for Nature programme which offers inner-city children from the local YMCA the opportunity to participate in nature-based experiences designed to educate and engender a love for the natural world. The lodge also provides significant financial support to a not-for-profit health clinic which delivers primary healthcare to the uninsured population of Summit and Wasatch Counties. Back at the lodge, Gracie’s Farm is an entirely female-led regenerative farm which not only serves the on-site restaurant but also provides bundles of healthy fresh produce for the frontline health clinic workers to take home.
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
Closest to home, Red Savannah staff directly support Cheltenham Open Door, a tremendous charity that supports vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community, providing food, clothing, showers, laundry and a warm place to go throughout the day. At their guest hub, those in need can also access medical help, addiction services, counselling and signposting to local housing associations and charities.
