Green Hospitality !

 

The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. While the potential for tourism development is enormous, Bhutan has chosen to ignore the global pace, placing happiness of the people before outright material gain. A policy epitomized by “High Value Low Volume” tourism, which is sustainable and sensitive to the preservation of its heritage in a rapidly changing world. As a result, Bhutan enjoys an image of authenticity, remoteness and well-protected cultural heritage and natural environment which accords with the premises of Gross National Happiness, Bhutan’s development philosophy. 

Boonserm Tours & Travels strive to become a Green company following the best practices of sustainable tourism in Bhutan. Taking deep interest to achieve the company’s goal of becoming a sustainable tour operator, the Managing Director, Mr. Tashi Namgay has undergone training on Eco-tourism utilizing local natural resources at Chiba Nature School, Japan and later went for further trainings in the Netherlands to learn the best practices of sustainable Tourism at Maastricht School of Management.

The company currently works on the following sustainable practices;

 

• Minimize carbon footprint in our office by using energy efficient bulbs, reduce/reuse papers etc
  
  
• Promote Home stay/Home visit in order to spread the economic benefits of tourism into the rural areas and to enhance the Bhutan experience for the discerning travelers. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and host families.
  
  
• Promote community based eco-tourism trekking at Nabji Korphu. The Nabji Trail supports the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park in their efforts to conserve nature by creating more awareness on natural and environmental issues, through tourism awareness programs and by introducing socio-economic benefits out of tourism. Please visit http://www.welcome2bhutan.com/trekkings/nabji_korphu.html
  
  
• We encourage our clients to join us in our sustainable practices through;
  
  
• Buying local products and handicrafts
• Eating in local restaurants & farm houses.
• Refrain from buying animal products and antique
• Bringing stationeries and pencils as gifts to remote schools
• Briefing the clients on local culture, environmental issues
  
  
• We support Choki Traditional Art School, a charity school which provides traditional arts and crafts education to poor and disadvantaged youths from different regions of Bhutan. The graduate students are able to put their skills to use to earn good livings back in their home villages. For more information about the school, please visit www.chokischool.com  
  
  

We realize that the scope of sustainable tourism is very large and there is a big room for improvement. Therefore, we request all our clients and readers to kindly pass your valuable comments and suggestions so that we can improve in our sustainable practices.

 

On Wednesday, 9th November 2011, Mr Tashi Namgay will be participating in the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day at World Travel Market, Excel London - an international day of action dedicated to help protect the world. [CLICK HERE]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The WTM World Responsible Tourism Day’s latest four-minute film, focusing on the core themes of responsible tourism: sustainability and bio diversity, poverty reduction, lack of water and climate change.