Jamaica highlights tour

Planet

An important part of our business is our commitment to environmentally responsible practices in all of the locations that we visit. In Jamaica this is no different, and our local Tour Leaders will encourage customers to use their own water bottles (which we advise customers to take), advising them where to fill them up in each destination. This guide will also have training in upholding our policy of Leaving no Trace – this is particularly important in areas like the Blue Mountains and Cockpit Country, which are rich in wildlife and potentially fragile. We brief all customers on sticking to designated trails and following local conservation regulations.

We strive for low group numbers in all destinations, and in Jamaica the maximum group size is 16 people, which allows us to use a small vehicle for traveling around the island rather than a large tour bus. Where possible, we always do our city tours on foot instead of by bus - this not only prevents excess pollution within the city but is also a key way for you to discover more of the hidden backstreets that make foreign travel so fun and interesting.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

Jamaica has a reputation for being a haven for all-inclusive beach resort vacations, where people stay in the hotel complex, occasionally doing organised day-trips to close-by locations. Our Jamaica vacation intends to give you the opportunity to discover the 'real' Jamaica by staying in small, locally owned accommodation, eating in local restaurants and shopping in one-off shops.

We stay with the Maroon community in western Jamaica, where often the villagers, the last of their community, travel more and more into the cities to seek work. By offering sustainable tourism opportunities they are ensuring that the Maroon legacy can continue - we're keen to support them by staying in their homes and learning about their way of life.

In addition, in Treasure Beach you have the chance to do a cooking class with a local chef, and also undertake a craft workshop with the Treasure Beach Women's Group, where your money goes into helping promote awareness of women's health and women's issues within the surrounding area.

Throughout the trip we'll use a local Tour Leader who really knows the best places to shop and eat, ensuring that money stays within the local community. Using local guides and crew is consistent with our policy to generate local employment and deliver direct economic benefits to the areas we are traveling in. It is important that the people who work for us are treated fairly and confident in their work. This is why we take care to train all our local tour leaders and give them all the support they need to do their job well.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.