Socially Responsible Travel
Socially, Running Wild Tours and all of its guests are encouraged to remain vigilant of our social impacts.
Running Wild Tours is committed to delivering on the goals the UN recognizes as the Sustainable Development Goals. This goes across our Initiatives. We highlight it here.
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Our target goal is to support at least six local businesses on every expedition. We define this as an independently owned and operated business that employs residents and maintains a significant portion of its revenue to support its local community and economy.
We work with guides who live and work within the community in which they guide.
Running Wild Tours defines a local business as an independently owned enterprise that is based within the destination country, employs local residents, and retains a meaningful portion of its revenue within the local economy. Preference is given to businesses that demonstrate local ownership, local employment, and active contributions to their surrounding communities.
We aim to direct at least 75% of our in-destination operational spending toward qualifying local businesses, guides, accommodations, transportation providers, and community enterprises.
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Running Wild Tours recognizes education as a critical component of conservation. We are committed to supporting environmental awareness through interpretation, storytelling, and the sharing of scientific and local ecological knowledge.
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At Running Wild Tours, we believe that nature belongs to all who seek it. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming experience for people of all backgrounds to connect with wildlife, conservation, the natural world, and its diverse peoples and cultures. We have found that through diverse perspectives we can develop our connections, enrich experiences for everyone to share well into the future.
Our Ethical Photography Statement:
We realize that photography can tell diverse stories, but photography can just as easily omit the complexity and full picture. While we always welcome a great photograph, it should never come at the expense of a person or place’s dignity, privacy, or cultural identity. All photography should abide by standards for respect and ethics.
A respectful photo should:
SHOULD NOT be intrusive or exploitative
SHOULD NOT reinforce stereotypical imagery or prefitted narratives to misrepresent communities, skills, history, or places.
SHOULD support authentic representation and abide by the idea that people are not attractions and do not exist for visitor entertainment – cultural experiences must be approached with mutual learning and respect.
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Our annual target is to work with 100% FGASA-accredited guides and their partner lodges.
