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Global
tourism and travel has certainly
evolved
in the past decade!
Changes in
security,
safety, health, and the environment have greatly
impacted our travel choices. On the other hand, we
now have new options that seek to help small
communities develop economically,
and that allow visitors to better understand the
culture and realities of those
places.
A growing group of consumers want their travel to
be less invasive, so responsible tourism, including
emerging fair-trade tourism and anti-poverty
tourism, is changing the face of travel.
Modern
travelers are growing increasingly aware of the
effects
of ecotourism—some of which
have
negatively
impacted
both local cultures and the environment
as a whole.
Responsible tourism calls attention to the fact
that most
tourism simply is not responsible:
locals
are exploited;
natural
or cultural resources are treated with disrespect.
Treating
others with the same respect we would ask for in our
own communities is the basis of responsible travel.
While the tourism industry has long touted "exotic
destinations",
we are, in fact,
entering someone else's home. Responsible travel
and ecotourism are two of the cornerstones of local,
regional, national, and international sustainable
development. Travelers play a pivotal role, whether
we are independent or part of a group tour.
As
we rethink and re-imagine tourism, we are redefining
the traditional guest-host relationship as an
activity that motivates new eco-friendly,
people-friendly action.
Ottoman
Hotel Imperial strongly believes in responsible
tourism,
and has promoted it right from the start. We aim
to minimize the
negative environmental impacts of the travel
business, and make positive contributions to the
conservation of biodiversity, and natural and human
heritage. We also believe in tourism that respects
culture and traditions,
and fosters greater understanding between travelers
and hosts.
Responsible tourism encompasses much more than "eco-tourism"
- it is about adopting responsible environmental,
social and economic practices that will bring real
benefits to the community in which the individual
hotels operate. Ottoman Hotel Imperial’s properties
meet the needs of visitors and the destination,
while minimising the negative effects of tourism by
protecting and enhancing opportunities for the
future. All in all, caring envoirenment is about
making better places to live and visit, while at the
same time providing enriching and rewarding
experiences for guests who stay at Ottoman Hotel
Imperial.
We
know and believe that hotels can help maximise the
positive effects of tourism, such as creating jobs
and benefiting small businesses, enhancing guests'
awareness of local culture and traditions and
identifying ways to conserve and protect areas.
Ottoman
Hotel Imperial is keen to support and promote the
local community, encourage visitors to stay in the
area, but most importantly, protect the area. We
have been recycling and reducing waste for some time
now, but it is just recently that we have made
guests aware of the Responsible Tourism Scheme we
are actively involved with. This scheme recognises
that the hotel has taken significant steps to reduce
the operational impact on the environment and local
community, which includes; energy and water
conservation, encouraging the use of public
transport and reduction in waste generation by
recycling and reusing.
As well
as operating responsibly, Ottoman Hotel Imperial
supports a variety of charitable projects in Turkey.
Below are just a few examples of projects Ottoman
Hotel Imperial currently supports in conjunction
with different foundations:
TEMA
Supporting reforestation, carbon sequestration and
biodiversity protection projects in areas subject to
erosion in Turkey, in order to regain the green
cover, wild life, and ecological balance. Ottoman
Hotel Imperial supports Tema, “the
Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for
Reforestation and the Protection of Natural
Habitats”. The foundation has planted 2.2
million saplings over an area of 2.350 hectares
under 25 different reforestation projects through
the sponsorship of individuals and companies,
including Ottoman Hotel Imperial. Please click to
learn more about the activities of Tema :
http://english.tema.org.tr
LOSEV
Sponsoring Losev, “the Foundation for Children with
Leukemia”, in providing educational and emotional
support, financial assistance, and health services
for the children in Turkey who have Leukemia or
other chronic blood disorders, to help them cope
with the illnesses
that threaten their lives.
Through Losev, our mission is to give education at
an
international level about acquired and inherited
blood diseases, to set up and operate research
institutions. Please click to learn more about
Losev :
http://www.losev.org.tr/english
For more information about our responsible travel
policies and the travelers tips to see what you can
do, please check out & download the below links :
Ottoman Hotel Imperial Responsible Tourism Scheme
Responsible Travel Handbook |