 | |  | | : Fair trade tourism | 
 | | | Fair Trade In Our Lodges | |
| | | | Here are examples of how our fair trade principles are used in our business (as identified by the UN WTO, 2004):
: Employment
We employ 50+ local people from Guludo village and other surrounding villages. We pride ourselves in training and advancement of our staff as well in our encouraging of other lodges in the area to employ locally as well.
: Supplying goods and services locally
We procure nearly everything needed in the day-to-day running of our lodge from a 5 km radius; often at higher cost than in if bought in the city. Supporting and encouraging local entrepreneurship (with it’s powerful multiplying effect in the region) is central to our ethos. This has been carried through from design of the lodge to operation with construction using local skills and materials, all furniture and furnishings produces by local artisans on site and even uniforms made with locally bought fabric by a local tailor.
: Direct sales of goods and services to visitors by local people
We strongly encourage enterprise development and the direct sale of local goods to our guests. Several groups have been set up in the local area, including two palm weaving, a ceramic and bamboo weaving by our charity, Nema and many more are planned for the future. These groups sell directly to guests and us. Guests are encouraged to buy goods from these groups and shops to encourage further trade when visiting the local village. Nema is currently in the process of funding a local craft centre with a central shop to promote sales and create an area to work.
: Establishment and running of tourism enterprises by the local community
We are constantly developing existing and new activities with community members for our guest to partake in. The lodge has been supporting a community group in creating a “lookout” where elephants are often seen. Almost all the lodge’s guests visit this lookout, each time a fee goes directly to the group. In addition, a couple of traditional dance groups have been established which regularly visit the lodge. A small group of women have created a “beauty on the beach” group, giving our guests traditional face masks, hair treatment as well as teaching guests how to make pots.
: Taxes or levies on tourism revenues or profits
5% of all lodge revenues go directly into our Nema charity. Many of our guests also contribute philanthropically.
: Voluntary giving of resources
Both our guests and our company give money, goods (including pencils, clothing, books, etc.), and time to the local community. We also supply vehicles, fuel, and lodge resources.
: Investment in infrastructure which provides livelihood benefits to the local community
Our Nema charity is currently involved water point rehabilitation project repairing (and sometime digging new) 26 water points. Nema is currently building two new primary schools and hopes to build a secondary school next year. Furthermore, we work with the local community to address their needs including the investment in a new craft centre and shop.
: Monitoring our Progress & Impact
We monitor our progress through a comprehensive checklist of environmental, social, and economic checklist of actions which we feel exceeds most industry standards. Our checklist sets baselines and targets for improving every year. | | | | |
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