RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

When we are personally sourcing or hand-choosing new partners we have a really relaxed and grassroots strategy. The key to this is to make friends. How do I do that? Well, that's the secret ingredient!

Time is money and nobody seems to have any. It takes a little longer than you think but to drop in on a new business to have an informal chat is a brilliant way to test the water. You meet them for who they are, in their comfort zone and if you're lucky you can take natural photos and get a feel for the ambience.

We have stayed on Vanuatu and Barbados for four weeks to do research for you, Sri Lanka for six weeks and Fiji for more than 210 weeks so we know what we are talking about!

In Fiji we work with:
• 7 villages
• 2 accredited eco lodges
• More than 20 traditional village homes stays in four different villages
• 3 locally run lodges
• 1 five star eco resort
• 2 local restaurants
• 8 local drivers
• 6 local guides
• 2 surf teachers
• We buy Fair Trade products from two village but will be adding many more in 2016

In Vanuatu we work with:
• 1 village
• 2 eco lodges
• We buy Fair Trade products from two village but will be adding many more in 2016

In Sri Lanka We work with:
• 3 homestays
• 1 locally run villa
• 3 local restaurants
• 1 local driver
• 1 local guide
• 3 surf teachers
• We don’t yet buy Fair Trade products from Sri Lanka but will be expanding in 2016

In Barbados we work with:
• 3 homestays
• 3 local restaurants
• 1 local driver
• 1 local guide
• 3 surf teachers

• 10% of proceeds go back into one of three local environmental and community based projects of your choice.
• Every decision we make we prioritise the environment, small local businesses and the culture values of the island.
• Our bottom line is not the dollar sign. Enhancing quality of life through community based projects with sensitivity to local values and tradition is much more rewarding.
• We aim to give inspiring and fulfilling experiences through connecting guests with nature and engaging with local communities.
• We work alongside our partner organisations, local and international experts to support local businesses and communities in marine awareness, sustainable development initiatives and resource management for the good of island ecosystems and the future generations.
• We believe we can help conserve the local environment and provide a steady income for local tourism businesses while inspiring visitors to make a positive difference throughout their lives by introducing them to volunteering in the rich island culture.

We don’t own a resort, a car or pay to do media advertising. We go local.

From remote, island camping to yoga, kayaking and hiking adventures with local guides and surfing with stand up paddle boarding and even forest survival, all our trips cater for the open-minded and eco-conscious, independent traveller.

A unique combination of local island knowledge, passion for sustainable travel, and unparalleled island experience provides the foundation for a unique journey.

We are here to help you organise your very own tailor-made, authentic island experience giving you a chance to truly get into the island spirit of one of our four extraordinary destinations.

There is no such thing as a typical escape with us – that isn’t what we are here for. We will enable you to combine your passions whether they be adventure activities, short-term volunteering, cultural immersion, or sustainability projects and responsible travel. We can design your journey to incorporate everything to suit your individual desires and needs.

We give every single one of our travellers the chance to be involved in their own journey more. We believe that the more you give, the more you get rings true! We work closely alongside local villages (in Fiji we work with eight), businesses and guides because we believe responsible tourism is a long term strategy to increase quality of life for both the islanders, the natural environment and resultantly us the travellers!

10% of proceeds go towards our hand chosen, local community projects where they need the help most. These projects benefit the larger community. So there is a direct incentive to both keep the environment healthy and uplift the community. The most important thing is that the people living with wildlife are getting direct benefits from that wildlife.
As a small organisation, with a founder who spreads her time between the destinations, we are able to engage with local communities far more than most travel organisations. This makes the overall benefit to communities and individuals greater as they are a fundamental part of who we are as an organisation.

Our Aim

We aim to give inspiring and fulfilling experiences through connecting guests with nature and engaging with local communities.

10% of the cost of each trip goes back to the community and environmental initiatives.

Island experiences designed to give you the chance to give back a little while on holiday in paradise.

Our Mission

To work alongside our partner organisations, local and international experts to support local businesses and communities in marine awareness, sustainable development initiatives and resource management for the good of island ecosystems and the future generations of Fiji.

Our Goals

To work alongside Fijian communities to share eco tourism skills and carry out sustainable, environmental and community based projects with sensitivity to local values and tradition.

Our goal is also to provide a unique, high quality and authentic experience suitable for a range of eco-conscious individuals.

We believe we can help conserve the local environment and provide a steady income for local tourism businesses while inspiring visitors to make a positive difference throughout their lives by introducing them to volunteering in these rich island cultures.

We are one of a long list of World Fair Trade Organizations throughout the globe. We joined to ensure you of our commitment to Fair Trade practices and commitment to the WFTO principles.

WFTO prescribes 10 Principles that Fair Trade Organizations must follow in their day-to- day work and carries out monitoring to ensure these principles are upheld:

Principle One: Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers

Poverty reduction through trade forms a key part of the organization’s aims. The organization supports marginalized small producers, whether these are independent family businesses, or grouped in associations or co-operatives. It seeks to enable them to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership. The organization has a plan of action to carry this out.

Principle Two: Transparency and Accountability

The organization is transparent in its management and commercial relations. It is accountable to all its stakeholders and respects the sensitivity and confidentiality of commercial information supplied. The organization finds appropriate, participatory ways to involve employees, members and producers in its decision-making processes. It ensures that relevant information is provided to all its trading partners. The communication channels are good and open at all levels of the supply chain.

Principle Three: Fair Trading Practices

The organization trades with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and does not maximize profit at their expense. It is responsible and professional in meeting its commitments in a timely manner.

Suppliers respect contracts and deliver products on time and to the desired quality and specifications.

Fair Trade buyers, recognizing the financial disadvantages producers and suppliers face, ensure orders are paid on receipt of documents and according to the attached guidelines. For Handicraft FT products, an interest free pre-payment of at least 50 % is made on request. For Food FT products, pre-payment of at least 50% at a reasonable interest is made if requested. Interest rates that the suppliers pay must not be higher than the buyers’ cost of borrowing from third parties. Charging interest is not required.

Where southern Fair Trade suppliers receive a pre payment from buyers, they ensure that this payment is passed on to the producers or farmers who make or grow their Fair Trade products.

Buyers consult with suppliers before canceling or rejecting orders. Where orders are cancelled through no fault of producers or suppliers, adequate compensation is guaranteed for work already done. Suppliers and producers consult with buyers if there is a problem with delivery, and ensure compensation is provided when delivered quantities and qualities do not match those invoiced.

The organization maintains long term relationships based on solidarity, trust and mutual respect that contribute to the promotion and growth of Fair Trade. It maintains effective communication with its trading partners. Parties involved in a trading relationship seek to increase the volume of the trade between them and the value and diversity of their

product offer as a means of growing Fair Trade for the producers in order to increase their incomes. The organization works cooperatively with the other Fair Trade Organizations in country and avoids unfair competition. It avoids duplicating the designs of patterns of other organizations without permission.

Fair Trade recognizes, promotes and protects the cultural identity and traditional skills of small producers as reflected in their craft designs, food products and other related services.

Principle Four: Payment of a Fair Price

A fair price is one that has been mutually agreed by all through dialogue and participation, which provides fair pay to the producers and can also be sustained by the market. Where Fair Trade pricing structures exist, these are used as a minimum. Fair pay means provision of socially acceptable remuneration (in the local context) considered by producers themselves to be fair and which takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fair Trade marketing and importing organizations support capacity building as required to producers, to enable them to set a fair price.

Principle Five: Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labor

The organization adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and national / local law on the employment of children. The organization ensures that there is no forced labor in its workforce and / or members or homeworkers.

Organizations who buy Fair Trade products from producer groups either directly or through intermediaries ensure that no forced labor is used in production and the producer complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and national / local law on the employment of children. Any involvement of children in the production of Fair Trade products (including learning a traditional art or craft) is always disclosed and monitored and does not adversely affect the children’s well-being,security, educational requirements and need for play.

Principle Six: Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s

Economic Empowerment and Freedom of Association

The organization does not discriminate in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, HIV/Aids status or age.

The organization has a clear policy and plan to promote gender equality that ensures that women as well as men have the ability to gain access to the resources that they need to be productive and also the ability to influence the wider policy, regulatory, and institutional environment that shapes their livelihoods and lives. Organizational constitutions and by-laws allow for and enable women to become active members of the organization in their own right (where it is a membership based organization), and to take up leadership positions in the governance structure regardless of women’s status in relation to ownership of assets such as land and property. Where women are employed within the organization, even where it is an informal employment situation, they receive equal pay for equal work. The organization recognizes women’s full employment rights and is committed to ensuring that women receive their full statutory employment benefits. The organization takes into account the special health and safety needs of pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers.

The organization respects the right of all employees to form and join trade unions of their choice and to bargain collectively. Where the right to join trade unions and bargain collectively are restricted by law and/or political environment, the organization will enable means of independent and free association and bargaining for employees. The organization ensures that representatives of employees are not subject to discrimination in the workplace.

Principle Seven: Ensuring Good Working Conditions

The organization provides a safe and healthy working environment for employees and / or members. It complies, at a minimum, with national and local laws and ILO conventions on health and safety.

Working hours and conditions for employees and / or members (and any homeworkers) comply with conditions established by national and local laws and ILO conventions.

Fair Trade Organizations are aware of the health and safety conditions in the producer groups they buy from. They seek, on an ongoing basis, to raise awareness of health and safety issues and improve health and safety practices in producer groups.

Principle Eight: Providing Capacity Building

The organization seeks to increase positive developmental impacts for small, marginalized producers through Fair Trade.

The organization develops the skills and capabilities of its own employees or members.

Organizations working directly with small producers develop specific activities to help these producers improve their management skills, production capabilities and access to markets – local / regional / international / Fair Trade and mainstream as appropriate.

Organizations which buy Fair Trade products through Fair Trade intermediaries in the South assist these organizations to develop their capacity to support the marginalized producer groups that they work with.

Principle Nine: Promoting Fair Trade

The organization raises awareness of the aim of Fair Trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade through Fair Trade. It advocates for the objectives and activities of Fair Trade according to the scope of the organization. The organization provides its customers with information about itself, the products it markets, and the producer organizations or members that make or harvest the products. Honest advertising and marketing techniques are always used.

Principle Ten: Respect for the Environment

Organizations which produce Fair Trade products maximize the use of raw materials from sustainably managed sources in their ranges, buying locally when possible. They use production technologies that seek to reduce energy consumption and where possible use renewable energy technologies that minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

They seek to minimize the impact of their waste stream on the environment. Fair Trade agricultural commodity producers minimize their environmental impacts, by using organic or low pesticide use production methods wherever possible.

Buyers and importers of Fair Trade products give priority to buying products made from raw materials that originate from sustainably managed sources, and have the least overall impact on the environment.

All organizations use recycled or easily biodegradable materials for packing to the extent possible, and goods are dispatched by sea wherever possible.

Kirsty Barnby, originally from the UK, lives for most of the year in Fiji where she built Island Spirit to be the globally renowned multi-destination responsible travel organisation it is today.

She did this by making local friends and finding trusted colleagues – something she has replicated in Vanuatu, Barbados, and Sri Lanka. She believes wholeheartedly that it is possible to run a business which benefits local communities, as well as guests and employees – and that is what she has done.

She says:
“Call it what you want, a virtuous circle, eco-tourism, a bottom up approach to sustainable business, or simply responsible tourism – it doesn’t matter. What does matter is how it is done, through earth care and people care, and that is what I have dedicated myself to.”

Kirsty has extensive knowledge in the charity communications arena both in Fiji and the UK. She started her time in Fiji volunteering with Partners in Community Development, Fiji (PCDF) for nine months where her time was spent developing the Annual Report, newsletter, PR, communications, training, and the website. This gave her a valuable understanding of development issues and what environmental and community challenges lie at the grassroots level. From there a mixture of continuous work and opportunities lead her to start Island Spirit.

Kirsty started Island Spirit based on a few simple principles: mutual benefit for both the people and visitors in the form of conservation, economics, education, life experience and enjoyment. This is an ethos she has now taken to Vanuatu, Barbados, and Sri Lanka and is a value system that lead Island Spirit to be the first World Fair Trade Organisation to trade in the Pacific Isles.
Kirsty says:
“The great thing about Island Spirit is that it fulfils both community initiatives and conservation objectives. People are generating direct economic benefits a number of initiatives Island Spirit support, which changes individual livelihoods through jobs and income. There is a direct incentive to both keep the environment healthy. The most important thing is that the people living with wildlife are getting direct benefits from that wildlife.”

Child Protection Policy

Effective Date: December 2013
Level / Class: Organisational
Authorisation: Director, Kirsty Barnby

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for managing and reducing risks of child abuse by persons engaged in international cooperation activities under the auspices of Island Spirit.

Island Spirit aims to create an open and aware environment where concerns for the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person can be raised in a compassionate and just manner.

Under this policy, Island Spirit is further enhancing its approach to child protection through risk assessment and risk management procedures for development activities, clear procedures for raising concerns about child abuse, and training Island Spirit personnel on child protection matters.

Scope and persons affected

This policy applies to all Island Spirit personnel, defined as including Island Spirit program participants (i.e. guests), Island Spirit staff, Island Spirit board members and associates, Island Spirit service providers and contractors, and Island Spirit office volunteers and interns.

Principles

1. a) Island Spirit is committed to the protection of all children from all forms of harm. The safety and wellbeing of the children involved in Island Spirit supported programs and the promotion of the safety and wellbeing of all children is of paramount concern.
2. b) The Policy is based on the principle of empowering children and young people through meaningful participation, having children and young people involved in decision making, listening to children and young people and giving them a voice. Through empowerment, children and young people are more likely to speak up when they have a concern for their safety or wellbeing.
3. c) Island Spirit supports the rights and welfare of all Island Spirit personnel and encourages their active participation in creating safe and respectful workplaces whilst on assignment or during travel overseas. Island Spirit owes a moral and legal duty of care to do everything reasonably possible to ensure Island Spirit personnel placed to work with children and young people are safe and suitable, have an appropriate depth of awareness of child protection issues, and that child safe practices are implemented through adequate and appropriate Policy and Procedures.
4. d) Island Spirit personnel are expected to operate in accordance with relevant local laws.
5. e) child protection awareness training is conducted by Island Spirit for all staff, volunteers etc.
6. f) Island Spirit will conduct a risk assessment relating to child protection risks and take steps to mitigate any serious risks identified.
7. g) in the recruiting process for staff referees are checked and police checks are obtained.
8. h) Island Spirit will review the CPP on a quarterly basis.
9. i) any person who represents a risk to children will not be allowed to work with children within the organisation.

Definitions

Island Spirit Codes of Conduct

Island Spirit Staff Code of Conduct – see Island Spirit Policy Manual

Child and young person

In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Island Spirit defines a child or young person as any person below the age of 18 years, regardless of local laws or other definitions.

Child Abuse

• Child abuse includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect or sexual abuse.
  Both boys and girls can be the victims of abuse, and abuse can be inflicted on a child by men, women and children.
• Physical abuse occurs when a person purposefully injures, or threatens to injure, a child or young person. This may take the form of slapping, punching, shaking, kicking, burning, shoving or grabbing.
• Emotional or psychological abuse occurs when a child is repeatedly rejected and/or intimidated through verbal and non-verbal means. This may involve insults, taunts, threats and ridicule, or continual coldness from parent or caregiver to the extent that it affects the child‟s physical and emotional growth.
• Neglect is the persistent failure or the deliberate denial to provide the child with clean water, food, shelter, sanitation or supervision or care to the extent that the child‟s health and development are placed at risk.
• Child sexual abuse occurs when an adult, more powerful child or adolescent uses his or her power to involve a child in sexual activity. That coercive power can be physical, verbal or emotional.

Child Protection

An activity or initiative designed to protect children from any form of harm, particularly arising from child abuse or neglect.

Child-Sex Tourism

ECPAT International defines child-sex tourism as:

‘…the commercial sexual exploitation of children by men or women who travel from one place to another, usually from a richer country to one that is less developed, and there engage in sexual acts with children, defined as anyone aged under 18 years of age.’ (ECPAT International, 2006)

Particularly vulnerable children

Child abuse takes place not only within the family environment but also outside the family such as in institutions, at work, on the streets, in war zones and emergencies. Children in emergencies are especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. In an emergency or crisis situation children are extremely vulnerable when they become part of a displaced or traumatised population.

Island Spirit also acknowledges the increased vulnerability of children with disabilities and the limitations that sometimes exist in terms of being able to indicate or disclose abuse.

Unless otherwise stated, all definitions are from Child Wise, Choose With Care®, 2006.

Roles and Responsibilities

Island Spirit views child protection as a shared responsibility. To effectively manage risks to children, Island Spirit requires the active support and cooperation of all Island Spirit personnel. Island Spirit also encourages awareness of child protection issues among our partner organisations.

Island Spirit endeavours wherever possible to reduce the risk of inappropriate behaviour by Island Spirit personnel. Accordingly, Island Spirit will exercise its right to dismiss or withdraw Island Spirit personnel when it considers that the person poses an unacceptable risk to the safety or well-being of children. If deemed appropriate, Island Spirit may suspend personnel or transfer them to other duties as a temporary measure while an investigation is conducted.

Island Spirit personnel will:

1. conduct themselves in a manner consistent with their position as a positive role model to children and as a representative of Island Spirit
2. listen to children, take their concerns seriously, and allow them to have a say in the decisions that affect them
3. be visible when working with children, e.g. avoid being alone with children and, wherever possible, ensure that another adult is present when working in the proximity of children
4. treat children with dignity and respect (i.e. how they want to be treated; as appropriate to personal development needs) regardless of ethnicity, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status
5. use any computers, mobile phones, or video and digital cameras appropriately, and never to exploit or harass children or to access child pornography through any medium
6. refrain from disciplining children (excluding their own children), or the physical punishment of children
7. refrain from hiring children for domestic or other labour, which is inappropriate given their age or developmental stage, which interferes with their time available for education and recreational activities, or which places them at significant risk of injury
8. comply with all relevant local legislation, including labour laws in relation to child labour

Ensure that touching will only be:

• in response to the need of the child
• with the child‟s permission or, where appropriate, the permission of the parent or guardian (except in an emergency situation)
• in an open and non-secretive manner and environment that avoids the breasts, buttocks and groin.

• immediately report concerns or allegations of child abuse in accordance with the AVI Complaints Management Procedures.

Island Spirit personnel will not:

1. use language or behaviour towards children that is inappropriate, harassing, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate
2. engage children in any form of sexual activity or acts, including paying for sexual services or acts, where the child is below the age of consent or the act(s) are an offence under relevant laws
3. behave physically in a manner that is inappropriate or sexually provocative towards a child
4. invite unaccompanied children into the home, unless they are at immediate risk of injury or in physical danger
5. take children into the home or sleep close to unsupervised children unless absolutely necessary, in which case a supervisor‟s permission is obtained and another adult is present
6. do things of a personal nature that a child can do for him/herself, such as assistance with toileting or changing clothes
7. hit or physically assault children
8. develop sexual relationships with children or relationships with children that can in any way be deemed exploitative or abusive
9. act in ways that may be abusive or place a child at risk of abuse.
10. condone or participate in behaviour of children which is illegal, unsafe or abusive.
11. act in a way that favours particular children to the exclusion of others
12. photograph or video a child without the consent of the child and his/her parents or guardians.
13. hold, kiss, cuddle or touch a child in an inappropriate, unnecessary or culturally insensitive way.

Island Spirit child protection advocates:

The Island Spirit Executive is responsible for providing support and guidance to other Island Spirit personnel regarding child protection or child abuse issues, and as a point of contact in relation to the Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Procedures Manual.

The Executive’s role involves:

• answering questions concerning this Policy or the Procedures Manual
• responsibility for the implementation and review of the Policy and Procedures
• receiving feedback on the Policy
• providing support and guidance to AVI personnel impacted by child abuse

Reporting procedures:

Observations of child abuse

While working overseas, Island Spirit personnel may observe incidents where children or young people are abused or harmed by their parents, carers or in an institutional setting such as a school, orphanage or hospital. Immediately reporting instances of abuse or maltreatment to local authorities may not always be in the best interests of the children involved. Many countries do not have the resources, agencies or support services available to effectively handle these types of situations.

In the first instance, Island Spirit personnel should follow the reporting procedures laid out in the Child Protection Procedures Manual. Island Spirit management will provide support and guidance to Island Spirit personnel in relation to any concern for the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person. Concerns identified by „third parties‟ involving Island Spirit personnel should be directed to the Island Spirit Executive at kirsty@island-spirit.org.

Island Spirit personnel should be reassured that there will be no action taken against those who report, in good faith, information indicating a breach of the Island Spirit Child Protection Policy or Codes of Conduct or any behaviour or action of Island Spirit personnel that may be harmful to a child.

However, if Island Spirit personnel knowingly and wilfully report false or malicious information regarding other Island Spirit personnel, such false reports will lead to disciplinary action.

Concerns that must be reported include:

• a reasonable belief or observation that a practice or behaviour of an Island Spirit staff member or program participant may be harmful to a child.
• disclosure by a child that he or she is being harmed, or fears being harmed, by Island Spirit personnel breaches of Island Spirit Codes of Conduct or inappropriate behaviour by Island Spirit personnel
• concerns expressed by an agency, NGO, INGO or government partner about the behaviour of Island Spirit personnel
• suspicious behaviour of a person in regard to the sexual exploitation or trafficking of children
• images, SPAM, pop ups or emails received on a computer which involve child pornography or the exploitation of children

Confidentiality

Island Spirit will ensure that any concern raised is handled according to the principles of confidentiality, safety, impartiality, thoroughness, timeliness and accuracy.

All complaints and reports, and the names of people involved, will be handled in the strictest of confidence. Details will only be released on a “need to know” basis, or when required by relevant local law, or when a notification to police or child protection authorities has been made. Please also refer to the Island Spirit Privacy Policy.

References

• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
• www .unicef.org/crc
• AusAID Child Protection Policy, March 2008
• http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pdf/child_protection.pdf
• ACFID Code of Conduct
• http://www .acfid.asn.au/code-of-conduct

Though we can’t change the ever-fast and rapidly growing influence of modern and western lifestyles, we can however, save and take precautions in conserving tradition and culture with education that will see the young men and women preserve what could be a lost or forgotten culture and delicate environment.

Our impact

Our overall environmental impact is slow but done thoroughly and with care:

• We specialise in applied conservation, we get things done by taking direction from experts.
• We provide a flow of tourism to mainly areas which are off the beaten track and therefore play an important role in boosting the local economy by increasing income generation.
• We raise awareness of environmental conservation both locally with the communities we work with and internationally with the guests who come on the holidays.

Cyclone Winston Hit Fiji on 20th February, 2016.

We raised money to buy emergency food supplies, seeds, medical and solar lanterns for the remotest villages on these islands after Cyclone Winston which hit on 20th February, 2016.

Reefs were also damaged which have given more need for coral gardening alongside the terrible coral bleaching epidemic we are experiencing world wide.

Cyclone Tomas

In March 2010, Cyclone Tomas devastated the two smaller Northern island of Taveuni. Measured at category four, winds reached 170 kmph and waves reached 7.2 metres high – it was the most intense tropical cyclone to hit Fiji since Cyclone Bebe in 1972.

Cyclone Tomas severely damaged the foreshore reef along most of the North West of Taveuni and Vanua Levu, and tragically re-growth of the destroyed reef is barely evident. Loss appears to be about 70%-90%, compared with the elaborate marine structures and aquatic life which used to thrive along these stretches between 1988 – 1995.

Coral is both plant and animal (zooxanthellae and polyp). They live together in the little holes you can see when you pick up dead coral on the beach.

Each hole is surrounded by a skeleton, like a house, which eventually forms the coral structures we see in the ocean. They both live in harmony, (known as a symbiotic relationship) the polyp lives off the zooxanthellae which itself feeds on microscopic food in the water.

The zooxanthellae however needs oxygen and light so it is incredibly important that the water is clear, clean and shallow – which is why coral is so sensitive to pollution.

As the polyp community flourishes, animals develop relationships with one another and such a place can feature a huge variety of ocean life. Although corals feed nocturnally on plankton, sunlight is vital because even though they are animals, each contains millions of single-celled algae.

In 2014 and 2000, a mass coral mortality occurred due to temperature related bleaching. Since then, coral cover has increased, but much more slowly in the Fishing Grounds than the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Algae cover is higher in the fishing grounds than MPAs, retarding new coral growth by limiting availability of substrate.

You can learn about coral gardening, one of our applied conservation techniques here.

We are committed to balancing the impact of our business’s carbon emissions and that is why we are carbon offsetting our business emissions including our flights via high quality internationally recognised carbon offsetting methods.

During our trips you will plant mangroves and/or hardwood trees on the outer islands of Fiji. However, if you feel you could do more to offset your carbon footprint you can do so here.

All our staff offset their flight carbon footprint by buying credit to plant trees in the South West of the UK.

An example of carbon offsetting:

A flight from the UK to Fiji via South Korea uses 3 metric tonnes of CO2 which can be offset by:

£22.00 towards Clean Energy Portfolio. Your funding supports VCS verified carbon reduction projects around the world which reduce carbon emissions through the displacement of fossil fuels through clean / renewable energy generation.

£27.00 for reforestation in Kenya. Your pledge funds the planting of native broad leaved trees in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya. For each tCO2 one tree is planted and an additional tCO2 is offset through a VCS verified project to guarantee the emission reductions.

£36.00 for UK Tree Planting. Your pledge funds the planting of trees in the UK region of your choice. Supporting wildlife habitats whilst offsetting your carbon emissions. For each tCO2 offset, one tree is planted in the UK and an additional tCO2 is offset through a VCS verified project to guarantee the emission reductions.

£35.33 for Certified Emission Reduction. Your funding supports Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects that have generated CER credits. These projects are fully verified to Kyoto / United Nations standards. CDM projects support sustainable development in developing countries through projects such as Wind Energy, Hydro Power and Biomass.

At present Fiji, Barbados and Sri Lanka don’t have a regulatory body to ensure resorts are 100% ‘eco’. This means anyone can put this small work at the beginning of their resort name and not take any action towards becoming responsible. However, We at Island Spirit work with eco resorts that we feel are progressing towards being 100% eco or self sustainable.

We look for:

• Organic food and products.
• Solar elecricity.
• Conservation efforts.
• Minimizing impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Providing positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Providing direct financial benefits for conservation.
• Providing financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
• Raising sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate.

More information on Vanuatu’s Accreditation Program 

The key focus of the program is to highlight the need to set and enforce minimum standards throughout the tourism sector.

As of August 2015, The next part of this development exercise is to develop Vanuatu’s own tourism rating system, a sustainable/eco tourism system develop to encourage the sustainability aspect of the approach to ensure that the social, environment and economical aspect of the activities are considered.

Why village homestays?

We offer optional home stays because they are a great experience, it’s simple. We mean great experience not only for you, the guest, but for the villagers as well.

We have been really careful to make sure everyone benefits equally and all involved have fond memories and positive stories to tell.

We are very close to the communities we work with and would love to talk to you about how we choose our villages, how the money gets distributed and any other questions you may have.

That’s what the kava bowl is for, telling stories and explaining to you what life is about on the islands and of course how Island Spirit works.

Staying in one of our partner villages

You will be welcomed as a visitor but soon feel a part of the village for the hospitality is genuine and so warm. We hope you will have great fun, it is very easy going. Before arriving we will personally tell you all about the rules and cultural values of village life so you feel comfortable.

You have a chance to watch a traditional make (dance), drink kava with the village, play volleyball and help with everyday life if you want! We have chosen to incorporate home stays into our itineraries as they provide mush needed income generation for the village women.

There are a few traditions that we would like our guests to respect while in the village.

How do we choose our villages?

Each house chooses another to supply the cooking so as many families benefit from the initiative as possible. They are paid a competitive rate based on local youth hostel room prices.

Small groups ensure a more fulfilling experience for both the villages and the guests in terms of cultural immersion and bonding. We are more than aware of the extremely different cultures coming together and take it upon ourselves to train and give ongoing advice to our small groups.

*On occasion a larger school ‘aid’ trip takes place and our partners are given plenty of notice to accommodate them.

We know that ecotourism done well can be a powerful tool to support initiatives promoting equatable benefits for local communities and to help strengthen island peoples’ voices in the global tourism industry, fostering their knowledge and heritage through responsible practices.

TIES is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ecotourism. Founded in 1990, TIES has been in the forefront of the development of ecotourism, providing guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, research and publications. TIES’ global network of ecotourism professionals and travelers is leading the efforts to make tourism a viable tool for conservation, protection of bio-cultural diversity, and sustainable community development.