WORLD Expeditions is looking for people passionate about responsible travel to be in its audience for a Q&A in Sydney on Wednesday, March 14.
The event is designed to educate people about the importance of travelling responsibly by stimulating discussion about issues such as why orphanage tourism is a no-go, how to ensure your animals encounters are not harmful to the animals, and how to ensure you're not an unwitting contributor to contaminating our agricultural industry and natural environment.
Panellists will include experts from organisations including 10 Pieces, International Institute for Peace through Tourism, Leave No Trace, Porter Protection, ReThink Orphanages, South Pole Group and World Animal Protection.
Organisers expect topics to include:
Environmental sustainability: Why it's important that travel has an overall positive impact on the environment. How a person's decision to travel carbon neutrally can help move us from being fossil fuel dependent to a world reliant on renewable energy.
Child-safe tourism: Why orphanage tourism is a no-go; the best way to make a sustainable difference to child beggars in holiday destinations; and what role you can play in the war against child trafficking.
Animal friendly tourism: How to ensure your animal encounters are not harmful to the animals; how to identify which "sanctuaries" are truly there for the benefit of the animals in their care; and key tips to spot hidden animal cruelty.
Equity and rights for overseas tourism staff: How to ensure local staff are being looked after and not exploited.
Litter minimisation and management: Tips to ensure you leave a place as you found it; how to minimise your environmental footprint; and how you can join the global movement to keep wilderness trails free of litter.
Travel as a catalyst for peace: How can we spread peace on our travels?
Biosecurity: How to ensure you're not an unwitting contributor to contaminating our agricultural industry and natural environment.
World Expeditions began hosting responsible travel events in 2013 but this is the first year the event has taken a Q&A format. Spaces are strictly limited.