Guatemala vacation, Tikal and beyond

The Impacts of this Trip

In Guatemala we use local ground handlers - this means that all the operational costs go directly into the local economy and helps to improve employment opportunities in remote regions. By incorporating homestays, locally owned hotels, family run restaurants and the services of guides and drivers into our itineraries, we ensure that money you spend on your trip goes directly into the local economy and local communities benefit from tourism.

We recognise the importance of supporting and engaging with the smaller local communities. For example on day 7 of the tour we visit the Ixil people in Nejab, whose language and culture are very much untainted by the influences of the outside world. This tranquil setting, the friendly nature of the people and the intriguing history of the region make this a memorable and insightful experience.

In order to facilitate an enduring support structure for the communities we visit, and to show a commitment to these values, in January 2009 we set up a charitable foundation through which we can directly channel funds to both existing NGOs and our own development projects. In addition to organising ethically sensitive tours, having our own charitable foundation allows us to raise money – through the cost of our tours, charity trips and fund raising events – which can then be used to fund various projects in education, sanitation, reforestations and a number of other important issues facing developing communities.