In South Africa, an estimated 30,000 children under the age of 18 are said to be victims of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Even more shocking is that many of these victims are children between the ages of 10 and 14 years old. Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), South Africa’s leading responsible tourism NGO, is now challenging citizens to become involved and assume their role as protectors of our children, forming part of their initiative where key players in the travel and sector are stepping up and taking a stance against Child Sex Tourism (CST).

1. Be Flexible: Are you prepared to accept cultures and practices that are different from your own? 2. Give Feedback: Let responsible companies know that you like what they are doing. 3. Go Green By Biking: Biking is a healthy, enjoyable and eco-friendly way to get around and to experience the places you’re visiting. 4. Travel Slowly: Instead of hurriedly moving from one place to another, try slowing down during your next trip by kayaking, walking, biking and getting around by public transportation like the locals do.

Launched in September 2010, the one-of-a-kind “chai-table book” Authentic Ecolodges is the result of many years of dedicated research by the world-renowned ecolodge guru and sustainable architecture and design expert, Hitesh Mehta. Having traveled through 46 countries in six continents, he hopes that Authentic Ecolodges will create environmental and social awareness around the world, and inspire everyone to enjoy the world and save it for our children at the same time!

1. Be a Proactive Shark Supporter: Be informed about shark products. Be aware of products made from shark meat, fins, cartilage and squalene, which are often cleverly hidden ingredients of these products. 2. Help Clean Up Beaches Near You: participate in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, a worldwide volunteer event that engages the public to remove trash and debris from beaches and waterways. 3. Learn about Voluntourism: Considering voluntour-ing & wondering how? Learn from the pros!

If you are considering joining a volunteer program in South Africa, then you are likely the kind of person who wants to make a positive contribution, be it to conservation or to a community in need. However, before deciding which project you want to join, there are a few things that you may want to consider. Does the project have a genuine need for volunteers? The whole idea of volunteering is for you to make a real and significant contribution to a cause through your specialist skills, or simply through your hard work and enthusiasm!

Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Awards is an annual award that aims to recognize tourism businesses – from small community based projects to large resorts – that are making significant contributions to sustainable tourism. By sharing best practices of sustainable tourism seen among operators in Asia, the annual awards demonstrate how responsible tourism can be an effective tourism strategy that’s good for communities, the environment and businesses.

Pack for a Purpose™ is a newly founded non-profit organization dedicated to providing needed educational materials and medical supplies to children around the world. The organization was founded on the principal that every little bit helps, and all it takes to get involved is to use a small amount space in your luggage for supplies when packing for a trip abroad. The concept is simple, and getting involved is easy.

Daniela Ruby Papi, PEPY Tours – Our goal is that people who join us on a trip will be inspired to live, travel and give differently after their trip to Cambodia. We aim to expose travelers to the people and ideas that are having the most impact on the issues we are looking to effect change in: education, the environment, and health. We focus less on service and more on learning, and like to look at our trips as edu-ventures: educational adventures which allow travelers to support projects, programs, and people we believe in.

Danielle Weiss, Planeterra Foundation – My first volunteer experience was a two-month solo trip to the Middle East when I was 19 where I divided my time between volunteering on a kibbutz and travelling throughout Israel and Egypt. This first experience enabled me to make lasting friendships with local people, gain an in-depth knowledge of their daily life, and build the confidence to know that I could travel alone as a single woman.

Wild Asia is looking to hear from accommodation operators from across Asia (big or small, privately run or community driven). The awards, now in its fourth year is one of the only Responsible Tourism awards driven by Asians, and aims to support the creation of sustainable destinations in Asia. All entries are screened by Wild Asia’s team using a self-assessment checklist (aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria) and all finalists are visited by a team of fact-finders.