Best practice social practices for accommodations

Working with local people benefits the community but is also an advantage for guest who can learn about the people and place they are visiting. It's also a good way for your business to bring benefits to the community within which it is placed and create work for local people and share the advantages of responsible tourism.

Hire local staff – and not just for menial jobs
Example: We are dedicated to the social well being of the local community. To this end we employ a Community Development Officer who assists with any village negotiations and translations - Tanzania safari lodge, Saadani Park

Offer fair employment – salary, maternity leave, sick pay, holiday pay, etc
Example: All staff have paid holidays and many are sponsored to undertake training courses. We have set up a Staff Welfare Fund - Gambia hotel in Fajara, Gambia

Use local people for guides
Example: Local guides are used on village trips to enhance the experience and provide an income to the hosts - Kenya beach house accommodation

Contribute to the community – text books for local schools, community computer lab, establishing a local library
Example: The local government, NGOs, etc have the use of the satellite internet service in our office; the only available internet for 100 miles - Hinunangan Bay beach hotel, Philippines

Use local skills; traditional, artisan – set up workshops so these skills can be taught to others. Encourage guests to buy from local places and people.
Example: We have taught the local people cane weaving and pottery, the results of which are all used in our lodge - Kanha jungle lodge, India

Work in partnership with the local community

kids near Ecuador eco lodge accommodation

Example: We've provided an interest-free loan to a neighbor enabling him to start a horseback riding business and we've established a tourist transportation cooperative with local vehicle owners - Ecuador eco lodge accommodation

Set up a cooperative so that local people own the business too
Example: Local people of Vamos have formed a co-operative called Vamos S.A. which was founded to promote eco-tourism and to restore and rebuild the village - Cottages in Western Crete, Arosmari

Educate the community about the need for conservation and the benefits of preserving the local habitat. Encourage guests to visit local communities and get involved
Example: Environmental training programs have been developed with all our stakeholders, namely our staff (through on the job training), our guests (through room files), the local government and community (by out reach) - Komodo Dragon ecolodge in Flores

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