ethicalweddings.com

We didn’t cover honeymoons in our Fairtrade Fortnight Challenge in 2007 but enthusiasm for travel that gives something back shows no signs of waning so we thought we’d look into it for 2013.

Photo from Kerala Connections – read more about the company below

Have you spotted the Fairtrade mark while leafing through honeymoon brochures? No? Well, it might not be long. Jennifer Seif of Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) says:

“We hope that the model developed in the South will provide the basis for a future international Fairtrade mark for tourism [...] High volumes of consumers in Europe as well as North America know and trust the Fairtrade mark and expanding its scope to tourism will enable us to talk to travelers about sustainability in a language they understand and are loyal to.” Read the full interview on TravelMole here

With or without the blue and green mark, there are many holidays that already operate along fair trade principles.

Justin Francis, Founder and Managing Director of responsibletravel.com drew comparisons between community-based tourism and fair trade fashion after chatting to Safia Minney, founder and CEO of the leading fair trade fashion label, People Tree:

“Fair trade doesn’t just mean paying a fair price. It is an entirely different way of doing business, where the objective is not profit at any cost, but to help people in the world’s most marginalised communities escape poverty and promote sustainability by minimising environmental impact and maximising income.

“Both responsibletravel.com and People Tree respect the skills and traditions that already exist within the community, rather than imposing a different routine to meet a Western need. This supports livelihoods within the community with minimum disruption to their way of life.” (Read the full article: Community based tourism and fair trade fashion)

Here we’re giving you a taster with 4 fair trade holidays that could make heavenly honeymoons.

1. Traidcraft Meet the People Tours

Who’s been doing fair trade since 1979? Traidcraft. So who better to go to for your fair trade honeymoon? Their Meet the People Tours “…allow small groups of people to experience life in local communities.

“It is not mass tourism. We undertake tours on fair trade terms to leave those we visit better off and more empowered than before.”

There are lots of countries to choose from but I’m picking the Costa Rica and Nicaragua tour as we honeymooned in Costa Rica in 2005 and had a fantastic time.

Highlights of the tour include:

• a visit to Costa Rica’s spectacular cloud forest, waterfalls and volcanic mountains
• visit groups producing fair trade sugar and pineapples
• in Nicaragua, spend time relaxing on the Pacific coast
• see the history and culture of Managua and Granada
• visit San Ramon to see the coffee farmers and be surrounded by birds and butterflies

2. Kuoni Ananea fair trade driving holiday through South Africa

In 2011, UK tour operator, Kuoni launched this fair trade holiday through the Garden Route and Winelands of South Africa.

Throughout you’ll be staying at wonderful Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) country houses, hotels and lodges. Kuoni says:

“All components of Kuoni’s ananea package tour to South Africa, from Kuoni UK and Private Safaris (our ground handling agents in South Africa) through to the accommodation providers and the contractual relationships in the value chain have been audited against Fair Trade Tourism standards and certified by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA).”

3. Tribes Travel – Mozambique

Tribes Travel Mozambique holidays

The original Fair Trade Travel company can put an itinerary together to suit you and your partner. Mozambique is still a little off the beaten track and offers wonderful wildlife and a stunning coast line.

Tribes say, “[Mozambique] is an increasingly popular choice for people wanting a luxury beach holiday or a remote specialist safari in an unusual destination, and happily, it seems to be becoming a focus for ecotourism and fair trade principles as regards tourism. We can tailor make any Mozambique holiday or honeymoon to your requirements, many of the lodges are small and locally run.”

Guludo Beach Lodge

One of the options is a stay at the luxurious Guludo Beach Lodge which has won numerous awards for its respect of and contribution to the local community and environment.

4. Kerala Connections

Formed in 1998, Kerala Connections was the first UK tour operator to specialise in the area. Their tailormade holidays mean that, like Tribes Travel, they can create a bespoke honeymoon that matches your imagination.

The company has had a Fair Trade Policy since they were formed in 1998. This includes paying their drivers a monthly wage (usual practice is to pay them commission only) and booking hotels on a bed and breakfast basis to give customers the chance to support local cafes and restaurants for other meals.

They say: “The small state of Kerala, which represents just 1% of the land mass, is considered to be one of India’s most beautiful. It is a very rural state with most of the population living in villages and is culturally and scenically diverse. Kerala has two national parks, ten wildlife sanctuaries and two bird sanctuaries.”

For more ideas on making your honeymoon fair, take a look at The Guardian’s Top 10 Fair Trade Holidays article from 2008.

Happy travelling!

Katie

Related posts:

Day 1: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Gift Lists

Day 2: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Favours

Day 3: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Decorating your venue

Day 4: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Stationery

Day 5: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Accessories

Day 6: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Time out

Day 7: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Drinks

Day 8: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Sight & Sound

What next?

• Sign up to our Ethical Weddings newsletter
• Follow us on Twitter @ethicalweddings
• Join us on Facebook