Our Commitment to Ethical Travel
Green Light Ventures was founded out of a strong desire to create expeditions that are truly ethical and sustainable. Since we first set up GLV with these values at our core, we’ve been on a journey of learning and self-discovery. Constantly challenging and evolving what we understand as “truly ethical” and “sustainable,” we continue to refine our ventures to reflect these standards. There’s so much we could share about this journey, and our founders are always happy to discuss it or learn from others' experiences and insights.
Below are some of the commitments we uphold to ensure our ventures are conducted as ethically and sustainably as possible.
Creating Purposeful, Respectful Expeditions
We approach each venture as an opportunity not only for adventure and cultural immersion but also for fostering a respectful exchange of ideas and ethics. Our expeditions are designed to inspire positive change, both within the communities we visit and within each traveller. We aim for every experience to offer new perspectives and opportunities for learning.
Respecting Community Needs and Privacy
We are committed to promoting the communities we visit in a respectful and positive light. This includes:
Never sharing images or videos of individuals, particularly children, on social media or our website without their permission.
Educating our participants to share their experiences on social media responsibly and with sensitivity.
Actively sharing positive narratives about the communities we engage with, avoiding negative portrayals.
Fostering Genuine Cultural Connections
Our goal is to facilitate meaningful connections between our participants and the communities they visit, allowing these relationships to feel natural and grounded in respect. We encourage interactions that make community members feel relatable and appreciated, rather than feeling like spectacles or tourist attractions. We base these interactions on our personal connection with the communities and their desire to have visitors stay and connect with them, rather than just pass through onto the way to the next attraction.
Collaborating with Local Organisations for Practical Support
Any community support or volunteering we undertake is always carried out in partnership with long-established local charities or organisations. These partners, including Green Stand, the African Wildlife Trust, the Livingstone Tanzania Trust, and the Karimu Foundation. We collaborate closely to ensure our efforts support the community’s needs and align with their long-term goals.
Supporting Local Communities in Every Aspect of Our Operations
We are dedicated to creating a positive impact in all areas of our ventures by:
Employing local community members as staff and guides wherever possible.
Sourcing services and products from a diverse network of local businesses, without compromising health and safety.
Providing training and growth opportunities to our local team, as we do for our staff in the UK.
Ensuring that any community projects from our partners are selected based on the desires and needs of the local community, rather than on what we, or they, believe would be enjoyable or attractive for our participants. We educate our participants to ensure that they understand the importance of this.
Providing Guidance and Education for Ethical and Sustainable Travel
Our comprehensive pre-departure training provides participants with all necessary information on safety, ethical practices, and respectful cultural engagement. Through our handbook and pre-expedition training sessions, we ensure that every participant is fully prepared to engage responsibly and safely.
We support our participants in making ethical travel choices by providing a variety of resources:
Pre-departure Support Packs and Welcome Packs that offer guidelines on responsible travel practices in-country.
Recommendations for an ethical kit list, suggesting items to bring and products to avoid, so to minimise environmental impact.
Working with our third-party providers, such as accommodations, to promote ethical and sustainable practices.
Avoiding Direct Involvement with Vulnerable Populations
We do not directly engage in ventures involving the care of Tanzanian children or animals, as we recognise that specialised expertise is needed. However, some of our projects may indirectly benefit these populations—such as habitat restoration that benefits wildlife or renovating school buildings. In every case, we prioritise safety and ethical standards, ensuring that no harm can come to children or animals in our care.
Transparency with Donations and Charitable Contributions
We do not solicit donations for our ventures. In instances where a partner organisation requires a donation to participate, we direct all contributions to the partner rather than processing them ourselves. Our partners are all registered charities regulated by their relevant oversight bodies (e.g., the Charity Commission).
Accessible Impact Reporting from Partners
Our charity partners produce regular impact reports, accessible to the general public, detailing the results of their projects. Clients are welcome to request the latest reports directly or via the GLV team to see the direct effects of the organisation.
Safety and Preparation for Community Projects
When participants engage in practical project work, we follow strict safety protocols:
We provide comprehensive information about the tasks participants will carry out and supply any required PPE and equipment.
In construction projects, participants work alongside trained local tradesmen and are never required to work at heights or with power tools. Detailed safety briefings are conducted before any work begins.
We guide participants to manage expectations, emphasising that the needs of the local community always come before personal enjoyment or fulfilment.
Commitment to the Environment, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Green Light Ventures, our approach to ethical travel is supported by a firm commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, diversity, and inclusion. Our Sustainability and Environmental Commitments, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, and Anti-Racism Statement guide our ventures and interactions, ensuring that respect for the natural world and for all individuals is embedded in everything we do. These statements and policies are publicly available on our website to highlight our commitment to transparency and openness to feedback and development. Our leadership team is always available to discuss our ongoing commitment to these principles and how they shape our expeditions.
Our Approach to Ethical Travel: A Two-Way Street
At GLV, we believe ethical travel is a two-way street. We are committed to creating ventures that change perspectives and encourage learning from the communities we visit. By fostering mutual respect and deeper cultural understanding, we aim to make each expedition an opportunity for growth for both our participants and the people they meet along the way.
