 | We'll Take the Responsibility
| April 8, 2010
| ALA's Approach to Responsible Travel
| 800.575.1540 | Email Us |
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| What is Responsible Travel?
| Responsible travel, eco-tourism, sustainability – terms like these have become ubiquitous in our world of adventure travel, but what exactly do they mean? At Austin-Lehman, our definition of responsible travel begins with simply exposing our guests to the wonders of the world. It’s cupping a Blue Morpho butterfly in your palm on a rainforest trail in CostaRica. It’s befriending a local in the remote Native American village of Supai.It’s visiting a traditional Mayan village in Belize, trekking alongside a herd of elephants on a private game reserve in Africa and learning about wolf-reintroduction in Yellowstone. ALA’s approach to responsible travel is as much about experiencing the extraordinary as it is educating our guests about the history, culture and conservation issues a local community may face. Read on to learn more about our partnerships with Sustainable Travel International and Bicycles for Humanity, and about how traveling with ALA will not only broaden your horizons, but help make the world a better place.
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Leave the World a Better Place
| Sustainable Travel International (STI) is the leading internationally recognized non-profit dedicated to sustainable tourism development. In partnership with STI, Austin-Lehman Adventures is committed to expanding and enhancing its efforts to support environmental conservation, preserve cultural-heritage and contribute to local economic development. STI is dedicated to taking a holistic approach to addressing sustainable development within the travel and tourism industries by providing solutions-oriented programs that generate tangible results and affect long-lasting change. We were able to sit down with Ted Martens, STI's Director of Outreach & Development and ask him a few questions about sustainable travel and how his company is helping. |
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Making a Difference - 2 Wheels at a Time
| Bicycles for Humanity has the simple aim of enabling people to raise funds and collect unwanted bicycles to send to reliable partners in developing countries. B4H operates under the belief that a bicycle can change a life in a poor country. Its mission is to empower people to improve their quality of life by transferring mobility through the use of bicycles. The newest chapter of B4H (B4H Montana) was established in early 2010 by Dan Austin, with the help of Austin-Lehman Adventures. ALA helped with the donation of 120 of our beloved Gary Fisher Hoo-Koo-E-Koo mountain bikes. The goal of B4H is to expand the work of its chapter members, build more sustainable initiatives and programs and to mobilize and empower more of the world’s poorest people. To learn more about this initiative or to make a donation - please visit B4H Montana's website or Become a Fan of B4H Montana on Facebook. |
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| T+L World's Best AwardsIn 2009, ALA was recognized as the #1 Tour Operator in the World by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. To view the press release...click here >>
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In our next issue...
A Day in the Life of ALA |
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| Open vehicles and bush walks get you up-close with Africa's abundant wildlife, including giraffe, zebra, lion, hippo and rhino. |
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| ALA Travelogue FEATURED RECIPE | | There's a reason why our guests rave about our food. Whether served campfire-side or at a 5-star restaurant, our artfully prepared local eats are sinfully delicious! | African Gumbo
Trip: South Africa Family Adventure - Cape Town to Kruger
|  | | Method: | - Trim stems from okra. Heat half of the oil in a large saucepan; Coarsely chop chicken and cook, in batches, stirring until browned. Drain on paper towel.
- Heat remaining oil in pan; Coarsely chop onion and cook with garlic and sambal, stirring until onion is soft.
- Return chicken to pan. Add remaining ingredients; simmer, covered for 30 minutes or until potato is tender.
- Serve over a bed of rice.
| | View all of our Local Bites recipes here! |
| Ingredients:
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| - 11 oz okra | - 2 tbsp peanut oil
| - 28 oz chicken thigh fillets
| - 2 large brown onions
| - 3 garlic cloves, crushed
| | - 2 tsp sambal | - 5 medium tomatoes, chopped
| - 1/4 cup tomato paste
| - 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
| - 1 large potato, chopped
| - 2 cups water
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| The toughest part is going home. |
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