Responsible Tourism Policy

1. Keep value local

• Prioritize qualified Ethiopian guides, drivers, accommodations, restaurants, artisans and community-based providers where practical.
• Agree services and compensation clearly and pay suppliers fairly and on time.
• Encourage travellers to buy directly from local makers and use respectful, proportionate bargaining.
• Avoid promising that every payment reaches a community directly; explain the supply chain honestly.

2. Culture, dignity and consent

• Brief travellers on local customs, dress, greetings and appropriate behaviour before sensitive visits.
• Ask permission before photographing or recording people, ceremonies, homes or livelihoods, and respect a refusal without pressure.
• Do not stage, sensationalize or market people as attractions, and never encourage intrusive contact with children or vulnerable people.
• Work with local hosts and guides to determine when a visit is welcome and how it should be conducted.

3. Sacred and historic places

• Follow site rules on dress, footwear, access, photography, fasting periods and worship.
• Keep religious practice ahead of sightseeing and avoid obstructing ceremonies or private prayer.
• Do not touch, climb, remove or purchase unlawfully sourced cultural or archaeological material.
• Use knowledgeable local guides who can explain context without reducing living traditions to spectacle.

4. Nature and wildlife

• Stay on authorized routes, follow park guidance and keep a safe, non-disruptive distance from wildlife.
• Never feed, handle, bait or chase wildlife for a photograph.
• Reduce single-use items where services permit, carry waste out and use water and energy carefully.
• Choose group sizes, vehicles and camps appropriate to the location and avoid unnecessary off-road driving.

5. Children and vulnerable people

We do not arrange orphanage visits or activities that turn hardship into entertainment. Travellers should not give money, sweets or gifts directly to children; our team can suggest accountable local initiatives or community-led channels. Any safeguarding concern should be reported immediately to the guide or our Addis Ababa office.

6. Animal welfare

We avoid activities that rely on cruelty, unsafe handling or poor living conditions. Where working animals form part of local transport, our team should consider loading, rest, equipment, water and visible health. A traveller may decline an activity if welfare conditions are not acceptable.

7. Honest environmental action

We work to reduce avoidable waste and unnecessary resource use, but do not describe a journey as impact-free. We will not claim carbon neutrality or conservation benefit without a credible method and evidence. When conditions require a trade-off between convenience and protection of a place, safety and stewardship guide our recommendation.

8. What we ask of travellers

• Listen to local guides and ask before taking photographs, entering private spaces or sharing identifiable images online.
• Use refillable bottles and bags where safe and practical, and leave natural and cultural objects where they belong.
• Choose respectful language and avoid promises, gifts or donations that have not been discussed with local hosts or guides.
• Tell us promptly if you see conduct that conflicts with this policy so it can be addressed.

9. Accountability and improvement

Responsible practice depends on local feedback and changing conditions. We review supplier and traveller feedback, address concerns with the people involved and update routes or relationships where needed. Questions or reports may be sent to info@ethioafrotours.com.