Traidcraft, the UK’s leading fair trade organisation, has been giving people the opportunity to visit fair trade producers for more than 20 years – most recently by running Meet the People Tours, in partnership with Saddle Skedaddle, an independent tour operator.
A brand new tour to Sri Lanka will take place in February 2012, the first time a Meet the People Tour will visit the country – and just in time for Fairtrade Fortnight (27th February – 11th March 2012).
Meet the People Tours (www.traidcraft-tours.com) travel to 13 other countries including Bangladesh, India, South Africa, Nepal, Thailand, Chile, Peru and Vietnam. The tours allow small groups of tourists to visit Traidcraft producers, Traidcraft Exchange charitable projects and provide an opportunity to learn how producers’ lives have been changed by fair trade, gaining a unique insight into the fair trade system.
These tours link ethical consumers directly with the producers whose products they know and love. The producers, too value these visits as an opportunity to share their work and to learn more about the people who buy their products.
As well as visiting fair trade producers, the tours are operated on fair trade terms. More than 60% of the cost of the holiday is re-invested into the local economy and a contribution equivalent to a minimum of 4% goes to the producers and projects visited. People travelling on the tours can also donate to Traidcraft’s Environmental Project Fund, which is designed to minimise the environmental impact of their activities, as well as help producers improve their sustainability.
Nicky Robinson, Head of Development, Non-Food, at Traidcraft, says: "Traidcraft’s Meet the People Tours represent a wonderful opportunity to meet the people behind fair trade products whilst visiting some amazing destinations. At the same time, tourists can rest assured that, as they are travelling on a fair trade holiday, they are making a positive contribution to producers and the local economy."
Margaret Dransfield (pictured above in Vietnam) has been on several Meet the People Tours. She says: "What an amazing holiday - the more we talk to friends and family about our experiences, the more we realise what a wonderful privilege it was to meet with some extraordinary people who are being empowered by fair trade."
Sri Lanka
14th February-29th February 2012
Price (land only): £1475 (Includes all accommodation in hotels and guesthouses, 60% of meals, three road transfers, three producer visits, a visit to a development project, six tourist visits and three wildlife visits).
This tour combines visits to craft producers (such as Gospel House, pictured right) and tea farmers, with a first-hand insight into the ancient history, culture and people of Sri Lanka. Gospel House has been supplying Traidcraft since 1980. It provides employment for small family businesses, and its wood workshop provides employment for disadvantaged young people. Following the 2004
tsunami, Gospel House now works in several affected communities.
Bangladesh
11th March-25th March 2012
Price (land only): £1425 (Includes all accommodation in hotels and guesthouses, 70% of meals, three road transfers, seven producer visits, two visits to development projects, four tourist visits and one boat trip).
Bangladesh has been a priority of Traidcraft since it started in 1979, and this tour takes us to producer groups who featured in the first ever catalogue. It is a beautiful country of friendly people, fertile farmland, winding waterways and a fascinating architectural heritage. As well as sampling the tastes, sights and sounds that distinguish Bangladeshi culture you will have an opportunity to
meet the producers behind fair trade in Bangladesh and visit development projects that address the problems caused by war and flooding. You are unlikely to find a tour that visits so many different fair trade organisations and gives you the opportunity to learn and enjoy so much.
-ENDS-
For more information on Traidcraft and Meet the People tours, case studies, or to arrange an interview with Nicky Robinson, please contact Victoria Lamb on 0191 4976418 or on victorial@traidcraft.co.uk.
Notes to editors
• Traidcraft’s Meet the People Tours are managed by Saddle Skedaddle (www.skedaddle.co.uk), a Newcastle-based, independent tour organiser.
