Departing Calgary
	Puerto Vallarta 4	$597.00
	Cancun 4	$685.00
	Cancun 4	$735.00

	Hotel Rating
	Online Savings
	Dream Team Special
Prices do not include taxes, insurance, or our service fee. Prices apply to online bookings only and not via Calgary Co-op Travel retail locations.

It pays to travel with us.
Taking off with Calgary Co-op Travel will boost your annual patronage return. (Your Co-op Membership is your passport to these benefits -- and more. It's yours for just $1 at any Calgary Co-op customer service desk.)

What is "Responsible Tourism?"

An adventure travel column by Joyce Hill
Travel Manager, Macleod Trail

Calgary Co-op Travel is a strong supporter of responsible tourism. Since many people aren't quite sure what that involves, this article will outline the concept, and provide details on one of the many responsible tourism trips that are available.

While it's true that small groups leave fewer footprints, when it comes to responsible tourism, size isn't the only thing that matters. Responsible tourism also means touring with environmentally sensitive operators, and supporting local economies and cultures every step of the way.

Calgary Co-op Travel's partner Trek Holidays, a leader in responsible tourism, gives travelers clear guidelines on things like social customs and waste and litter disposal, dealing with begging, preserving artifacts, and buying products that improve economies without exploiting wildlife.

In addition to using local suppliers, Trek Holidays also funds community projects such as the SOS Children's Villages in Peru. They are also committed to global initiatives such as the World Wildlife Fund.

While all tours benefit the local cultures and environment for the reasons mentioned above, some tours allow for hands on involvement. 'Clean Up The World' is an initiative where specific itineraries spend a day picking up litter left on such sites as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, or the campsites of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Established in 1972, Trek Holidays is now Canada's largest wholesale adventure travel company. They offer an amazing spectrum of responsible tourism packages, from ultra rugged to super comfortable. Trek Holidays works with dozens of tour companies, including Explore Worldwide, The Imaginative Traveler, Peregrine Adventures, Gecko's Adventure, Karibu Safaris, African Horizons, and many others.

Trek Holidays also works closely with travel consultants. They host a well-respected Certified Travel Adventure Specialists training program, which many Calgary Co-op Travel consultants have completed. And they offer us an abundance of information to share with clients.

Whether you choose a short camping holiday or a luxurious expedition, Trek Holidays and Calgary Co-op Travel will make sure you're prepared to make the most of your adventure - with minimal impact on the environment, and optimal benefits to the community you're visiting. The Mayan Highlights tour outlined below is just one of many exciting responsible tourism opportunities on our itinerary. Get all the details from your Calgary Co-op Travel consultant or contact me at 299-4383.