Purchasing souvenirs while traveling is typically a prime component of a trip, and if tourists wish to make the most responsible and ethical purchases, there are fair trade options available both domestically and abroad.  On my recent trip to Cambodia this past summer, I personally supported a fair trade retailer.  While touring Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I visited a market which included a shop established by a nonprofit organization called Rehab Craft Cambodia.  This organization trains and hires disabled Cambodians as artisans, and also provides these individuals with business training.  Since I traveled to Cambodia with an organization called Discovering Deaf Worlds to support the local Deaf community, visiting this retailer was not only an opportunity to interact with Deaf artisans at this shop, but also enabled our tour group to support fair trade as tourists.  In addition to selling products in these local Cambodian shops and markets, Rehab Craft Cambodia sells their items through a fair trade, nonprofit company based in the United States called Ten Thousand Villages.  

Upon returning to the United States following my trip to Cambodia, I visited a Ten Thousand Villages store after realizing their association to Rehab Craft Cambodia.  The store offered a wide range of products, and the price tag on every item in the store was labeled with the country in which it was made.  As I browsed throughout the store, there were several products made in Cambodia, which elicited my memories and first-hand experience at the Cambodian shop.  Although I had previously recognized the significance of supporting fair trade, having the ability to associate specific individuals and faces as beneficiaries from these fair trade purchases created a deeper appreciation and desire to support fair trade.  Therefore, I realized the significance of purchasing souvenirs from fair trade stores and vendors internationally, and purchasing cultural items from Ten Thousand Villages stores in the United States.

Ten Thousand Villages purchases items from artisans associated with Rehab Craft Cambodia, as well as from organizations and artisans in thirty-seven other countries in Asia, Africa, Latin American, and the Middle East.  This fair trade company offers unique handmade items, such as jewelry and decor, by creating a network of “buying relationships in places where skilled artisan partners lack opportunities for stable income” (Ten Thousand Villages).  The company, which was originally founded in 1946 and operated out of the founder’s trunk, has since grown to become “one of the world’s largest fair trade organizations” with three hundred and eighty stores and vendors across the United States (Ten Thousand Villages).  As a nonprofit company, they are dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of underprivileged individuals in developing countries through their fair trade principles “to meet the ‘triple bottom line‘ of economic, environmental and social sustainability” (Ten Thousand Villages).  Due to their commitment to fulfill the cornerstones of fair trade, Ten Thousand Villages has been recognized as “a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)” (Ten Thousand Villages).     

The following details how Ten Thousand Villages satisfies the five cornerstones of fair trade.

• Fair Working Conditions:Ten Thousand Villages provides fair working conditions, in part by hiring local underemployed and unemployed individuals.  By doing so, these individuals have the opportunity to earn fair income to improve their livelihood by selling hand-made products as artisans.  As will be discussed in the proceeding section on fair prices, all artisans are compensated fairly for their work and materials, which contributes to their ethical working conditions.  In addition, Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit organization; therefore any revenue or excess profits received will be maintained within the company “to increase purchases from artisans and to finance the growth of Ten Thousand Villages retail network” (Ten Thousand Villages).  This means that Ten Thousand Villages does not make a personal profit, but rather uses any financial resources to further benefit the international artisans around the world.  This company is also dedicated to building long-term relationships with artisans and organizations to best benefit the workers.  Ten Thousand Villages strives to maintain consistency in regards to the amount of products purchased annually from artisans so that  these workers have a dependable income to improve their lives and develop their business.  As a testament to their fair working conditions and business practices, Ten Thousand Villages was recognized as “one of the ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ by the Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine 2008-2010” (Ten Thousand Villages).

• Fair Prices:Fair pricing is a prime value of this company, and they abide by certain procedures to ensure this practice.  The artisans are provided with “up to 50 percent in cash advances when an order is placed, and payment in full when an order is shipped” (Ten Thousand Villages).  By doing so, artisans have the ability to buy any necessary equipment and materials without succumbing to debt or relying on high-interest loans.  Ten Thousand Villages takes the responsibility of marketing the items in the United States, and because the artisans receive payment prior to sending their products to the warehouse, the artisans’ wages are not impacted by markdown prices.  “Ten Thousand Villages buyers and staff” determine fair prices with the artisans “based on the cost of materials, and a fair wage for the production time and skill level required to make each product” (Ten Thousand Villages).  Providing fair prices verifies that artisans are ethically compensated for their time and materials cost, allowing them the ability to satisfy their basic needs.

• Integration Into the Local Economy and Regional Development: Ten Thousand Villages is committed to supporting the artisans’ local economies and regional development.  By providing employment opportunities for those who may have no other means for income assists in developing the economy and improves the livelihood for individuals in the thirty-eight countries that Ten Thousand Villages supports.  Due to the manner in which this company handles business with its artisans, long-term relationship are formed, which establishes a sustainable market that can continue to support these individuals and areas.  Through fair trade, these artisans can use their income for food, education, housing, and healthcare, which provides more opportunities to develop their lives and communities.  This company also works with the organizations and artisans to determine the best manner in which to construct and design their products to further advance their business.  Artisans are encouraged to use local materials to further support the local economy and to design their products that appeals most to customers, namely Americans.  Through these practices, the artisans have greater potential to earn more and organizations can hire new artisans in need of employment.

• Fair Trade Partnerships Between All Actors in Tourism: As a company, Ten Thousand Villages is a role model for fair trade (in tourism) which is justified by their Longtime Leadership Award in 2006.  They are committed to building fair trade partnerships for all those involved in the tourism industry.  Instead of exclusively selling items through Ten Thousand Villages, the organizations and artisans have the opportunity to sell their products in local shops and vendors for international tourists to purchase.  However, domestic tourist or even local residents who wish to support fair trade in the United States also have this option through the Ten Thousand Villages sales outlets.  Considering the principles which provide the basis for maintaining this fair trade company, the local people of the countries who supply the products clearly benefit from the business.  Tourists can also benefit, especially if they are seeking fair trade souvenirs or realize the importance of purchasing fair trade items through one of these Ten Thousand Villages outlets (internationally or in the United States).  Ten Thousand Villages also works with the artisans to create products and designs that will most appeal to the customer base, which is largely comprised of American tourists.  This will create a greater desire for customers to purchase the fair trade items and allow the local artisans, businesses, and economy to further expand, develop, and benefit.    

• Sustainable Resource Use and Environmental Justice:  Ten Thousand Villages has demonstrated their commitment to environmental sustainability and justice through their personal business practices as well as encouraging their international artisans to do the same.  This company has emphasized the value of minimizing their carbon footprint by maintaining sustainable buildings and practices.  Retail outlets are all constructed with “recycled flooring, environmentally safe paints, recycled fixtures and efficient lighting” (Ten Thousand Villages).  This company also uses recycled and natural materials whenever possible, which includes printing promotional materials on recycled paper and using their website as an a sustainable alternative to catalogs.  To reduce their fuel use and pollution, Ten Thousand Villages relies on sea shipments as much as possible and additionally consolidates their shipments.  UPS is then utilized for ground deliveries, which is a sustainable option due to their use of “compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, electricity and hydrogen” (Ten Thousand Villages).  As a result of their dedication to environmental sustainability, Ten Thousand Villages received with the Co-op America Award for Green Business of the Year in 2005.  The artisans abroad are also encouraged to use environmental practices by utilizing natural and recycled materials for the construction of their hand-made products.  Artisans use recyclable items such as newspapers, magazines, glass, and sustainable wood (“from farms that replant trees after they are harvested”) to make unique and practical products.  In addition, natural materials such as bamboo, water weeds, local raw materials, and natural dies are incorporated into the artisans’ work.  Whenever possible, Ten Thousand Villages urges artisans to implement sustainable practices and use environmentally friendly materials.

Although it is possible to purchase inexpensive trinkets while traveling, this is not the most responsible option.  Many of these items are mass produced and often are not manufactured by local residents, which does not benefit the local economy.  However, tourists should consider making ethical purchases through fair trade vendors and shops.  Prior to visiting a destination, tourists should consider researching Ten Thousand Villages’ product providers in the area.  By purchasing from these organizations and artisans, tourists can demonstrate their support for fair trade.  Domestic tourists can also support fair trade by purchasing items from Ten Thousand Villages to support artisans abroad.


(2012). Ten Thousand Villages. Retrieved from http://tenthousandvillages.com/

My recent international trips have exposed me to various destinations around the world, including Puerto Rico, Japan, and Cambodia and Thailand.  I visited these locations over the past three consecutive summers, and my rationale for traveling to each of these areas involved various motivations.  The trip to Puerto Rico was a family vacation, and the purpose of this trip was to visit family and gain a deeper appreciation for my heritage.  My grandmother was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and much of my family resides in Puerto Rico, so this vacation was an opportunity to connect with family and explore the island for the first time.  Visiting Japan was a trip I made independently and spontaneously; I literally purchased my plane ticket the morning I departed.  My aunt, uncle, and cousins lived in Tokyo for several years, so visiting them was a contributing factor in taking this trip.  However, my main motivation in traveling to Japan was to escape my daily life and frustrations.  This vacation was therapeutic and provided me the opportunity to clear my head and find my inner-self while independently exploring Tokyo.  Finally, I traveled to Cambodia and Thailand this past summer with an organization called Discovering Deaf Worlds, to support Deaf advocacy organizations and members of the local Deaf communities.  This provided me exposure to unfamiliar and fascinating countries, while supporting a cause that I am truly passionate about.  This tour allowed me to connect with the local people, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the lives they have lived.

When I travel, I seek unique experiences and opportunities that are contrary to what I would experience in my daily life.  I am an allocentric tourist, so I actively pursue travel destinations that allow me to become immersed in foreign languages, cultures, foods, and history.  Gaining an authentic experience is my priority, and therefore I avoid areas dominated by tourists whenever possible.  During my travel experiences, my desire is to connect with the local people, whether or not we speak the same language, and observe first-hand how they live.  Personally, I am fascinated with the local history and learning about various components that have shaped the lives of the local people.  By interacting with the native people, I have gained new and diverse perspectives, which has broadened my thinking and acceptance of different ideas, people, and cultures.  My open-minded nature, formed by my international experiences, has also influenced me to fully experience and immerse myself in the culture of the country that I am visiting.  For example, this past summer when I visited Cambodia, I sampled many unique foods, including chicken feet, crickets, and snake.  Although I would not ordinarily each such foods, I gained a richer experience by eating the local cuisine.  In my option, it is important to take risks and live out-side of my comfort zone when I travel to fully experience the host country and enrich my life.

Aside from traveling, three activities that I am passionate about are skiing, walking and hiking, and sign language.  Since learning how to ski at the age of five, I have been addicted to the thrill that skiing provides.  Personally, I find skiing to be appealing because it can be both a peaceful and adrenaline-induced experience.  While engaging in this activity, I can enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains as I gracefully slalom through the powdery snow.  In addition, I enjoy walking and hiking, which was initiated during my childhood due to my upbringing in an active family in Colorado.  I especially enjoy walking and hiking when I travel because I have found it to be the most effective manner to observe and immerse myself in many countries or areas.  For example, I experienced El Yunque (a rainforest in Puerto Rico) by foot, which provided spectacular views that were only visible along the hiking trails.  My tour of Tokyo also included a tremendous amount of walking because it is an extremely walk-friendly city (with the assisted use of public transportation).  While walking the streets of Tokyo, I discovered many areas and attractions that I might have otherwise missed due to the city’s expansive, yet compacted nature.  Finally, walking and hiking rural areas of Cambodia provided me with the opportunity to connect with the local people who were harvesting rice-fields in Kampot.  Exploring various areas in this manner is such a personal way to connect to the area, and provides a more gratifying experience.  Lastly, I am particularly passionate about sign language and engaging with the Deaf community.  In the future, my goal is to combine my passion for both sign language and travel to provide international tours for members of the Deaf community.  Although this is not particularly a physical activity, it is a strong passion and component I wish to include within my travels.

Since these activities are strong, personal passions, it would be ideal to incorporate them into future trips.  Although I have not traveled internationally for the purpose skiing, this is a realistic endeavor to consider.  Many destinations around the world are recognized for their ski resorts, and are also countries that I would be interested in visiting or revisiting.  Such renowned options include Chile, Canada (British Columbia and Vancouver), Japan, New Zealand, and Europe including Switzerland, Austria, France, and Italy.  These countries would not only fulfill my desire to ski, but would also offer essential elements that I seek while traveling, such as foreign cultures, languages, history, etc.  In addition, these destinations likely offer walking tours and trails for hiking to fulfill this passion as well during my visit.  It is also possible that I could either arrange to travel to these countries with members of the Deaf community, or even connect with members of the local Deaf community in these areas.  By selecting one of these destinations, it would be achievable to integrate all of my passions into an international experience that would provide optimal, personal satisfaction to further enrich my life through travel.    

Peru Eco Adventure & Cultural Trips is a travel company located in Cusco, Peru.  This travel company does not appear to be a member of the International Ecotourism Society, but does claim to be an eco-travel provider.  Several tour options are available through this company including rafting, trekking, mountain biking, and tours of the Manu-Jungle, Lake Titicaca, and the Inca Trail.  These tours vary in duration and location within Peru, providing a wide-range of tour options.  

Peru Eco Adventure & Cultural Trips was founded by a Peruvian native, Alvaro Sabogal, who actually served as a guide for my parents when they hiked the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu ten years ago.  He has worked in the field for sixteen years, possesses several tourism related degrees, and is currently completing his degree in Sustainable Tourism and Ecology.  Alvaro prides himself on implementing sustainable tourism practices, especially in areas such as the environment, culture, history, nature, and adventure.  His staff is also well trained in providing ecological adventures.  This company supports the local community by hiring local staff members and supporting local businesses, markets, and people during their tours.  

According to their website, Peru Eco Adventure & Cultural Trips is committed to sustainable tourism.  There is a portion of the website that is dedicated to describing their sustainable tourism practices, in addition to their sustainable projects.  From the information gathered from their website, it appears that this company follows various ecotourism fundamentals as outlined by Pamela Wight.  The most predominate fundamentals addressed by this company are, “It should provide long-term benefits - to the resource, to the local community, and to industry (benefits may be conservation, scientific, social, cultural, or economic)” and “It should involve acceptance of the resource on its own terms, and in recognition of its limits, which involves supply-oriented management” (Wight, p.3).  Despite the focus on these two specific fundamentals, the following information contains elements that overlaps other ecotourism fundamentals as well.

The website emphasizes, on several occasions, this company’s dedication to long-term benefits for the resource, local community, and industry.  According to the website, by participating in one of their tours, “You will be supporting our cause: To protect and preserve both the natural environment and landscape of this country, as well as the traditional cultural heritage and future welfare of its local inhabitants” (“Peru Eco Adventure”).  This company continuously refers to their dedication to not only preserve the natural environment of Peru, but to also protect and positively impact the local heritage, culture, and people.  “...[O]ur tourist activities are pointed toward recovering and revitalizing cultural traditions through human interaction in harmony with social development” (“Peru Eco Adventure”).  In addition to numerous projects this company has implemented to protect the natural environment (which will be discussed in further detail), they clearly promote projects that benefit the local people.  These include programs to protect and provide training programs in the areas of folk art, handicraft activities, agriculture, in addition to providing local education and health care.  This company also helps to educate the local population about the environmental condition, and the importance of recycling and engaging in biodegradable activities.  Peru Eco Adventure & Cultural Trips also notes that they also “take special care that our porters and staff receive the best conditions and treatment... and that the women of the community, who are gifted weaver and crafters, are fairly and generously paid and remunerated for their work” (“Peru Eco Adventure”).  Such information provided on their website indicates this tour company’s work towards long-term benefits for the resource, local community, and industry.

This Peruvian company has also accepted the resource on its own terms, recognized its limits, and is promoting projects which involve supply-oriented management.  “In South America, and Peru in particular, we are poignantly aware that our once seemingly endless natural resources are dwindling at an ever-increasing rate.  It is of the essence to act now - first and fast- before the ‘point of no return’ is reached” (“Peru Eco Adventure”).  From this statement, it is clear that this tour company recognizes the environment’s limits and has identified that action is necessary.  Their dedication to this cause is demonstrated by their projects to raise environmental awareness and concern, to influence action to protect and conserve these areas.  In this portion of their website, various environmental issues are addressed.  A large issue that Peru is currently facing is deforestation, which includes logging and slash and burn techniques.  These practices are rapidly depleting the forest and causing other adverse effects such as accelerated erosion, a decrease in wildlife, and a decrease in oxygen that is created from these forests.  Scarcity and pollution of water is also another large issue facing Peru.  With contributing factors such as global warming and receding glaciers, water is becoming more scarce, but unfortunately, much of the rivers and water sources are becoming polluted instead of conserved.  Although these are large issues facing this country, Peru Eco Adventure & Cultural Trips is implementing programs to assist in these dire situations.  They are making a stand to stop deforestation and support reforestation projects.  In addition, this company is working with authorities and the local population to stop pollution to protect their rivers and water sources.  Since this company offers rafting and kayaking tours down the Vilcanota River, this effort is also essential in maintaining their business operations, in addition to the environmental benefits it provides.  This company is making an effort to address these issues so that it may be protected for future generations.

Despite not being a member of the International Ecotourism Society, it appears that Peru Eco Adventure & Cultural Trips has clear intentions to fulfill their claim as being an ecotourism provider.  Not only does “eco” appear in the name of their company, but portions of their website and tours are dedicated to sustainable tourism and sustainable projects that protect the environment, culture, and people of Peru.  



Machete Tours is an eco-tourism operator based in Cuzco, Peru.  This company is a recent member of the International Ecotourism Society, as of 2012.  They provide a wide variety of “cultural, wilderness and activity tours in South America” such as hiking (including the Inca Trail), tours of Machu Picchu, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, mountain expeditions, climbing, Amazon River cruises, rafting, jungle expeditions, off-road programs, and beach vacations (“Machete Tours”).  Machete Tours has been providing tours for eleven years, and focuses on exposing tourists to the natural beauty and diverse culture of South America.  Since Machete Tours is a member of the International Ecotourism Society, they have demonstrated that they fulfill the standards to be recognized as an ecotourism provider.  The two most prevalent ecotourism fundamentals demonstrated by this company are, “It should provide long-term benefits - to the resource, to the local community, and to industry (benefits may be conservation, scientific, social, cultural, or economic)” and “It should provide first-hand, participatory, and enlightening experiences” (Wight, p.3).

From information provided on their website, Machete Tours demonstrates that they have established long-term benefits for the resource, local community, and industry.  They assert that “travel services are monitored for good practices and environmental sustainability - maintaining maximum benefit for both local people, clients and the surrounding regions” (“Machete Tours”).  Included within this commitment to sustainability is sharing the income generated from tourists with the local communities and protecting traditional cultures in the area.  The website also describes a project which benefits Peruvian school-aged children.  This program, called “The Hans Christiansen Library Project” provides books (and other supplies and financial assistance) for school-children that live in remote areas of Peru.  Since these children do not have access to such resources, Machete Tours encourages their tour participants to contribute to this cause (by donating books, supplies, or financial assistance) during their visit to positively impact the local community.  Machete Tours is also dedicated to protecting the natural environment.  They began their ecotoursim operations in the Amazon Jungle “in and around the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Manu Biosphere Reserve” (“Machete Tours”).  During their tours, this company is determined to provide “an incentive to keep the rainforest and its wildlife in a pristine state - a truly long-term vision that contrasts against logging and mining operations that provide short term financial benefits but long-term destruction and poverty” (“Machete Tours”).  Clearly, this ecotourism provider considers the necessary long-term benefits for the local people and environment in their operation.

Machete Tours also provides first-hand, participatory, and enlightening experiences.  This  practice is quite apparent after visiting their website, which contains a quote at the top of the page stating, “We believe that love and understanding for nature comes through living amidst it” (“Machete Tours”).  The goal of their tours is to provide exposure to these areas that will positively alter the manner in which tourists view these areas, and the environment as a whole.  Peru is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world with deserts, rain-forests, icy mountains, and volcanos.  With such diverse, natural beauty, “Machete Tours can guarantee ethical adventures that are both rich and inspiring” (“Machete Tours”).  Touring any of these natural environments is capable of providing an enlightening experience for tourists.  During their tours, this ecotourism company also asks their travelers to become conscious of the amount of water, electricity, and materials/resources they use during their stay, as shortages can be a common occurrence in this area.  Tourists that travel in such a manner and have incredible experiences and exposure to nature will come away with a great appreciation for the natural environment.   

Based on the information provided by their website, Machete Tours’ classification as an ecotourism provider and member of the International Ecotourism Society is justified.  The manner in which they facilitate their tours coincides with ecotourism fundamentals and is in the best interest of the local environment and community.   



References and Works Cited

(n.d.). Machete Tours: Peruvian Travel Ecotourism. Retrieved from http:// www.machetetours.com/ 

(2012). Peru EcoAdventure & Cultural Trips. Retrieved from http:// www.cuscomachupicchu.com/

(1990-2012). The International Ecotourism Society. Retrieved from http://www.ecotourism.org/

Wight, P. (1993). Ecotourism: Ethics or Eco-Sell? In Journal of Travel Research. Retrieved from https://learn-uu.uen.org/courses/103289/files/8260235/