Green tourism & CSR

Make responsible choices when planning your meeting or incentive trip to Prague and Czech Republic.

OUR LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES:

CSR, or corporate social responsibility, is a concept through which companies openly acknowledge their part of responsibility for the society. Corporate behavior in line with CSR is, in fact, a long-term investment into company's comprehensive growth. The concept is based on principles of charitable and volunteer work and partnership.

Contents:

Introduction

VANADOO CSR program samples: 

1. Tree of Life - Tree  adoptions

2. Open support

3. Engaging participants into specific activities

4. Event and conference carbon footprint calculator

5. Moravian Wine Trails

6. CSR half day sightseeing tips for PRAGUE 

7. International Centre of Responsible Tourism

Introduction

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a "new age KEY WORD" for corporate management while planning incentive travel for the employees. It is becoming more and more popular not only while visiting less developed countries, but it is becoming a top tool of communication strategy towards company´s employees and the general public in all diverse destinations throughout the World. Businesses are more and more aware, that they don't stand alone in society and that one needs to work together to survive in this turbulent world and society. This trend is proactive, aiming to contribution to general appearance. Research shows that employees after attendance of such a special incentive feel an increase of loyalty, motivation, morals identification within the company and its values. It is a WIN - WIN situation for both: SOCIETY & YOUR ORGANIZATION.

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Programs of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) are diverse for the incentive travel of each company. We are aware that there are goals to be fulfilled by your organization, we take into account different participants with various as well as complete program depending on your objectives, budget and length of the stay.VANADOO is offering a wide range of CSR options from the basic suggestions up to complete programs of volunteer projects. Not all projects are available throughout the full calendar year, it depends on grants achieve from funds, time of the year, number of participants coming on the trip and various other factors.

Our programs are carried in cooperation with The Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation (Nadace Partnerství) and some other prestigious and professional non-profit organizations which are well established in our destination.

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VANADOO CSR program samples:

1. Tree of Life - Tree adoptions

Tree of Life program supports tree planting projects all over the Czech Republic by way of grants and assistance. By way of tree planting the travelers can actively get involved in caring for the Bohemian countryside. By donating this money you can adopt a tree in Czech countryside. As an appreciation for supporting the company you will receive an original certificate and the tree will be marked with the donator's name. Clients are provided with copies of the accounting documents and photos from the planting action.Groups can also join the planting at specific period of the year (details and conditions on request).

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2. Open support

The Program supports projects that are usually neglected by the national, regional or local governments (for example supporting programs aimed at mentally challenged and autistic kids or adults, children's houses, shelters for victims of crime and domestic violence. Protection of valuable natural habitats or historical monuments etc.) Choosing from a list of "call for support" clients can choose a project they would like to support financially. During the event, an official meeting with representatives of the supported subject will be organized. Participants will be educated about theproblems of the given sector and they will be informed how their financial aid was used. On site visits can be arranged as well. (Visits to children's houses and similar institutions are subordinatedto strict ethical principals in order to protect the afflicted kids or adults and to make sure they will not be exposed to an uncomfortable situation.)

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3. Engaging participants into specific activities

In conjunction with regional partners we can tailor various volunteering programs, for example planting trees, correction of greenways, mowing of meadows, improving a run down playground, creating a community garden or getting involved in heritage projects etc.

Since creation and realization of those programs require relatively long and demanding administration process, customized programs of this kind are tailored only for serious requests and confirmed events.Those activities are based on minimum 1-2 days programs, therefore they can´t be compressed into few hours or ½ day activities.

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4. Event and conference carbon footprint calculator

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc.Calculating the carbon footprint of your event or conference is pretty straightforward. By knowing details about your event (how many people will be attending, how many flights and hotel rooms will be used) in cooperation with the The Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation (Nadace Partnerství) we will quote your carbon footprint from the energy you use on the event.

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5. Moravian Wine Trails

The Moravian Wine Trails are a long-term project for the development of viniculture and sustainable tourism in South Moravia. The project has been implemented by the Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation (Nadace Partnerství) in collaboration with 280 wine-growing municipalities and other partners since 1999. Each of the 10 wine-growing regions in Moravia is connected by its own wine trail loop, with all loops connected to the arterial Moravian Wine Trail.Visitors can thus choose from one-day trips or longer tours on which to discover local culture, wines and monuments, all from a 1,200-kmnetwork of cycling trails. Customized program packages incl. accommodation, transportation and local activities are available on request.

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6. CSR half day sightseeing tips for PRAGUE (CO2 freeways how to explore the city)

A) Walking tours, Segways, Bikes

B) CSR Pedestrian Rally

Pedestrian Rally is a teambuilding activity combining personal experience, city sightseeing and fulfilling tasks. Each team is passing through different stations, where various activities are taking place. In order to make the program "CSR active", we have tailored programs to follow the objective but keep the concept as a teambuilding activity,(eg. visiting art workshop where handicapped people are selling their products, singing contest with the goal to raise a small small amount of money in order to donate it to a shelter etc.)

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7. International Centre of Responsible Tourism

In 2002, 280 representatives from all sectors of tourism from 20 countries attended the Cape Town Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations preceding the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

They agreed in a declaration that responsible tourism:

• minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
• generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities; improves working conditions and access to the industry
• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity
• provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
• provides access for physically challenged people
• is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence
Responsible Tourism has of course many variants such as Eco Tourism, Agro Tourism and Sustainable Tourism. For more information on all formats, please consult the website of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (http://www.icrtourism.org)

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