Winner of the 2006 Sustainable Tourism Award This award exemplifies leadership in balancing the economic, environmental and cultural authenticity of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia.
Our Mission Statement
Scott Walking Adventures creates memorable walking and hiking experiences in beautiful places of natural history and cultural heritage. Our professional management, staff and guides ensure customer satisfaction and responsible travel which upholds ecotourism, community sustainability and risk management.
Our Code of Ethics
Scott Walking Adventures practices "no-trace" hiking and is committed to the principles of ecotourism.
- We ensure that the environmental, social, cultural, economic and aesthetic needs and expectations of the community and our customers are included in our policies, plans and decisions and result in the provision of quality goods and services.
- We ensure operations are designed and conducted in a manner that will conserve resources, minimize or eliminate environmental damage and, where possible, enhance environmental situations.
- We are continually evaluating new information, technologies and services, thus providing our employees and ourselves with opportunities for development, environmental education and protection, and improved customer service.
- We act with a spirit of cooperation within the industry and related sectors to foster greater public awareness of the economic, social, cultural and environmental significance of tourism.
- We enhance our natural, historic, cultural and aesthetic resources as a legacy for present and future generations, through encouraging establishment of parks, wilderness reserves and protected areas.
- We ensure that the privacy of our guests, potential guests and guides is maintained and follows the directives of the Privacy Act of Canada.
Why a Code of Conduct
In 1992, founder Wendy Scott had a vision of sharing her homeland with visitors that encompassed two main core values: integrity and responsibility. Scott Walking Adventures has been committed to offering culturally-rich, low-impact, high-end walking adventures that benefit traveller and host alike with mutual respect and awareness of the regions visited. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while at the same time minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.
We believe that an authentic travel experience can be a life changing experience also, through awareness of the culture, history and natural environment of the region. Out of this awareness comes respect for the local people, their customs & beliefs and economic needs. From this awareness and respect comes a reverence for all living matter in the eco-zone visited.
All adventures are designed with the RARE principle:
Respect
Awareness
Reverence
Experience
Some ways that we achieve an authentic experience include: the use of small, locally-owned properties rather than big foreign-owned hotels, we try to use real people and local characters as guides and we seek out spontaneous and authentic experiences rather than the contrived enactments of conventional tourism. We also travel in small groups (a maximum of 14, with an average group size of 8) that are less intrusive on trails and in natural areas.
Travellers Code of Conduct
-All guests are given pre-trip confirmation packages about their upcoming holiday. Each package includes accurate information about the area they are traveling to, suggested packing details, inn etiquette instructions, gratuity suggestions and pre/post accommodation suggestions with local inns.
-Guests are taken to souvenir and gift shops where they can purchase locally made goods and crafts.
-Guests are instructed on water consumption at inns for showers and baths.
-Guests are encouraged to use only reusable water containers and are offered only reusable food containers in packs.
-Guests are instructed on trail etiquette during their orientation and are advised on “Leave No Trace” principles.
-Guests are encouraged to participate in local festivals and events that will enhance their cultural understanding of the local people.
-Guests are encouraged to buy local, fresh, organic and fair trade goods and services.
Guide Code of Conduct
-Guides maintain a professional, positive and respectful attitude in all communications and dealings with the local people and businesses.
-Guides maintain a strong leadership role and model correct behaviors in regards to responsibilities to the environment and local culture.
-Guides educate and ensure the environmental awareness of the group.
-Guides are ambassadors for the region, culture and customs.
-Guides are prepared to interpret the natural environment to create awareness and identify opportunities of self-discovery for guests.
-Guides prepare lunches and snacks for guests from foods that are purchased locally and best represent the region’s cuisine.
-Guides ensure that guests are properly prepared for their environment and travels to minimize the possibility of use of short-cuts or emergency evacuation.
-Guides re-use and recycle wherever possible.
Trail Code of Conduct
-We discourage guests from picking flora or removing anything from its place in nature.
-We educate on all “species at risk” in the local environment.
-We will not use over-used trail systems.
-We will not use trails that have been damaged naturally (ie. rain, wind, water).
-We support local volunteer groups that protect and maintain local trail systems.
-We only use existing trails that have approval for public use by the local community.
-We practice “Leave no Trace” Principles.
Sustainability Code of Conduct
-We research all tour destinations thoroughly - to ensure that all risk management policies can be adhered to for the safety of guides and guests - to ensure that local communities wish to cooperate and welcome tourists - and to ensure an infrastructure of local trail systems exist to minimize environmental impact.
-We work only with suppliers that support their local communities and operate with sustainability principles.
-All guides hired to escort tours are local to the areas that they travel in and are trained in responsible travel practices, no trace principles, food management & safety, remote wilderness first aid and natural history interpretation.
-All activities enjoyed by guests are authentic and representative of the local community.
-We only practice low-impact (walking) and non-consumptive activities on all tours.
Home Office Code of Conduct
-Tour picnics and snacks are offered in re-usable containers. Drinking water is not purchased in individual containers. Recycling is done where possible on tour.
-Home office practices reusing and recycling of containers, all cardboard and paper products and ink cartridges. Composting and green box items are collected and disposed of properly.
-Catalogue is printed with vegetable based inks and an overall water based aqueous coating. Catalogues are offered in PDF version on the website and through the Nova Scotia Tourism Industry website.
-A comprehensive website offers all information about the tours online.
-Health, happiness and personal well-being are encouraged for all employees and guides during working hours and in their personal lives.
Our Mission Statement