About Us - Responsible Travel
What is eco-tourism? Many companies these days profess to practise it, but this can amount to as little as recycling their brochures!
Ethical trading standards and practices are vital to the future growth of international tourism. Wind Sand and Stars believes in doing business only in a manner which is sustainable in the long-term. We work in harmony with the people who have roamed the desert landscapes for thousands of years. We don’t tell them what’s good for them: we ask them.
We respect the local people, their values, their culture and their beliefs. In return, they respect us and the people who travel with us. We protect the environment and leave no trace of our existence at any campsite……. Just footsteps!!
We never forget that we are privileged to be guests of the Bedouin, in their land, sharing it with them, learning about it, seeing how they live in it… living in it ourselves too, for a short while: guests of the Bedouin, and guests of the desert.
Our visits help to preserve rather than threaten the traditional way of life. The young Bedouin men who might otherwise drift to the tourist resorts, even to Cairo, in search of work, now stay with their families, earning money as guides, and taking even greater pride in their culture for the interest that we show in it. We trade with the Bedouin too. We travel on old trade routes, and though we may not bring with us the spices of old, we do bring money and take away with us silk scarves, weaving and some of the beautiful beadwork produced by Bedouin women.
On a larger scale, we work with Government authorities, NGOs, the National Parks, local and other organisations to ensure that we are also working in harmony with the bodies who look after this precious region. Above all, we strive to be considerate and respectful of the land and the peoples we know and have come to love.
Wind Sand Stars won the category of ‘Highly Commended’ for the BA Tourism for Tomorrow Award in 1996 and also in 2000. We are also members of Tourism Concern and work with Climate Care
We have been featured in the press, from national publications to specialist media. For an unbiased view, read some of our press coverage.
