The Kontrei Traveller Credo For a sustainable tourism experience, we use the eco-regional approach to understanding our earth.   Using this approach, I admit that it is not possible to fully grasp and understand our earth. What is possible however, is to have an intimate understanding of one's place and region by being involved in a variety of relationships over a period of time. By then reaching out intellectually to the world, I as an ordinary citizen, can find myself in a position where I can Think globally but Act locally within my befriended region(s) on earth.  
 
The eco regional paradigm emphasizes that each earth region has its own unique, interdependent, regional integrity rooted in the natural environment of a place in the region or in the region itself. This gives rise to an equally unique regional culture because people find themselves at home in a specific region/place. People living in the region are having enlightening experiences whereby one becomes native to one's place by living in harmony with both its special gifts and its restrictions. It challenges one to best understand the relationships network of one's place and to execute whatever activities and social behavior to enrich the life of that place/region, conserve its life-supporting systems, establish and improve its ecosystems and eco quality of life. Simply stated it means that people become fully alive in and with a place. It involves applying for membership in an area as a means of opposing exploitation of the area.  
 
Fundamental pointers of this paradigm for living a quality of life in one's region is conservation, stability, optimal self-sufficiency, cooperation, complementarity and harmony in diversity.   Applying this to the Traveller, we conclude that:   If the eco regional paradigm guides the local people to understand and live in harmony with their place, it may also provide a valuable guideline for visitors to other areas than their own. It stands to reason that being hosted and guided by local charm is a prerequisite for having an interactive, enlightening travel experience as our way of contributing to the traveller's satisfaction  

We will travel guilt free South and Southern Africa have many poor people. By travelling in South and Southern Africa your traveller money can make a substantial contribution if the local companies you support, operate according to the stakeholder business model.  
 
Kontrei Traveller and all members of The Kontrei Traveller Portfolio are applying the 4C stakeholder business model. This refers to:   In terms of the purpose of sustainable development and sustainable consumption in general and in the specific tourism sector of the economy, the 4C elements, show the following structure:  
C1 - Conservation: Responsible management of the natural and cultural resources
C2 - Community: Optimum, fair, involvement of host community
C3 - Customer: Sense of place experiences by visitors
C4 - Company: Sustainable, economic, entrepreneurial business  
 
In the Kontrei Traveller sustainable tourism operation, the entrepreneur(C4) accepts the responsibility for sustainable production and sustainable consumption in the privately owned enterprise.  
 
In sustainable tourism the place comes first. This results in the most practical and affordable application of the 4 C's in the sequence : C1, C2 and C3 to arrive at C4 as a result.   When Supporting Kontrei Traveller and the Kontrei Traveller Portfolio, this means that local capital was raised for starting the company - C4 - and when profits are generated, profit is not only allocated to the shareholders.  
 
Profit is optimized and shareholders are satisfied with less money because they dedicate themselves to sustainability rather than myopic economic growth only. They retain money to sustain the company BUT give back to the other stakeholders by sharing profit with staff and the local host community and re invest in the conservation of renewable environmental resources.   This is deliberately done to provide the customer stakeholder - C3 - with a sustainable product to be consumed again and again.  
 
The traveller who wants to travel guilt free, can do so by buying into these local products because the money earned by Kontrei Traveller and The Kontrei Traveller Portfolio members are fairly allocated to Conservation of the environment - C1 and the Local Host Communities C2. By supporting locally produced goods and services like foods, transport, shops, souvenirs and accommodation the local economy benefits due to the ripple effect thus broadening the base of economic activity and making a humble but substantial contribution to the poor people at the base of the Pyramid.  

Water Conservation
In South and Southern Africa available fresh water is limited due to low rainfall and intermittent periods of drought. We also experience growth in population, a trek to the cities and an increase in agricultural, mining and industrial development. Even without visitors coming, there is increased pressure on our water resources. We therefore appeal to our distinguished visitors to help conserve this precious resource by:
-Taking showers instead of indulging in a big bath
-Use biodegradable soap and detergents
-Cooperate in towel and linen replacement requests
-Innovate your own methods of using water sparingly
-Do not leave taps running
-Report leaks and dripping taps  
 
Energy Conservation
South Africa was recently hit by the failure of the state owned electrical power supplier to supply enough electricity to the growing national demand. Electricity cuts and power failures are now a frequent phenomenon with which the private households and the economy as a whole have to cope with. It is a real threat to the production capacity of the South African economy.  
 
Visitors must expect to be affected by this shortage of electricity and as far as we can see this will be a long term problem.  
Your hosts will ask your cooperation in saving electricity. Please cooperate but also contribute by:
-SOS - Switching off something
-Close windows and draw curtains to reduce solar heating
-Set air conditioners in rooms and vehicles to minimum comfort levels
-Refrain from opening the fridge unnecessarily as this will allow the cold air to escape forcing your fridge to compensate.
-Use cold water when washing your hands as most soaps are still effective when used with cold water
-Be a sustainable consumer by minimizing your environmental impact  
 
On a Kontrei Traveller tour we see our own operation as applying for membership in an area where we tour as a means of opposing exploitation of the area.We do not demand because we have paid. We rather ask to be hosted, guided by local knowledge and charm, to interact and participate in the attractions from the area in order to be enlightened.  
 
On tour we will use local TourismSA registered guides cooperating with local guides to maximize knowledge transfer. We will minimize the vehicles Carbon and Sulphur offsets by having the vehicles regularly serviced and using low sulphur diesel fuel.