Animal Experience International (AEI) sets itself apart from competitors by focusing exclusively on animal-related volunteer experiences. This specialization allows the brand to offer a wide range of unique and immersive opportunities for animal lovers, students, professionals and adventure seekers.
AEI's Consent Based Tourism model is another differentiating factor that ensures all interactions are consensual from the communities hosting volunteers to the treatment of animals involved. This model promotes responsible tourism and ethical treatment of animals.
Additionally, AEI offers comprehensive support throughout the entire experience - from pre-departure training on cultural sensitivity and ethical travel to ongoing support during the trip.
Moreover, as a B Corp organization, AEI operates under high standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose which is not common among all competitors.
Lastly, AEI's small group trips led by a group leader provide an extra layer of comfort for those who may be hesitant about traveling alone or volunteering in foreign locations.
Consent Based Volunteering
Watch Nora talk with the Gap Year Association of Canada all about consent in travel. Consent in the local community hosts, consent in the animals we volunteer with and consent in our own bodies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P9f5-sLTDI&ab_channel=CanadianGapYearAssociation
Consent Based Tourism
Consent somehow is the gold standard, not the baseline of interactions in every day life and while the world is (thankfully) changing, we want to make sure that travel is changing, too. We are working hard to make Consent Based Tourism not aspirational but the standard of all travel interactions.
With Consent Based Tourism, all parties in each interaction are giving a 'full body yes'. They want the interaction to happen, or they don't and they are free to leave and feel safe doing so.
The three main parties are the local community members, the animals in the area and the traveller.
In order for a community and it's members to consent they have to not just accept the traveller, they have to welcome and invite the traveller. In a time of a pandemic there are some communities who legally are allowing visitors but their members may feel unsafe, uncomfortable or like they have been coerced into having international visitors. Consent Based Tourism makes sure it's not about the entitlement of the traveller but the safety and comfort of the hosts.
The second individual that we must consider are the animals. Animals must consent to any interactions so there can't be chains, tethers or leashes on wild animals. This means no intimidation or violence as a tool of behavior control or modification. If an animal is in an enclosure (perhaps at a sanctuary) the animal can interact with the traveller if it wants but it can leave the interaction and has space to hide and be comfortable. Animals have the right to privacy and comfort and Consent Based Tourism makes sure they get it.
The last individual to think about in Consent Based Tourism is the traveller. Does the traveller want to be part of the interaction or can they leave without feeling like there is coercion? If they want to travel somewhere and are feeling a 'full body yes' they will enjoy it more, be more willing to take part in immersive experiences and even consider things like volunteering and public service along with their engagement.
Consent Based Tourism may be a new idea but we hope we hope it grows and becomes an ‘obvious’ idea. Something that goes without saying because without consent how can tourism be a force for good?
Consent Based Travel
Over the next month we will be explaining more about the importance of what we are calling consent based travel. But here are the basics for those who want to know right now!
In order for a relationship to be healthy it must be a consenting relationship and we think that travel is all about healthy relationships. Relationships with the host communities, relationships with the animals and relationships with ourselves. SO, the easiest way to understand if we are participating in ethical and healthy travel is to see to see if everyone is consenting.
Some communities have vulnerable populations and are asking for travellers coming in 2021 to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. In order to have a consenting relationship with these hosts, we will need to be fully vaccinated. Easy, we just have to be patient!
What about animals? Importantly, coercion is not consent. If an animal must be tied up, chained or contained in a cage (or tank) to interact with you, it’s not a healthy and consenting interaction.
How can you know you are a consenting traveller? Well, do you actually want to travel right now? Are you being true to yourself and doing what you want not just doing what the gram wants? After a year of self care, be real with yourself, what do you want? If you aren’t comfortable travelling right away, that is totally okay! It’s a strange and anxious time, this is why we are planning more group trips for down the road. We want to make sure people are actually comfortable and enjoying their travels.
We will be expanding on these topics soon but if you have any questions or want to learn more don’t be afraid to message us. We are here to make sure you, the animals and the communities around the world stay safe, content and respected.
Take care of yourselves and stay safe out there.
Nora
