ABSTRACT
A tour operator that organizes ethical adventures around the world, including expeditions, treks, safaris and gap years. Adventure Alternative began with the specific principle of promoting income from tourism for the host countries rather than a Western bank account. Medical doctor Gavin Bate provided start-up investment for local companies who operate as subsidiaries to his parent company. Profits were ploughed back into staff development, training and resources. The company also underwrites a charity established by Gavin called Moving Mountains. The company is inextricably linked with the charity and its beneficiaries – for example Africampers, a Kenyan project, has 44 staff, all of whom are ex-street children who were educated by the charity and now have stable well-paid jobs with the company. Started in 1991, Adventure Alternative is seeing the fruits of many years of effort investing in the people of Tanzania, Nepal and Kenya, so there is little need to advertise: word of mouth encourages a large proportion of repeat business. Gavin makes frequent visits to the homes of his staff in Tanzania and Nepal, ensuring that salaries properly reflect the increase in living costs.
