Responsible Tourism Policy
Responsible Tourism Policy
Fauzi Azar Inn
Ecotourism has been described as “the practice of low-impact, educational, ecologically and culturally sensitive travel that benefits local communities and host countries” (Martha Honey, 1999). Since its creation, Fauzi Azar Inn has committed to the belief that it exists for the benefit of the city of Nazareth and its people. We believe this can be achieved through the following commitments:
- Shopping locally for all our food and supplies. Everything from the fruits, vegetables, and olive oil used at breakfast, to our office supplies, cleaning supplies, bedding, wine, and souvenirs are purchased locally. (Local is defined as the closest seller available for a specific need.) We have found that most of these needs can be met from within the city itself.
- Hiring Nazareth residents. Though we have a large amount of volunteers serving with us, their purpose is to assist the primary staff, not be a substitute for them. This way, we are able to employ the maximum number of locals possible, from the maintenance and cleaning staff to the head manager.
- Increasing guest awareness. Our goal is for guests at the Fauzi to come into contact with every bit of Nazareth culture, life, food, and people. We have created a very detailed map of the city, freely available to all our guests. Upon arrival, we take the time to highlight restaurants, historical sites, spice shops, money exchange - even where to find a pita pizza or kataif (Ramadan pancake) year round!
- Free city tour. Daily, we invite our guests to join us on a tour of the city, which starts with a history of the Inn itself, then winds through the streets of Nazareth, where guests not only see ancient architecture and historical sites, but meet the local owners of spice shops, coffee shops, and carpentry stores.
- Water and energy conservation. All water faucets at Fauzi Azar Inn are equipped with water conservation devices. All light bulbs are energy efficient and air conditioners are furnished with motion detection so the units shut off if no one is near. We encourage our guests to turn off the water during their showers and be mindful of the amount of water and energy they use. We believe conservation is “a family affair” - we all must work together to make a difference. To support this belief, we offer a 10% discount to all cyclists, and a hiking trail that directs travelers around the beautiful Galilee region by foot (www.jesustrail.com)
- Extensive volunteer opportunities. Our volunteers are invited to extend their services beyond the doors of the Inn and find their place in the local community through helping at the hospitals, teaching English, or measuring out grain at a spice shop. The opportunities are vast and we encourage our volunteers to make the most of their stay with us by finding their own niche within the city.
- Support other local accommodations. We believe the local businesses in the old city should work together and help each other succeed. We are pleased that the opening of the Fauzi Azar Inn in 2005 has since prompted other places of lodging to emerge inside the old city. Please feel free to check out their websites as well: www.al-mutran.com, www.abusaeedhostel.com, www.alatabeh.com.
- Always a student, always a leader. From the owner to the staff to the volunteers to the guests, we are all students in this effort. When we approach life with this mindset, we learn about a world far bigger and far more beautiful than our own. We fully believe that when we take the initiative to step out, it invites others to do the same. So we commit to the process of learning, asking questions, hearing stories, and maintaining an attitude of eagerness to see life from a new perspective.