Index

Our aim for our clients is to be their “friend in Ethiopia”. To deliver to this standard we consider the complete range of needs of visitors to Ethiopia from developed countries. E.g. we provide SIM cards to our clients so that they can experience the local culture and still feel safe in the knowledge that they can contact their guide for advice and support. This has the added advantage of enabling our clients to keep in touch with home.

Further examples include: Guided walking and vehicle tours
Escorted bus trips
Accommodation arranged
Help with finding a restaurant or hotel
Guidance on how much to pay for services (e.g. taxi fares, airport departure tax, etc)
Car hire
Help with money exchange
Mobile phone cards to buy
Mobile phones to rent
Laundry services
Locally produced souvenirs
Access to international telephone calling
Internet access
Document production
Photographs (for passports/documents)
Letters written & applications completed

These services are also available to local people.

We have a policy of not providing printed brochures. All our publicity and promotion is internet based. We recycle printer cartridges.

We maintain our vehicles to a high level to achieve minimum fuel consumption. We do not automatically dispose of serviceable vehicles on a fixed rolling programme and so encourage clients to book trips by offering a price reduction for older vehicles. In our experience 4 X 4’s that rely less on state of the art electronics often out perform their newer versions in the rugged Ethiopian countryside.

Through acting as the destination manager in Ethiopia for one of the UK’s largest and most respected tour organizers for school children, we have developed an enviable range of local projects which have environmental benefits. We are now offering similar opportunities to our clients. E.g. Construction of a new girl’s toilet block in a school of 1816 students ages 6 – 14. Work involves digging and carrying stones alongside local people. Possible buying of books for the school library – involves discussion, selection and ordering from local businesses. Improving water supply to school – involves clearing the ground and laying of pipes – working with locals.

All our guides are Ethiopian. This applies to the guide that looks after the group as well as local guides who we employ to accompany groups visiting local communities. Particularly when visiting local communities in the south of Ethiopia. We find that local guides bring a real sense that the community is genuinely hosting the visit. When making visits to places like Lalibela and Gondar we employ local guides to ensure that our clients receive a level of information that matches their interests. Through research and working with academic authorities we have developed a knowledge base to a highly professional standard.

All Alligan Travel staff based in Ethiopia are Ethiopian. Our sponsoring company in the UK is based in the education sector and provides us with a highly structured approach to CPD for our staff. The way that we work is transmitted by our staff to our local suppliers and as a consequence contribute to an increase in their skills level. Our goods and services including hotel accommodation are all purchased from Ethiopian companies. E.g. we will encourage our clients whilst on tour to come with us to the local markets to purchase food and drink for their meals or they will eat in local Ethiopian restaurants. Pre-trip information on the social and political situation is included in our introduction pack which also includes suggestions to our clients on how to minimize negative impact on local cultures and the environment. We can arrange for our clients to participate in local social projects which will benefit the host community as described above.