In order to preserve the beautiful nature and culture of Amami Oshima, it is essential to conduct tours in ways that consider and respect these aspects. Here, we introduce the initiatives of Link Adventures:
- Avoid busy times and locations
- Support local shops
- Wildlife-Friendly Observation Methods
- Educate travelers
Avoid Busy Times and Locations
The peak season for Amami Oshima is during the summer. Due to the high influx of tourists during this time, we anticipate an increased environmental and local impact. This is referred to as ‘over-tourism’. At Link Adventures, we take the following two measures to avoid over-tourism.
Enhancing Tours During Off-Peak Periods
The peak season in Amami Oshima is summer, from July to September. Due to the high tourism load during this season, it is ideal for visitors to spread out and visit during other seasons as well. Therefore, we offer several tours only in other seasons. For example. hiking tours specifically from autumn to spring. With lower temperatures and reduced snake activity, this season is perfect for hiking. The tour that takes you along the trail to see the giant Fig tree is truly spectacular.
Time and Location Management
Tours such as mangrove kayaking and wildlife exploration are popular among travelers, leading to crowded times and locations. In mangroves, high tide and nearby waterways become congested. Therefore, we organize tours during less crowded low tide hours, and during high tide, we kayak to more remote areas with fewer people. For wildlife tours, the forest roads in the central-southern part of Amami Oshima are popular spots. To avoid congestion, we conduct tours on less-traveled roads with fewer cars.
Support local shops
Supporting local businesses is also considered a crucial aspect of sustainability. While large supermarkets and chain stores offer a wide range of products at affordable prices, if these businesses are operated by companies from outside the island, much of the profit is absorbed by other regions. To support local businesses in Amami Oshima, it is important to use local stores. We, for instance, source beverages, snacks, and lunch boxes provided during our tours from local businesses. This helps retain profits in the region and contributes to the development of locally unique products.
Wildlife-Friendly Observation Methods
To minimize negative impacts on wildlife, our tours provide several tools and methods.
Binoculars
Using binoculars allows for observing animals without causing them stress. Maintaining a considerable distance enables thorough observation without alerting the animals.
Red light
Primarily used during night tours, red lights are considered less noticeable to animals compared to regular white lights. When observing wildlife like the Amami Rabbit, incorporating red lights ensures a wildlife-friendly tour.
Coral-Friendly Sunscreen
Sunscreen ingredients can sometimes have harmful effects on coral reefs. Especially during snorkeling tours, we provide coral-friendly sunscreen to minimize environmental impact on coral reefs.
Educate Travelers
Guides provide accurate information to travelers about issues occurring on Amami Island and globally, encouraging awareness of conservation. They also share practices that can be implemented in daily life. Above all, guides consistently strive to be positive examples for sustainability.