Be a conscious traveller and follow our tips:
Whenever possible, choose direct flights: Travel with less stress and with the certainty that the ecological footprint of your trip is as small as possible. Whenever possible, choose Airlines that have CO2 emissions compensation programs. Ask us and we will tell you everything!
Why not travel by train? For trips within the same geographical region, this is the ideal mean of transportation: comfortable, modern, efficient, and with the added bonus of being able to enjoy landscapes that you would not have the opportunity to see if you travelled by plane or drove a car.
Say no to the plastic. Whenever possible, take a reusable water bottle with you, do not use plastic bags, and do you really need a straw in your drink? ... Take the 3 R rule in your luggage: reduce, reuse and recycle!
Respect Nature! Do not leave the marked trails in nature parks, do not leave garbage anywhere and, if you are a smoker, be especially careful with cigarettes: in addition to containing thousands of chemicals, they can cause fires.
Souvenirs? Yes, but only if they are very typical! Always prefer local crafts and handmade products over trinkets that you can buy anywhere. The materials used should also deserve your special attention: do not buy anything that is made of fur, teeth, ivory or coral, among others. Also, please do not be tempted to bring “memories” of nature or culture. Think that if we all brought a pebble from the Colosseum in Rome, it would soon disappear.
Be digital. Do you really need to pick up all the maps, brochures and flyers? Check first if what you need is available online. The same applies to your travel documentation: store everything on your phone, tablet or PC and travel lighter!
Take the recommendations given by hotels regarding water consumption seriously. Water is increasingly a scarce commodity - don't waste it!
Nobody wants to put on weight on vacation, right? Right! Don't be that traveller who "fills the plate": he will end up overeating and wasting food...
Speaking of food... be adventurous! Even if you stay in an All Inclusive hotel, try a local restaurant. It will be helping the local economy and, perhaps, tasting delicacies so far unknown.
Protect wild animals. See, listen, but please don't touch. Be it an elephant, a small monkey or bird, a turtle or a dolphin: a human touch can transmit fatal diseases. And don't feed them, you will be altering their natural behaviour and making them more vulnerable.
Your trip is more than posts on Instagram or Facebook. Respect the places, its inhabitants, uses and customs. Don't take pictures of anyone without first asking if you can, and do not do it to children. Don't be tempted to take selfies in places that deserve respect, be it places of worship or considered sacred, be it memorials or places of tragedy.
What if we advise you to be a Slow Traveller? Try to stay in the same place as long as possible; slow down the pace and get to know the place, the people, the customs, smells and tastes better. Going slow can make you go even far…

 

Aware of the contribution we can make to Sustainable Tourism, we have drawn up the following Policies:

Sustainable Accommodation Policy

Our company is committed to promoting sustainable accommodation. The sustainability of an accommodation establishment is of fundamental importance as it allows our company to extend sustainability practices to a core element of our travel / supply chain. In most cases, we do not select accommodation for our clients. In that case, our policy is to recommend to our clients the most sustainable accommodation options within their budget. When we do have the opportunity to select accommodation, we will give preference to establishments that follow sustainable practices in all aspects of their operation.

1. Scope of application
This policy will form part of the Sustainability Policy. The policy shall apply to the selection of accommodation providers with whom our company collaborates. This policy shall come into effect immediately after its approval by the Board of Directors and dissemination to our Employees. The policy will be formally reviewed every two years to ensure its relevance. Any changes to this policy must be duly authorised.

2. Principles of sustainable accommodation
In our effort to select the most sustainable accommodation providers available, we prefer establishments that follow these fundamental principles:

• The right comfort at the right price: The establishment is hygienic, sanitary and safe and is able to offer good comfort and service to match our clients' expectations. Sustainable accommodation practices can be found in all price ranges; therefore we aim to identify the most sustainable options available within our clients' budget.
• Fair business: The establishment follows fair business practices, including transparency and compliance with the law, human rights and economic/social equity, as well as environmental and animal protection.
• Minimises impact on environment and society: The establishment places a high priority on sustainable practices, with the aim of minimising their effect on the surrounding environment and society.

3. General considerations on sustainability
Sustainable practices can be found in all budget ranges. Therefore, our company mainly analyses their practices to identify the most responsible suppliers. Assessments of the accommodation marketed by our company can be done in several ways:
- Information given by our Local Agents
- Site visit by our company's sustainability coordinator/manager
- Comments from our local guide/representative
- Customer feedback form

The following considerations will be taken into account when evaluating accommodations and will serve as the basis for our company's preference:
Human care: We aim to work with companies that take good care of their human resources, which is of fundamental importance for the tourism sector. We therefore assess whether the supplier maintains good working conditions for its staff (minimum wage, reasonable working hours, adequate lunch hours, etc.).
No-plastic policy: The accommodation minimises the use of plastic and, as a common practice, does not offer plastic water bottles to its customers. Instead, the supplier provides places where guests can fill the jugs that are provided in the room and their own bottles.
Waste management: Preference will be given to suppliers who have and adhere to a waste separation policy and ideally do not limit themselves to separating organic waste for composting and plastic for recycling.
Energy efficiency: Preference will be given to suppliers who follow energy efficient practices such as energy saving light bulbs and energy efficient equipment and advise their customers on optimal use of electricity.
Water consumption: The accommodation uses water efficiently. Accommodation with a water-saving system in the toilet and "western" shower will be preferred to other accommodation.
Protection of children: The accommodation has to ensure that the rights of children are respected and safeguarded. Our company does not work with suppliers who employ children under the age of 14, and those who employ children between the ages of 15 and 18 must ensure that special working conditions are in place to protect them (e.g. part-time or on a work placement basis). We condemn the exploitation of children in the premises and facilities of subcontracted accommodation. We will terminate any contract if the accommodation fails to take adequate measures to prevent and/or stop the sexual exploitation of children within the direct supply chain.
Local supplies: Accommodations are encouraged to purchase and use local food products, produced based on fair trade and sustainability principles.
Care for biodiversity: Accommodation limits its negative effect on local and global biodiversity wherever possible.
Authentic charm: The accommodation incorporates elements of local art, architecture or cultural heritage into its building.
Community value: Accommodation respects the intellectual property rights of local communities and contributes to the local community in whatever way it can (e.g. sponsorship of local events, donations to local heritage sites). If a contracted accommodation is found to jeopardise the integrity and access of the local community to essential resources, essential services, access to livelihoods and access to important sites, we reserve the right to terminate the contract without notice.

4. Stimulating improvement in sustainable practices
Our company follows a long-term strategy to improve the sustainability of accommodation. Upon request or on our own initiative, we support collaborative initiatives with other tour operators and/or stakeholders to promote the sustainability of accommodation. Whenever possible, we talk to those in charge of the accommodations about their current practices and what they can do to follow more sustainable practices (for example, through a visit by a member of our company or our guides).
In addition, we can share best practice standards and guidelines with accommodations, including:
- Information on our sustainability certifications
- Self-assessment tools
- Training manuals

5. Sanctions
If we become aware that an accommodation operates on the basis of unsustainable practices, our company will warn it. If that provider does not change its practice, our company will end any form of collaboration (informal and contractual) and blacklist that company from any other association.

Sustainable Tours and Excursions Policy

Our company is committed to promoting sustainable tours and visits. The sustainability of a tour / visit provider is of key importance as it allows our company to extend the practice of sustainability to a core element of our tours / supply chain. When selecting tours / visits / activities for clients, it is our policy to recommend the most sustainable options within their budget. When we have the opportunity to select tours / visits, we will give preference to companies that follow sustainable practices in all aspects of their operation.

1. Scope of application
This policy will form part of the Sustainability Policy. The policy is applicable to the selection of tour / visit suppliers with whom our company collaborates. This policy shall come into effect immediately upon its approval by the Board and dissemination to our Employees. The policy will be formally reviewed every two years to ensure its relevance. Any changes to this policy must be duly authorised.

2. Principles of sustainable excursions / visits
In our effort to select the most sustainable tour providers available, we prefer companies that follow these fundamental principles:

• The right product at the right price: The place to visit is hygienic, sanitary and safe and is able to offer good comfort and service to match our clients' expectations. Sustainable touring / visiting practices can be found in all price ranges; therefore we aim to identify the most sustainable options available within our client's budget. 
• Fair business: The organising company follows fair business practices, including transparency and compliance with the law, human rights and economic/social equity, as well as environmental and animal protection.
• Minimises impact on environment and society: The organising company places a high priority on sustainable practices, with the aim of minimising their effect on the surrounding environment and society.

3. General sustainability considerations
Sustainable practices can be found in all budget ranges. Therefore, our company mainly analyses their practices to identify the most responsible suppliers. Evaluations of the tours marketed by our company can be done in several ways:
- Information given by our Local Agents
- Site visit by our company's sustainability coordinator/manager
- Comments from our local guide/representative
- Customer feedback form
The following considerations will be taken into account in the evaluation of the Local Agents, organizers of the excursions / visits and will serve as a basis for the preference of our company:
Human care: We aim to work with companies that take good care of their human resources, which is of fundamental importance for the tourism sector. We therefore assess whether the supplier maintains good working conditions for their staff (minimum wage, reasonable working hours, adequate lunch hours, etc.).
No-plastic policy: The tour / visit organisers minimise the use of plastic and, as a common practice, do not offer plastic water bottles to their customers. Instead the supplier provides places where guests can fill the jugs that are provided in the room and their own bottles.
Waste management: Preference will be given to suppliers who have and adhere to a waste separation policy and ideally do not limit themselves to separating organic waste for composting and plastic for recycling.
Energy efficiency: Preference will be given to suppliers who follow energy efficient practices, such as energy saving light bulbs
energy-saving light bulbs and energy-efficient equipment and advising their customers on the optimal use of electricity.
Protection of children: Organisers of excursions / visits must ensure that the rights of children are respected and safeguarded. We do not work with suppliers who employ children under the age of 14, and those who employ children between the ages of 15 and 18 must ensure that special working conditions are in place to protect them (e.g. part-time or on a work placement basis). We condemn the exploitation of children and will terminate any contract if the supplier fails to take adequate measures to prevent and/or stop the sexual exploitation of children within the direct supply chain.
Local supplies: Organisers of tours / visits are encouraged to purchase and use local food products, produced based on fair trade and sustainability principles.
Care for biodiversity: Tour / visit organisers limit their negative effect on local and global biodiversity wherever possible.
Authentic charm: Tour/visit organisers incorporate elements of local art, architecture or cultural heritage into activities.
Community value: Tour / visit organisers respect the intellectual property rights of local communities and contribute to the local community in whatever way they can (e.g. sponsorship of local events, donations to local heritage sites). If a contracted supplier is found to undermine the integrity and access of the local community to essential resources, essential services, access to livelihoods and access to important sites, we reserve the right to terminate the contract without notice.

4. Stimulating improvement in sustainable practices
Our company follows a long-term strategy to improve the sustainability of tour / visit organisers. Upon request or on our own initiative, we support collaborative initiatives with other tour operators and/or stakeholders to promote the sustainability of tours / visits in our destinations. Whenever possible, we talk to tour organisers about their current practices and what they can do to follow more sustainable practices (e.g. through a visit by a member of our company or our guides). In addition, we may share best practice standards and guidelines with our tour / visit organisers, including:
- Information on our sustainability certifications
- Self-assessment tools
- Training manuals

5. Sanctions
If we become aware that a tour operator acts on the basis of unsustainable practices, our company will warn him/her. If that provider does not change its practice, our company will terminate any form of collaboration (informal and contractual) and blacklist that company from any other association. 

(update: 5 April 2023)

Find out more about Sustainable Tourism with the World Tourism Organization.
We thank you.
But, above all, the Planet thanks you!