Socio-cultural
best practices:
Provides
clients with pre-trip socio-cultural information.
Seeks
culturally authentic attractions and educates clients about
local culture while on sites.
Actively
consults with local community members/stakeholders on shared
sustainability issues.
Does
not jeopardize the provision of basic services to local people
nor limits their access to local resources or culturally and
spiritually important sites.
Respects
local cultural lifestyles such as dress and food, and encourages
sensitivity in clients to the unique customs of the region. |
Environmental
best practices:
Provides
clients with pre-trip information on ecological issues and
attractions.
Demonstrates
correct knowledge, and respect for, plant and animal life in
day-to-day practices, and educates clients on local ecology
where appropriate.
Makes
monetary contributions to conservation efforts in the region.
Makes
physical (e.g., tree planting) contributions to conservation
efforts in the region.
Employs
measures to actively minimize impacts on the environment (e.g.,
carbon offsets).
Uses
vehicles with lower emissions; uses transportation wisely to
reduce environmental impact.
Uses
solar, wind, or other alternative energy sources in operations
at operator’s site and destination’s.
Actively
reduces, reuses and recycles at operator’s site and destination’s.
Uses
local and fair-trade goods and services. |
Economic
best practices:
Employs
local people, is equitable in hiring women and local minorities,
and pays fair wages, meeting or exceeding the highest local
standards.
Uses
companies that are locally owned/operated.
Uses
accommodations that have been built using local materials where
possible and minimize impact on the environment.
Uses
sustainable products at tour operator’s site and destination’s.
Implements
policies against child labor and commercial sexual exploitation.
Promotional
materials are accurate and complete and do not promise more
than can be reasonably expected by customers.
Consistently
emphasizes quality over quantity. |
Policy
and practice best practices:
Elicits
and follows up with feedback from clients during the trip.
Elicits
and follows up with feedback from clients after the trip.
Delivers
sustainability information to employees at operator’s
site and destination’s.
Requires
that employees attain industry certifications where appropriate
(e.g., wilderness first-aid).
Has
a risk management plan.
Provides
a safe environment for employees and clients at operator’s
site and destination’s.
Sets
appropriate client carrying capacities in line with the ability
of the environment to absorb the tour.
Seeks
to reform policy and/or practices in the environments in which
it operates when appropriate.
Sets
organizational mission, vision, and values that have a sustainable
orientation.
Follows
a written code of ethics.
Supports
sustainability programs in the community.
Works
to exceed compliance with current applicable regulations while
working in concert with broader local, regional, and national
policies.
Prioritizes
areas for continuous sustainability improvement at operator’s
site and destination’s. |
