Our Sustainability
Why?
At the heart of this Sustainability Policy is Traveo’s mission to take active measures to protect the natural environment and minimize the negative impact tourism can have on our destinations.
We recognise that the natural environment of our country is our greatest asset. It is fundamental to our continuous growth and viability that the environment is managed in a sustainable way.
Our ambition is to develop more responsible practices and use long-term planning as a guiding principle in all aspects of our work.
We understand the impact that our operations may have. For that reason, we seek to proactively ensure that we are as locally sustainable as possible. This is to maintain biodiversity, avoid damaging our natural environment and create value for the company itself, society, and the environment.
Travelife Partnership
On December 19th, 2024, we received the Travelife Partner level award. The award recognizes our long-term efforts regarding sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.
We comply with more than 100 criteria, related to an operator’s office management, product range, international business partners and customer information. The Travelife Partner level standard is covering the ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility themes, including environment, biodiversity, human rights and labour relation.
We are working towards further improvements aiming to eventually reach the Travelife Certified stage.
Travelife is a three-stage certification program for tour operators and travel agents: (1) Travelife Engaged; (2) Travelife Partner and (3) Travelife Certified. We are at stage 2 – Travelife Partner. We are working to move forward to stage 3 – Travelife Certified
See our Travelife Certificate HERE.
United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development
Aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Traveo Iceland actively commits to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. These goals center on the three pillars of sustainable development: economy, society, and the environment. Our Sustainability Policy is strategically centered around targets relevant to our operations to ensure dedicated participation in achieving these goals.
Environment
Specifically addressing the environmental component of our Sustainability Policy, Traveo aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Responsible Consumption and Production
Our objective is to minimize waste across all our operations through the adoption of effective waste management practices: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Since its establishment in 2019, Traveo has operated as a paperless business, prioritizing the electronic creation and distribution of all documents, from accounting to signatures, travel documents, and brochures—eliminating the need for printing altogether.
Within our office, we actively participate in recycling initiatives for paper, plastic, bottles, cans, and aluminum. Additionally, we exclusively procure environmentally friendly cleaning products. To further reduce waste, employees are encouraged to utilize reusable water glasses and coffee cups.
Affordable and Clean Energy
Our office in Iceland exclusively utilizes electricity and central heating sourced from renewable energy. The majority of Iceland’s energy is derived from renewable sources—approximately 70% from hydropower plants and 30% from geothermal energy. Specifically, 90% of Iceland’s central heating relies on geothermal energy, complemented by approximately 10% from electricity.
Clean water and sanitation, Climate action, Life below water & Life on Land
Preserving the natural environment is our utmost priority, benefiting both us and our visitors. Operating in a sustainable manner safeguards ecosystems, sustaining biodiversity on land and underwater.
Through sustainable practices and partnerships with like-minded operators, we collectively reduce our environmental footprint and that of our clients. This commitment contributes to climate action, promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.
Traveo is dedicated to embracing responsible practices and fostering trust through transparent communication with suppliers, local communities, and customers. We prioritize suppliers with recognized sustainability certifications and actively support environmentally conscious local accommodations. Across all our destinations, we actively encourage and guide visitors to treat the environment with care and respect.
Social responsibility
Traveo is deeply committed to fulfilling its responsibility to destinations, communities, and the environment, a commitment integral to our operations. Our social responsibility revolves around supporting and enhancing sustainable tourism in all the destinations where we operate and offer tours.
By doing so, we actively contribute to promoting cultural diversity and creating diverse employment opportunities in local communities. Our efforts extend to strengthening both urban and remote economies.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals relevant to the social responsibility aspect of our Sustainability Policy include:
Good health and well-being
Traveo prioritizes work-life balance with a policy promoting employee well-being through measures like flexible working hours, a hot-desking office space, working from home and a 7-hour workday. We foster a welcoming and equal atmosphere, treating employees with respect and creating a pleasant working environment.
Gender equality
Traveo’s commitment to equality aligns with legal standards, prioritizing equal rights for all. Our goal is to provide equal opportunities, cultivating an inclusive work environment that nurtures work-life balance and individual development. We value employees regardless of gender or other protected characteristics, evaluating based on pertinent skills and experience. Upholding equal status and rights for all genders, our decisions on remuneration, recruitment, and professional development adhere to neutral and unbiased practices.
Decent work and economic growth
Tourism serves as a cornerstone for the economies of many destinations, influencing their social and natural landscapes. This places a heightened responsibility on Traveo to adopt a sustainable approach across all our operations.
We meticulously select local suppliers that adhere to rigorous standards, ensuring the safety quality and comfort of our clients. Traveo actively combats tourism leakage by prioritizing local businesses, such as accommodations and restaurants, directing revenue back into the communities we serve.
Our tour marketing strategies prioritize actively reducing the negative impact of tourism on local and natural environments—an integral aspect of our business. We continually innovate, developing products and processes to minimize the impact of travel on local environments and residents while highlighting the positive contributions of tourism.
Listening to local communities is central to our approach. Understanding environmental concerns and the impact of tourism on daily life informs our education efforts for visitors. Traveo ensures that all marketing materials are transparent, with staff delivering only what we can confidently provide to our clients. Our commitment to responsible tourism is a driving force in supporting the well-being of both the destinations and their residents.
Guides and Agency Partnerships
At Traveo, we do not directly employ guides; instead, we collaborate with licensed agencies to provide guiding services. The working conditions for guides are governed not by individual contracts but by Icelandic law and collective union agreements, ensuring consistent and equitable standards for all guides. These legal frameworks establish mandatory work conditions, leaving no room for deviations.
To further our commitment to sustainability, we exclusively partner with agencies that comply with these laws and uphold ethical practices. We also share our Sustainability Policy with all partner agencies and provide them with a detailed checklist of sustainability information to be communicated to our clients during tours. This ensures that our values and commitment to sustainable tourism are reflected at every stage of the client experience.
Commitment to Ethical Partnerships with Accommodation Providers
Traveo is deeply committed to ensuring that our partners uphold the highest standards of sustainability and ethical conduct. Should we become aware that an accommodation provider compromises the delivery or quality of essential services—such as food, water, energy, healthcare, or soil—to the surrounding communities, we will promptly terminate our contract with them.
We only collaborate with accommodation providers who prioritize the sustainability of their operations and the well-being of their communities. Furthermore, if we become aware of any accommodation provider engaging in or facilitating inappropriate conduct or exploitation of minors, we will immediately sever ties with them. The safety and rights of children are paramount, and we are dedicated to maintaining partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards.
Sustainable Excursion Policy in Collaboration with the Local Community
Our organization is committed to promoting sustainable tourism practices that benefit both the local community and travelers. In line with this commitment, we recognize the importance of involving the local community in the planning and development of excursions and activities. By collaborating with locals, we aim to minimize misunderstandings, maximize socio-economic benefits, and provide enriching experiences for travelers while preserving the cultural and environmental integrity of the destinations we visit.
Key Principles:
- Respect for Local Traditions:
- Encourage respectful exchanges with local people to foster cultural understanding and appreciation.
- Include visits to local arts and crafts venues to support local artisans and promote traditional craftsmanship.
- Offer food that reflects the region’s cuisine, supporting local farmers and culinary traditions.
- Always seek permission before taking photos to respect privacy and cultural sensitivities.
- Respect for the Environment:
- Ensure compliance with regulations of protected areas, such as national parks, to minimize environmental impact.
- Give preference to slow, non-motorized means of transport, such as hiking or cycling, to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly travel.
- Limit group sizes to respect the carrying capacity of visited sites and minimize overcrowding.
- Leave no rubbish on-site and provide opportunities for waste reduction, such as refilling water bottles and offering locally sourced snacks.
- Respect for Animal Welfare:
- Refrain from offering excursions involving the exploitation or performance of animals.
- Maintain a respectful distance between guests and wildlife to ensure the well-being of animals and promote responsible wildlife tourism.
- Support for the Local Economy:
- Encourage the purchase of locally made arts and crafts to support local artisans and preserve cultural heritage.
- Patronize locally owned restaurants that source ingredients from local farmers, contributing to the local economy.
- Prioritize hiring local workers and guides to ensure that tourism activities maximize economic benefits for the community.
- Awareness of Cultural and Environmental Sensitivities:
- Collaborate with locals to provide information about local history, culture, traditions, and etiquette to travelers.
- Employ locals and specialists to educate travelers on local flora and fauna, history, architecture, economy, and cuisine.
- Ensure guests are aware of and respect environmental and cultural sensitivities through pre-departure briefings and on-site guidance.
- Contracting Requirements for Excursion Providers:
- Activity providers must be locally owned and based in the community to ensure direct economic benefits to local stakeholders.
- Prefer activity providers with internationally recognized sustainability certifications to demonstrate commitment to responsible tourism practices.
- Require activity providers to offer a fair working environment for employees, including licensed tour guides, and provide opportunities for training and professional development.
- Ensure that activity providers respect children’s rights and do not employ persons under the age of 14.
- Verify that activity providers do not impede access to basic services or negatively impact local communities’ access to natural and cultural resources.
- Require activity providers to minimize negative effects on local and global biodiversity and prioritize the use of qualified local guides, especially in culturally and ecologically sensitive destinations.
By implementing this sustainable excursion policy in collaboration with the local community and adhering to stringent contracting requirements for excursion providers, our organization aims to promote responsible tourism practices that benefit both the community and travelers alike.
Future goals
At Traveo, the pursuit of improvement is ingrained in our ethos. Recognizing that there’s always room for advancement, especially in sustainability, we consistently strive to surpass our own standards. This commitment drives our ongoing efforts to make our operations more sustainable and reduce our environmental impact continually.
For questions or comments about our Sustainability Policy, please contact our sustainability coordinator, Jonathan Guisset at jonathan(at)traveo.is
