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Sustainability & Regenerative Travel Policy

Sustainability Mission Statement

At Authenticities, we believe travel is a force for regeneration, capable of leaving the places, people and cultures it touches better than it found them. We go beyond minimizing harm: our ambition is to deliver a net positive contribution to the destinations we operate in, through low-impact, resource-efficient and community centered travel experiences.

We hold ourselves and our partners to the highest standards of ethical and sustainable practice, embedding the principles of regenerative tourism, circular resource use, biodiversity conservation and socio-economic inclusion into every itinerary we design. We aim to set the benchmark for responsible luxury travel, inspiring our guests, suppliers and industry peers to take meaningful, measurable action toward a more sustainable and regenerative future.

 

Purpose

This policy sets out our commitment to minimizing negative environmental and social impacts while maximizing our positive, regenerative contribution to local communities, culture, biodiversity and the natural environment. Its purpose is to guide the responsible management of resource consumption, the systematic reduction of our carbon footprint and the continuous improvement of sustainable practices and procedures across Authenticities, in line with the Travelife Sustainability System and GSTC-aligned criteria.

 

Scope

This policy applies to all Authenticities staff, offices and operations and guides how we engage with accommodation suppliers, transport suppliers, excursion providers, tour leaders and guides and destination communities across our itineraries. It does not apply to independent, non-contracted suppliers or third parties outside our direct operational control, though we actively encourage all partners to align with our sustainability and regenerative travel principles.

The Travelife Sustainability Coordinator, supported by the Sustainability Team, is responsible for implementing this policy, under the direction of Top Management and for embedding sustainability performance metrics across both companies.

 

Sustainability Management & Legal Compliance

Sustainability Commitment

Our leadership is wholly committed to the company’s sustainability performance and fully endorses the sustainability mission statement and this policy. We use the Travelife platform to report on, monitor and evaluate our sustainability progress and we commit to publicly communicating our sustainability performance, via the Travelife report, every two years.

Management & Legal Compliance

We commit to the continuous improvement of our sustainability and regenerative travel practices, including ongoing monitoring and evaluation of this policy, supported by dedicated personnel and resources aligned to clear sustainability goals and key performance indicators.

We comply with all applicable national legislation relating to human resources, human rights, children’s rights, land rights, environmental management, wildlife protection and land use.

 

Internal Management: Social Policy & Human Rights

Employees

We recognize our employees as our greatest asset in delivering meaningful, authentic travel experiences. We are committed to advancing gender equity, inclusion and fair opportunity throughout the organization. We ensure:

  • Legal compliance in all regards
  • A safe, healthy and welcoming workplace, including a health and safety policy for employees that complies with national legal standards
  • Fair contract conditions, including fair and equitable compensation
  • Medical and liability insurance in accordance with national law
  • Fixed annual leave entitlements for all employees
  • Equal opportunities in recruitment, employment conditions, access to training and progression to senior positions, with zero tolerance for discrimination on the basis of gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religious belief, or sexual orientation
  • No hindrance to trade union membership, collective labour negotiations, or representation of members by trade unions
  • Full compliance with national regulations concerning minimum age for admission to employment

 

Internal Management: Environment

Environmental Management of Office Operations

We are committed to keeping the direct environmental footprint of our business operations as minimal as possible, applying circular economy principles and resource efficiency measures across our offices. Our current measures include:

  • Full compliance with all national environmental regulations
  • Systematic measurement, monitoring and evaluation of resource consumption, including energy, water and office supplies
  • Use of clean, renewable energy in our offices, including solar power
  • Energy saving measures across all facilities, for example:
    • Natural lighting design in all common areas and offices to minimize daytime energy consumption
    • Energy-efficient equipment and lighting, switched off, unplugged, or set to sleep mode when not in use
  • Water saving measures in all common areas and restrooms, for example dual-flush toilets and faucet aerators
  • Regular measurement, monitoring and evaluation of waste generation from office operations
  • Active pursuit of solutions to strengthen our internal waste management and circularity
  • Waste reduction and single-use plastic elimination measures, including the phase-out of single-use plastics across our operations, use of reusable plates and ceramic cups in staff areas and encouraging employees to bring meals in reusable containers
  • Segregation of waste into plastic/polythene, organic and paper/cardboard streams, with dedicated bins for each; metal, glass and e-waste are collected and disposed of responsibly through the municipality or authorized third-party recyclers as they arise
  • Local, seasonal, bulk procurement of office supplies with minimal packaging and sustainability-certified products wherever available
  • Print only when necessary, with double-sided, grayscale printing as standard
  • FSC/PEFC or equivalent-certified paper
Carbon Management of Office Operations

We commit to reducing our carbon footprint and advancing toward carbon neutrality by:

  • Minimizing business travel wherever possible, favouring virtual meetings
  • Measuring and monitoring our carbon footprint, with the aim of reducing emissions at source and insetting the remainder
  • Where emissions cannot be avoided or reduced at source, as a company we take part in carefully selected, independently monitored and recognized carbon offset projects that deliver genuine, verifiable environmental and social benefit. This is a deliberate commitment made by the company to support high-integrity projects creating real, measurable positive impact, not a routine transaction attached to every itinerary or client booking and not a mechanism to simply balance our books.
  • Operating a largely electric vehicle (EV) fleet to reduce transport-related emissions across our operations
  • Encouraging employees to reduce their personal carbon footprint through low-carbon and eco-friendly modes of transport
  • Regular maintenance and emissions monitoring of company vehicles to ensure compliance with legal emission standards and optimal fuel efficienc
Land Use
  • We comply with all local land use, zoning and protected or heritage area laws and regulations, respect local cultural and natural resources in our operations and favour sustainable, climate resilient architecture and design
  • We base the planning, design and construction of new buildings or renovations on locally appropriate, low-impact and sustainable practices and materials
  • We contribute to the protection and preservation of local historical, archaeological, cultural and spiritually significant sites and do not impede resident access to them

 

Suppliers & Partners

General Suppliers
  • We are committed to sourcing products and services responsibly, avoiding harmful impacts on society, culture and nature and we expect the same level of commitment from our suppliers
  • We prioritize suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability and regenerative travel, evidenced by a written sustainability statement or a clear sustainability policy of their own
  • We prioritize suppliers in our destinations who are locally owned or managed, use local and seasonal products and services and benefit the local economy through equitable local hiring and fair working conditions
  • Wherever possible, we select suppliers that hold tourism specific, internationally recognized (GSTC-accredited) certifications or other credible sustainability certifications
  • We offer marketing benefits to partners actively engaged in sustainable and regenerative operations
  • We require all suppliers to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, covering:
    • Compliance with all national regulations
    • Respect for all human rights, including labour rights, children’s rights and women’s rights
    • Fair employment conditions
    • Anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-extortion and anti-discrimination practices
    • Protection of children from sexual exploitation in tourism
    • Protection of the environment, biodiversity and natural resources
    • Acting in the best interests of local communities
  • We immediately terminate relationships with suppliers who violate our policies or Code of Conduct, particularly through acts of bribery, corruption, discrimination, or human rights violations
  • We raise awareness among our suppliers to adopt sound social and environmental practices and to minimize their carbon footprint
  • We actively collaborate with suppliers to strengthen their sustainability performance, supporting continuous learning wherever possible
  • We maintain open communication with suppliers and partners, welcoming feedback at any time, particularly on sustainability
Partner Agencies
  • We only work with partner agencies that adhere to our Code of Conduct
  • We expect our partner agencies to act in the best interests of surrounding communities, the environment and our guests throughout the development and operation of our travel packages
  • We provide partner agencies with sustainability learning and management opportunities, including free access to the Travelife online learning and reporting platform
Transport
  • We only work with transport providers that adhere to our Code of Conduct
  • When selecting transport for guests and business travel, we choose the most sustainable options available, considering distance, price, route and comfort
  • We have implemented clear guidelines to reduce GHG emissions from transport, including:
    • Avoiding domestic flights wherever possible
    • Prioritizing public transportation, balancing price, route and comfort wherever possible
    • Using appropriately sized, fuel-efficient vehicles for each group and favouring our electric vehicle fleet where feasible
    • Training drivers in eco-driving techniques to reduce fuel consumption and emissions
Accommodations
  • We only work with accommodations that adhere to our Code of Conduct
  • We assess accommodation suppliers on their sustainability management systems and their social and environmental footprint as part of our selection process
  • We favour accommodations that protect land use and respectfully showcase local architecture, customs and traditions
  • We favour accommodations that apply cradle-to-cradle and circular design principles in construction, alongside elements of natural, climate-responsive architecture
Activities & Excursions
  • We only work with excursion providers that adhere to our Code of Conduct
  • All excursions and activities run by or on behalf of us respect local customs, traditions, cultural integrity and natural resources
  • We do not offer excursions that harm people, wildlife, the environment, or natural resources such as water and energy
  • We give preference to excursions and activities that benefit local communities, respect animal welfare and support environmental and biodiversity protection
  • We maintain clear Codes of Conduct for environmentally and culturally sensitive excursions, communicated to guests and implemented by excursion providers and guides
  • We provide excursion and attraction providers with sustainability learning opportunities, including free access to the Travelife online learning and reporting platform
Tour Leaders, Local Representatives and Guides
  • We hire qualified local guides, chauffeurs, drivers and other local staff, paying living wages and providing safe, fair working conditions
  • We recognize guides as key intermediaries between guests and the socio-cultural and environmental context of each destination and ensure all guides receive regular training
  • Our tour leaders, local representatives and guides inform guests on relevant sustainability matters (e.g. protection of flora, fauna and cultural heritage and responsible resource use), social norms and values (e.g. tipping, dress code, photography) and human rights (e.g. prevention of sexual exploitation)
  • We provide guides with sustainability learning opportunities, including free access to the Travelife online learning platform

 

Destinations

Sustainable & Regenerative Destinations
  • We factor sustainability into our destination selection process and, where possible, offer alternative, non-mainstream destinations to ease pressure on over visited sites
  • We comply with protected area and heritage regulations, as well as destination management strategies set by local, regional and national authorities
  • We support biodiversity conservation and biodiversity net gain, including protected areas and high biodiversity zones, through financial contribution and integration into our product offering
  • We do not operate in destinations with a questionable human rights track record
Contribution to Local Communities & the Local Economic Network

We commit to a positive, regenerative contribution to the destinations in which we operate by:

  • Sourcing locally and responsibly and supporting local and traditional arts and culture
  • Encouraging guests to shop responsibly and educating them about illegal or prohibited souvenirs
  • Investing in rural education initiatives that strengthen livelihoods and opportunity in the communities where we operate
  • Collaborating with local tourism stakeholders including local government, academia, community groups and other stakeholders to advance sustainable and community-led tourism development
  • Respecting and advocating for all human rights (including children’s rights, women’s rights and labour rights) as well as land rights
Environmental Stewardship in Destinations

We commit to environmental stewardship and regenerative practice in the destinations in which we operate by:

  • Ensuring natural resources and ecosystems remain intact and, where possible, supporting their restoration
  • Educating guests on the principles of responsible and regenerative travel and responsible visitor behavior

 

Customer Communication and Protection

Privacy

Customer protection is a priority. We maintain a clear privacy policy to ensure:

  • Legal compliance in all regards
  • Protection of customers and their data
  • Transparency with customers on how their information is used
Marketing and Communication
  • We strive to be truthful in all situations and at all times, offering products and services that deliver on our communicated claims
  • We honour our explicit and implicit commitments and promises
  • We are anti-greenwashing and stand fully behind our sustainability and regenerative travel claims
  • We are inclusive and representative in our marketing, taking into account cultural, religious and ethnic sensitivities
Sustainability Communication

We keep customers informed about the social and environmental impact of their journey and educate them on the sustainable choices available to them, including transparent communication on:

  • Certified accommodations
  • Activities and excursions that benefit local communities and support environmental protection
  • Responsible shopping and illegal souvenirs
Customer Experience

We aim for every customer experience to be positive, guided by strict health and safety, marketing and excursion policies. These policies cover (but are not limited to):

  • Health and safety
  • Emergency procedures
  • Privacy
  • Group numbers
  • Transport
  • Shopping
  • Prevention of sexual exploitation
  • Children in tourism
  • Satisfaction and complaints

We maintain open lines of communication with our customers and welcome feedback at any time, particularly on sustainability.

 

Contact / Responsible Person

  • All staff are responsible for the ownership and application of this policy
  • All staff are responsible for promoting and implementing this sustainability policy within their departments

Implementation of this policy is led by the Sustainability Coordinator, Sathsara Panchali, who can be reached at sathsara@renewbyauthenticities.earth.

 

Definitions

GSTC – Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Regenerative travel – An approach to tourism that goes beyond sustainability’s goal of “doing no harm,” aiming instead to leave the environments, communities and cultures visited measurably better off than before.
Circular economy – An economic model that minimizes waste and maximizes resource reuse, repair and recycling, in contrast to a linear take-make-dispose approach.
Cradle to Cradle Design – A design approach where materials and products are created to be fully reused, recycled, or safely returned to nature at the end of their life, eliminating the concept of “waste” entirely.
Natural Architecture – Building design that draws on natural materials, forms and local building traditions, minimizing reliance on synthetic or heavily processed materials.
Climate Responsive Architecture – Building design that responds to local climate conditions (sun, wind, rainfall, temperature) to naturally regulate indoor comfort, reducing dependence on artificial heating, cooling, or lighting.
Carbon Insetting – Reducing or removing carbon emissions through projects located within the company’s own value chain and operations, as opposed to offsetting, which funds emission reductions elsewhere.
Carbon Offsetting – Investing in independently verified projects outside the company’s own operations that remove or avoid greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Effective Date and Revision History

  • Document Version: 01
  • Effective Date: 22nd September 2026
  • Next Review Date: 21st September 2027

 

Read the original document here.