Sustainability Policy
INTRODUCTION
As an inbound Destination Management Company engaging with a wide range of stakeholders in tourism — travellers, tour guides, partner agencies, accommodations, transport providers, restaurants and attractions across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — Earthen Experiences understands its role and influence in the sustainable development of tourism.
We are committed to promoting sustainability throughout our operations and supply chain. We aim to follow, implement and promote good sustainability practices to maximise positive impacts and minimise negative impacts of our operations, and to influence our clients and partners to do the same.
Earthen Experiences is currently at the Travelife Engagement stage, working towards Travelife Partner/Certified status. This policy reflects our current commitments and is reviewed and updated annually as our sustainability action plan progresses.
Our Mission
“At Earthen Experiences LLP, we design journeys that respect the planet, empower local communities, and celebrate cultural heritage. Our mission is to create meaningful travel experiences that not only inspire our guests but also protect our natural and cultural treasures for future generations. Guided by the principles of responsibility, fairness, and care, we integrate sustainability into every aspect of our operations — from the suppliers we choose to the way we engage with our people and destinations.”Policy Contents
01 | Sustainability Management & Legal ComplianceWe commit to sustainability management through the following actions: — An appointed employee responsible for sustainability coordinator tasks (currently: Prithu Raj Adhikari, Sustainability Coordinator). — A sustainability mission statement communicated to customers, partners and suppliers. — A written sustainability policy that aims to reduce the negative social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts of our activities. — Active collaboration in external forums and working groups that support sustainability in tourism. — A sustainability action plan with clear targets, actions, measures, responsibilities and timelines. — Documented procedures to monitor and evaluate implementation of our sustainability policy and targets. — Transparency in sustainability through public reporting and communication. — Ensuring all staff are fully aware of our Sustainability Policy and committed to implementing and improving it. — Complying with all applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice in India and in each country where we operate. |
02 | Internal Management: Social Policy & Human RightsWe commit to a clear, written and well-communicated social policy that includes: — Freedom of employment and contract termination with notice (minimum one month) and without penalty. — Employment contracts that include labour conditions in line with applicable Indian labour law and a full job description. — Medical and liability insurance in accordance with applicable law. — Fixed paid annual leave, sick leave and unpaid leave entitlements. — A health and safety policy for employees that complies with applicable legal standards, including first aid kits and trained staff at all relevant locations. — Regular employee satisfaction measurement and periodic health, safety and emergency training for all staff. — Opportunities for students through traineeships, internships or apprenticeships. — Encouragement of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Human Rights: — No hindrance of trade union membership or collective labour negotiations. — Prohibition of discrimination in recruitment, training, promotion or employment conditions on the basis of gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. — Equal access for all employees to resources and personal development opportunities.
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03 | Internal Management: Environment & Community Relations— Actively reduce the use of disposable and single-use consumer goods; give preference to sustainable, bulk-purchased goods and services. — Set printing machines to double-sided by default; adopt a digital-first distribution policy for brochures where possible. — Measure, monitor and actively reduce energy and water consumption; use energy-efficient lighting and switch off when not in use. — Calculate and offset CO₂ emissions; purchase green energy where available. — Develop and implement a solid waste reduction and recycling policy; reduce non-refillable plastic water bottles; properly dispose of batteries and chemicals. — Financially encourage staff to use public transport; reduce travel-related impacts through remote work and video meetings. — Contribute to the protection and preservation of local historical, archaeological, cultural and spiritually significant properties and sites. — Provide periodic guidance and training to all staff on their environmental responsibilities. |
04 | Partner Agency— Keep a record of the sustainability practices of all partner accommodations and agents. — Only work with organisations genuinely implementing sustainability within their tourism policy. — Inform key partners about Travelife and relevant national tourism standards, and motivate them to participate in sustainability trainings. — Evaluate the sustainability practices of key partners on a regular basis. — Include sustainability clauses in all partner contracts — covering child labour, anti-corruption, waste management and biodiversity protection. — Include clauses enabling premature contract termination if a partner fails to prevent the sexual exploitation of children. |
05 | Transport— Select the most sustainable transport options, considering price, comfort and environmental impact. — Include sustainable or public transport options for international and long-distance journeys where possible. — Give preference to more sustainable transport alternatives for transfers and excursions at the destination. — Integrate and promote sustainable holiday products that include sustainable transport, accommodations and activities. |
06 | AccommodationsWe select accommodations based on sustainability and quality standards, with focus on: — A signed sustainability contract and documented water saving, energy saving and waste management programmes. — A child protection policy, CSR activities and employee Health & Safety training in place. — Preference for locally owned and managed accommodations that employ local communities. — Motivating partner accommodations to become sustainably certified; giving preference to GSTC-recognised and Travelife-certified properties. — A zero-tolerance child protection clause in all accommodation contracts, enabling premature termination where adequate measures are not in place. — Working with accommodations that incorporate local art, architecture or cultural heritage while respecting intellectual property rights of local communities. — Terminating cooperation with any accommodation found to jeopardise the provision of basic services — food, water, energy or healthcare — to neighbouring communities. |
07 | Excursions & Activities— Maintain an inventory of environmentally or culturally sensitive excursions in each destination. — Advise guests on behaviour standards during excursions, with focus on respecting local culture, nature and the environment. — Not offer any excursions that harm humans, animals, plants or natural resources, or which are socially or culturally unacceptable. — Not offer excursions in which wildlife is held captive, except for properly regulated activities in compliance with local and international law. — Use skilled and certified guides at sensitive cultural sites, heritage sites or ecologically sensitive destinations. — Promote and advise guests on excursions and activities that directly support local communities and the local environment. |
08 | Tour Leaders, Local Representatives & Guides— Ensure all employees have a written employment contract with full labour conditions and job description. — Prefer local tour leaders, guides, drivers, cooks and other local staff where they are of equal ability, and provide training as required. — Pay contracted local staff at least a living wage equal to or above the legal minimum or relevant industry standard. — Ensure local employees are informed of our sustainability policy through newsletters, contract supplements or training sessions. — Offer a dedicated sustainable travel training module to local tour guides and hosts. — Have tour leaders and guides inform clients on sustainability matters, social norms, cultural values and human rights — including the avoidance of sexual exploitation of children. |
09 | Destination— Consider sustainability aspects in the selection of new destinations; offer alternative, non-mainstream destinations where possible. — Not select destinations where tourism leads to structural negative local effects, unless our involvement results in clear counter-balancing benefits. — Comply with spatial planning, protected area and heritage regulations, as well as destination management strategies of local and national authorities. — Support biodiversity conservation through financial contribution, advocacy and integration into our product offering. — Not promote souvenirs containing threatened flora or fauna species (CITES/IUCN Red List), or historic and archaeological artefacts, except as permitted by law. |
10 | Customer Communication & ProtectionPrior to Booking: — Ensure customer privacy is not compromised; comply with relevant standards in marketing and advertising. — Make product and price information clear, complete and accurate — including sustainability claims. — Inform clients about the environmental impact of different transport options and offer sustainable alternatives where available. — Clearly inform customers about our sustainability commitments and actions. During the Holiday: — Provide information to guests about local culture, cultural heritage and the natural surroundings of the destination. — Keep a contact person and telephone number permanently available for emergency situations. — Provide clients with codes of conduct for sensitive excursions and activities. — Inform customers about commercial, sexual or any other form of exploitation — particularly involving children and adolescents. — Motivate clients to use local restaurants and shops and encourage donations to local sustainable initiatives. After the Holiday: — Systematically measure client satisfaction and incorporate results into service and product improvements. — Include sustainability as an integral part of client satisfaction research. — Maintain clear procedures for handling client complaints. |
