Sustainability Policy

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to evolve and strengthen our business relationships, always keeping continuous improvement and sustainability awareness at the core of our operations.

We aim to minimise and mitigate negative environmental impacts while actively contributing to our local community and to society as a whole.

OUR SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

As a travel agency working in partnership with various sectors and tourism stakeholders (tour guides, accommodation providers, transport companies, restaurants, monuments and activity providers), IN TOURS PORTUGAL recognizes its fundamental role in the sustainable development of tourism.

We are committed to promoting sustainability by following, implementing and encouraging best practices in order to maximize the positive impacts and minimize the negative impacts of our tourism operations, while influencing our clients and partners to do the same.

This policy applies to the entire company, from operations to management, and is structured around ten key areas consisting of guiding principles and practical actions.

1. Sustainability Management and Legal Compliance

We commit to:

Appointing a staff member responsible for sustainability coordination;
Communicating our sustainability mission to clients, partners and suppliers;
Maintaining a written and accessible sustainability policy;
Actively participating in external forums and working groups related to sustainable tourism;
Regularly evaluating the company’s sustainability performance;
Implementing sustainability guidelines and assessment systems for key suppliers;
Developing a sustainability action plan with clear goals, responsibilities and timelines;
Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of sustainability objectives and targets;
Ensuring transparency in all communications;
Ensuring all employees are fully aware of and committed to implementing this policy.

We comply with all applicable national laws, regulations and codes of practice.

2. Internal Management: Social Policy and Human Rights

Social Commitment

We adopt a clear internal social policy that includes:

Employment contracts in accordance with national legislation;
Wages equal to or above the national minimum wage;
Overtime compensation in line with legal requirements;
Health and liability insurance in accordance with national legislation;
Paid annual leave and sick leave;
A workplace health and safety policy;
First-aid kits and trained personnel;
Documented grievance procedures;
A system to measure employee satisfaction;
Regular training on health, safety, rights and responsibilities;
Internship opportunities;
Encouragement of employment opportunities for people with special needs.

Human Rights

We commit to:

Respecting freedom of association and collective bargaining;
Prohibiting discrimination in recruitment, employment conditions, training, promotion or termination based on gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion/belief or sexual orientation;
Ensuring equal opportunities and access to professional development.

3. Internal Management: Environment and Community Relations

We commit to:

Reducing the use of consumables and single-use products;
Prioritising sustainable goods and services;
Reducing paper consumption and promoting digital solutions;
Using environmentally friendly cleaning products where available;
Measuring, monitoring and reducing energy consumption;
Calculating and compensating CO₂ emissions;
Implementing energy-efficient solutions and equipment;
Reducing water consumption and installing water-saving devices;
Complying with national waste legislation and implementing recycling practices;
Reducing single-use plastic consumption;
Encouraging sustainable mobility and remote working;
Properly maintaining company vehicles to reduce emissions;
Providing staff guidance on environmental responsibilities;
Supporting the protection of historical, cultural and archaeological heritage.

4. Partner Agency

Based on an inventory of our main partners, we develop and implement policies to improve their sustainability performance.

We commit to:

Maintaining an overview of sustainability practices among key partners;
Working preferably with organisations that actively implement sustainability policies;
Raising awareness among partners regarding Travelife and national tourism standards;
Regularly assessing partners’ sustainability practices;
Ensuring partners comply with national laws protecting employees’ rights;
Integrating sustainability criteria into product development and operations.

5. Transport

We recognise transport as a key aspect of sustainable tourism.

We commit to:

Selecting more sustainable transport options whenever possible;
Giving preference to lower-impact alternatives while considering price, comfort and practicality;
Integrating and promoting sustainable travel packages including sustainable transport, accommodation and activities.

6. Accommodation

We prioritise accommodation providers that:

Have signed sustainability agreements;
Implement water, energy and waste management programmes;
Operate energy-reduction systems;
Maintain sustainable supply chains;
Have child protection policies in place;
Provide health and safety training to staff.

We further commit to:

Encouraging internationally recognised sustainability certifications (e.g., GSTC-recognised or Travelife);
Preferring locally owned and managed accommodation;
Promoting employment of local communities;
Ensuring children’s rights are respected throughout our supply chain;
Supporting accommodation that integrates local art, architecture and cultural heritage.

7. Excursions and Activities

IN TOURS PORTUGAL values animal welfare and community well-being and aims to organise tours with minimal environmental footprint.

We commit to:

Informing guides about responsible behaviour standards;
Communicating sustainability requirements to suppliers through codes of conduct and meetings;
Working with qualified and/or certified guides in sensitive cultural and ecological sites;
Promoting activities that directly support local communities and traditional production methods.

8. Tour Leaders, Representatives and Local Guides

We commit to:

Ensuring partners comply with applicable laws and regulations;
Hiring qualified local guides and staff under fair working conditions and decent wages;
Providing regular training opportunities;
Promoting respect for human rights, cultural heritage, environmental protection and prevention of child exploitation in tourism.

9. Destination

We aim to maximise positive impacts and minimise negative impacts in the destinations where we operate.

We commit to:

Integrating sustainability criteria in the selection of new destinations;
Avoiding destinations with structural negative tourism impacts (unless clear mitigation benefits exist);
Supporting local sustainable initiatives;
Complying with land-use regulations and protected area requirements;
Educating guests about responsible purchasing and discouraging illegal souvenirs.

10. Communication and Customer Protection

Before Booking

We commit to:

Providing clear and transparent information;
Protecting customer privacy;
Ensuring marketing communications are honest and accurate;
Clearly presenting sustainable options when available.

During the Trip

We commit to:

Informing customers about local culture, heritage and sustainability aspects;
Providing emergency contact information;
Offering guidance on health and safety matters;
Encouraging responsible local consumption;
Informing clients about legal restrictions regarding protected flora, fauna and cultural artefacts.

After the Trip

We commit to:

Measuring customer satisfaction;
Integrating sustainability into feedback surveys;
Maintaining clear complaint procedures.

RESPONSIBILITY AND CONTACT

All employees of IN TOURS PORTUGAL are responsible for implementing this Sustainability Policy within their respective departments.

Implementation is coordinated by Ânia Neves: operations.2@in-tours.com

Date: 10/02/2023

Effective Date: 10 February 2023

Elsa Diogo (General Director)

Ânia Neves (Sustainability Coordinator)