SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

1. Sustainability Management & Legal Compliance Dahomey African Tours is dedicated to the effective management of sustainability through the following initiatives:

· Appointing a dedicated employee to oversee sustainability coordination tasks.
· Communicating a sustainability mission statement to customers, partners, and suppliers.
· Formulating an accessible and written sustainability policy aimed at reducing the negative social, cultural, economic, and environmental impacts of the company’s activities, including considerations for employee health and safety.
· Actively participating in external forums and working groups that advocate for sustainability in the tourism sector.
· Conducting a baseline assessment of the company’s performance in sustainable practices.
· Implementing sustainability guidelines and an assessment system to evaluate the sustainability performance of key suppliers and partners.
· Establishing a sustainability action plan with defined targets, actions, measures, responsibilities, and timelines.
· Developing documented procedures to monitor and evaluate the implementation of sustainability policies, objectives, and targets.
· Ensuring transparency in sustainability through public reporting and communication.
· Ensuring that all staff members are fully aware of the Sustainability Policy and are committed to its implementation and continuous improvement.

Dahomey African Tours pledges to adhere to all relevant national legislation, regulations, and industry codes of practice.

2. Internal Management: Social Policy & Human Rights Dahomey African Tours is committed to maintaining sustainable internal management through the establishment of a clear, written, and effectively communicated social policy. This commitment includes:

· Affording employees the freedom to terminate employment contracts with notice (preferably a minimum of one month) and without penalty.
· Incorporating labor conditions in alignment with national labor laws and including a job description in employment contracts.
· Specifying wage rates in contracts, ensuring they are equal to or above the national legal wage.
· Determining and compensating overtime working hours based on mutual agreement.
· Providing medical and liability insurance in accordance with national laws.
· Granting employees fixed paid yearly holidays, sick leave, and an allowance for unpaid annual leave.
· Implementing a health and safety policy for employees that complies with national legal standards.
· Ensuring the availability of first aid sets and trained staff at all relevant locations.
· Adhering to national regulations regarding the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment.
· Establishing effective documented procedures for employees to voice their complaints and expectations.
· Maintaining a transparent and effectively communicated disciplinary procedure for employees.
· Implementing a regular measurement system for gauging employee satisfaction.
· Providing periodic guidance and training for employees on their roles, rights, and responsibilities concerning health and safety, including preparation for fire and other relevant natural disasters.
· Creating opportunities for students to participate in traineeships, internships, and apprenticeships.
· Encouraging employment opportunities for individuals with special needs.

Dahomey African Tours also commits to upholding human rights by:

Declaring non-interference with trade union membership, collective labor negotiations, and the representation of union members.
Participating in and complying with a collective labor condition negotiation structure (if locally existing).
Prohibiting discrimination in recruitment, employment conditions, access to training, and promotions based on gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.
Ensuring all employees have equal chances and access to resources and opportunities for personal development through regular training and education.

3. Internal Management: Environment And Community Relations Dahomey African Tours is dedicated to actively practicing environmental protection and fostering positive community relations by:

Actively minimizing the use of disposable and consumer goods.
Prioritizing the purchase of sustainable goods and services, including office and catering supplies, giveaways, and merchandise.
Opting for bulk purchases to reduce packaging materials.
Configuring copy and printing machines to default to double-sided printing or other paper-saving modes.
Utilizing non-hazardous, non-eutrophic, and biodegradable cleaning materials certified with an eco-label, if locally available.
Printing brochures on environmentally friendly paper, collaborating with a printing company employing a certified environmental management system, if available at reasonable costs.
Implementing measures to reduce brochure wastage or adopting an 'internet-only' policy.
Actively committing to measuring, monitoring, and reducing energy consumption.
Calculating and compensating for CO2 emissions while comparing different periods.
Purchasing green energy and energy-efficient lighting for all areas, when available.
Implementing strategies to minimize water consumption, monitored monthly or yearly for benchmarking.
Sourcing water sustainably to avoid adverse effects on environmental flows.
Installing water-saving equipment in toilets, reusing wastewater, and collecting rainwater.
Adhering to national legislation regarding waste disposal.
Developing and implementing a solid waste reduction and recycling policy with quantitative goals.
Taking actions to reduce packaging materials and avoiding non-recyclable or nonbiodegradable materials.
Implementing measures to reduce the use of (non-refillable) plastic bottles for office drinking water.
Separating recyclable materials and organizing proper collection and disposal.
Reducing ink and toner cartridge waste during printing and copying, whenever feasible.
Recycling or properly disposing of batteries.
Complying with national legislation on wastewater treatment, aiming for reuse or safe release. · Minimizing and substituting the use of harmful substances and managing the storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals.
Using lead-free and water-based paints both inside and outside, where locally available.
Implementing practices to minimize pollution from company buildings, to the extent controllable.
Measuring and reducing staff-related travel and promoting more sustainable modes of transportation.
Encouraging employees financially to use public transport or sustainable means of transport.
Reducing transport-related impacts through telework, tele/video meetings, work-athome policies, or other means.
Maintaining and regularly checking motorized company vehicles to minimize emissions, energy use, and ensure compliance with legal emission standards.
Providing periodic guidance, training, and information to all staff members about their roles and responsibilities in internal environmental practices.
Complying with land use, zoning, and protected or heritage area laws and regulations when planning, designing, constructing, renovating, operating, or demolishing company buildings and infrastructure.
Adopting sustainable planning, design, and construction practices for new buildings or renovations based on locally appropriate and feasible methods and materials.
Contributing to the protection and preservation of local historical, archaeological, cultural, and spiritually significant properties and sites, while not hindering access by local residents.

4. Partner Agency Based on an assessment of our key partner agencies, Dahomey African Tours has formulated and implemented a policy aimed at enhancing the sustainability of our partner network. Our objective is to translate the principles of sustainable development into tangible actions for each partner involved in our business. We are committed to this goal by:

Maintaining a comprehensive list detailing the sustainability practices adopted by partner accommodations and agents.
Exclusively collaborating with organizations that genuinely integrate sustainability into their tourism policies.
Minimizing the ecological footprint of our office through predominant use of public transport, adopting a paperless approach, practicing waste separation, and utilizing certified recycled paper.
Prioritizing local community benefits when selecting accommodations and assessing the social policies of our partner agencies.
Promoting awareness of sustainable consumption among key partners through the organization of (online) campaigns and training sessions.
Informing key partners about Travelife and national tourism standards.
Establishing cooperation contracts that include an annex outlining the national code of conduct for local partners to encourage sustainability practices.
Regularly evaluating the sustainability practices of our key partners to ensure ongoing commitment to truly sustainable practices.
Informing key partners about our travel company's sustainability policy and expecting them to comply with and/or communicate it to final customers when relevant.
Incorporating key sustainability clauses into contracts with inbound/receptive partners.
Encouraging incoming/inbound partners to engage in sustainability training programs for travel companies.
Formulating written contracts with partner agencies.
Including clauses in partner contracts that allow termination of agreements if the partner company fails to take adequate measures to prevent the sexual exploitation of children within the direct supply chain.
Ensuring that partner companies adhere to all relevant national laws safeguarding the rights of employees.

5. Transport Dahomey African Tours endeavors to ensure that vehicles utilized during tours contribute no more than the average level of pollution. Recognizing the significance of transportation in sustainable tourism, we are committed to reducing overall pollution levels by:

Selecting the most environmentally sustainable options, taking into account factors such as price and comfort when choosing transportation to the destination.
Incorporating sustainable (public) transport for the point of departure for international/long-distance journeys.
Evaluating and favoring more sustainable alternatives when selecting transportation for transfers and excursions at the destination, considering aspects of price, comfort, and practicality.
Integrating and/or promoting one or more sustainable holiday products/packages based on a recognized methodology, encompassing sustainable transport, accommodations, and activities.

6. Accommodations Dahomey African Tours strives to establish a fully sustainable tourism supply chain, recognizing the crucial role of partner accommodations in achieving this goal. We actively motivate and inspire these partners to adopt sustainable practices, committing to the following initiatives:

Rigorously selecting accommodations that adhere to sustainability and quality standards, with a specific focus on key criteria such as:

‒ Possession of a signed sustainability contract

‒ Implementation of a water-saving program

‒ Adoption of an energy-saving program

‒ Implementation of a waste management program

‒ Utilization of an energy reduction system

‒ Maintenance of a sustainable supply chain

‒ Implementation of a child protection policy

‒ Conducting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities

‒ Providing Health & Safety training for employees

Motivating and encouraging partner accommodations to obtain sustainability certification.
Preferring and selecting accommodations that are locally owned and managed.
Choosing accommodations that actively employ local communities.
Requiring accommodations to provide evidence outlining their sustainability goals and strategies.
Having accommodations sign a sustainability addendum.
Encouraging accommodations to follow best practices and training on responsible tourism.
Urging accommodations to complete a sustainability questionnaire to gain insights into their practices.
Clearly and actively communicating our sustainability objectives and requirements to contracted and other relevant accommodations.
Prioritizing accommodations that work with internationally recognized certifications such as GSTC or Travelife.
Incorporating standard sustainability clauses in all contracts with accommodation providers, focusing on child labor, anti-corruption and bribery, waste management, and protection of biodiversity.
Offering incentives to accommodations actively engaged in sustainability practices.
Ensuring, through our accommodation supply chain, that the rights of children are respected and safeguarded by:

‒ Including a clause in contracts throughout the value chain denouncing and having a zero-tolerance policy for the sexual exploitation of children.

‒ Implementing a specific clause in contracts allowing the travel company to terminate the agreement prematurely if the accommodation supplier does not take adequate measures to prevent sexual exploitation of children.

‒ Training employees in children's rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation, and how to report suspected cases.

‒ Supporting, collaborating with, and engaging stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children.

Collaborating with accommodations and restaurants that incorporate elements of local art, architecture, or cultural heritage, while respecting the intellectual property rights of local communities.
Terminating cooperation with accommodations if clear evidence indicates that contracted establishments jeopardize the integrity of basic services such as food, water, energy, healthcare, or soil to neighboring communities.

7. Excursions And Activities Dahomey African Tours places a paramount emphasis on animal and community welfare, striving for tours that leave only a minimal footprint. We are committed to preserving the authenticity of communities and the natural environment, vehemently opposing harm to wildlife and environmental pollution. Dahomey African Tours upholds this commitment by:

Maintaining an inventory of excursions that are environmentally or culturally sensitive in each destination.
Advising guests on behavior standards during excursions and activities, with a specific focus on respecting local culture, nature, and the environment.
Communicating our sustainability objectives and requirements to contracted and other relevant excursion providers through various channels such as code of conduct distribution, representative agents, social media, email, discussions, and/or meetings, aiming to minimize negative visitor impact and enhance overall enjoyment.
Refraining from offering any excursions that cause harm to humans, animals, plants, natural resources such as water and energy, or those that are socially and culturally unacceptable.
Avoiding the promotion of excursions in which wildlife is held captive, except for activities properly regulated and in compliance with local, national, and international laws.
Not associating with companies engaged in the harvesting, consumption, display, sale, or trade of wildlife species, unless part of a regulated activity ensuring sustainable utilization and compliance with local, national, and international laws.
Employing skilled and/or certified guides to lead guests in sensitive cultural sites, heritage sites, or ecologically sensitive destinations.
Promoting and advising guests on excursions and activities that directly involve and support local communities by purchasing services or goods, traditional crafts, and local (food) production methods, or by visiting social projects.
Promoting and advising guests on excursions and activities that support local environment and biodiversity, such as visiting protected areas or participating in environmental protection projects.

8. Tour Leaders, Local Representatives And Guides Dahomey African Tours is dedicated to actively involving as many locals as possible in the tourism industry, promoting a fair and safe working environment that supports and respects local communities. We commit to this endeavor by:

Ensuring that all employees have a written employment contract that includes labor conditions and a comprehensive job description, with a clear understanding of the terms and conditions.
Preferring to collaborate with local tour leaders, representatives, guides, porters, drivers, cooks, and other staff, providing training as necessary, particularly in cases of equal ability.
Ensuring that our local partners adhere to all applicable international, national, and local laws and regulations, industry minimum standards, and any other relevant statutory requirements, prioritizing the more stringent requirements.
Guaranteeing that tour leaders, local representatives, guides, porters, and other contracted local staff receive at least a living wage, equal to or above the legal minimum or relevant industry standard.
Ensuring that our tour guides, hosts, and other contracted employees are qualified and undergo regular training.
Informing local employees about relevant aspects of our sustainability policy and ensuring compliance through newsletters, references or supplements to contracts, emails, or training and information sessions.
Offering a specialized sustainable travel module in the training program for local tour guides and hosts, highlighting responsible tourism aspects, the role expected from employees, and knowledge about the destination and its relevant sustainability aspects.
Having tour leaders, local representatives, and guides inform clients about pertinent sustainability matters in the destination, such as the protection of flora, fauna, cultural heritage, resource use, social norms and values (e.g. tips, dressing code, and photography), and human rights (e.g. sexual exploitation).
Providing training to employed tour leaders and local representatives on the prevention of sexual exploitation of children, including how to check the requirements concerning the exclusion of child abuse.

9. Destination Dahomey African Tours strives to optimize positive impacts and minimize negative effects at destinations, ensuring the sustainable development of the places where we operate. We are committed to this objective by:

Incorporating sustainability considerations into the selection process for new destinations, potentially offering alternative, non-mainstream options.
Avoiding the selection of destinations where tourism leads to significant adverse local effects unless our company's involvement results in clear counterbalancing effects.
Considering the selection of new destinations reachable through more sustainable means of transport.
Adhering to legally mandated spatial planning, protected areas, and heritage regulations, as well as destination management strategies outlined by local, regional, and national authorities.
Supporting initiatives that enhance relationships between accommodations and local producers.
Influencing and supporting local government efforts (whenever feasible, in collaboration with other travel companies and stakeholders) related to sustainability, destination planning and management, the use of natural resources, and sociocultural issues.
Contributing to biodiversity conservation, including protected areas and regions of high biodiversity, through financial support, political advocacy, and integration into product offerings.
Refraining from promoting souvenirs containing threatened flora and fauna species, as indicated in the CITES treaty and the IUCN 'Red List,' or historic and archaeological artifacts (except as permitted by law).

10. Customer Communication And Protection Customer welfare and information hold utmost importance for us at Dahomey African Tours. We ensure transparent and consistent communication and prioritize high protection for our clients before and during their booking process by:

Before Booking:

Providing a company guideline for client consultation, adhered to by client advisors.
Ensuring the confidentiality of customer privacy.
Complying with relevant standards and voluntary codes of conduct in marketing and advertising messages, avoiding over-promising.
Presenting clear, complete, and accurate product and price information regarding the company, its products, and services, including sustainability claims.
Supplying destination information, including sustainability aspects, that is factually correct, balanced, and comprehensive.
Informing clients about the environmental impact of different transport options to reach the destination (if not included in the package) and offering sustainable alternatives where available.
Promoting (Certified) sustainable accommodations, excursions, packages, and/or transport options with recognizable logos or messages, presenting them as the "better" option.
Informing customers about sustainable alternatives concerning accommodations, excursions, package holidays, and transport options, if available.
Clearly communicating sustainability commitments and actions to potential and direct customers.

After Booking and During Holidays:

Providing information to consumers about the natural surroundings, local culture, and cultural heritage in the holiday destination.
Informing consumers about key sustainability aspects and issues in the destination and offering recommendations on how to make a positive contribution.
Informing customers about risks and precautions related to health and safety matters in the destination.
Maintaining a contact person and a readily available telephone number for emergency situations.
Training personnel and providing guidelines on dealing with emergency situations.
Supplying clients with documented guidelines and/or codes of conduct for sensitive excursions and activities to minimize negative visitor impact and maximize enjoyment, developed in collaboration with relevant NGOs and the affected community when possible.
Providing customers with information about commercial, sexual, or any other form of exploitation and harassment, particularly of children and adolescents.
Informing clients about applicable legislation concerning the purchasing, sales, import, and export of historic or religious artifacts and articles containing materials of threatened flora and/or fauna in the destination.
Encouraging clients to use local restaurants and shops when appropriate.
Informing clients about sustainable transport options in destinations when feasible.
Encouraging clients to donate to local charities and sustainable initiatives.

After Holidays:

Systematically measuring client satisfaction and incorporating the results for service and product improvements.
Integrating sustainability as an integral part of the research into client satisfaction.
Establishing clear procedures for handling client complaints.

Ethical and Sustainable Travel

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SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

1. Sustainability Management & Legal Compliance Dahomey African Tours is dedicated to the effective management of sustainability through the following initiatives:

· Appointing a dedicated employee to oversee sustainability coordination tasks.

· Communicating a sustainability mission statement to customers, partners, and suppliers.

· Formulating an accessible and written sustainability policy aimed at reducing the negative social, cultural, economic, and environmental impacts of the company’s activities, including considerations for employee health and safety.

· Actively participating in external forums and working groups that advocate for sustainability in the tourism sector.

· Conducting a baseline assessment of the company’s performance in sustainable practices.

· Implementing sustainability guidelines and an assessment system to evaluate the sustainability performance of key suppliers and partners.

· Establishing a sustainability action plan with defined targets, actions, measures, responsibilities, and timelines.

· Developing documented procedures to monitor and evaluate the implementation of sustainability policies, objectives, and targets.

· Ensuring transparency in sustainability through public reporting and communication.

· Ensuring that all staff members are fully aware of the Sustainability Policy and are committed to its implementation and continuous improvement.

Dahomey African Tours pledges to adhere to all relevant national legislation, regulations, and industry codes of practice.

2. Internal Management: Social Policy & Human Rights Dahomey African Tours is committed to maintaining sustainable internal management through the establishment of a clear, written, and effectively communicated social policy. This commitment includes:

· Affording employees the freedom to terminate employment contracts with notice (preferably a minimum of one month) and without penalty.

· Incorporating labor conditions in alignment with national labor laws and including a job description in employment contracts.

· Specifying wage rates in contracts, ensuring they are equal to or above the national legal wage.

· Determining and compensating overtime working hours based on mutual agreement.

· Providing medical and liability insurance in accordance with national laws.

· Granting employees fixed paid yearly holidays, sick leave, and an allowance for unpaid annual leave.

· Implementing a health and safety policy for employees that complies with national legal standards.

· Ensuring the availability of first aid sets and trained staff at all relevant locations.

· Adhering to national regulations regarding the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment.

· Establishing effective documented procedures for employees to voice their complaints and expectations.

· Maintaining a transparent and effectively communicated disciplinary procedure for employees.

· Implementing a regular measurement system for gauging employee satisfaction.

· Providing periodic guidance and training for employees on their roles, rights, and responsibilities concerning health and safety, including preparation for fire and other relevant natural disasters.

· Creating opportunities for students to participate in traineeships, internships, and apprenticeships.

· Encouraging employment opportunities for individuals with special needs.

Dahomey African Tours also commits to upholding human rights by:

Declaring non-interference with trade union membership, collective labor negotiations, and the representation of union members.

Participating in and complying with a collective labor condition negotiation structure (if locally existing).

Prohibiting discrimination in recruitment, employment conditions, access to training, and promotions based on gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.

Ensuring all employees have equal chances and access to resources and opportunities for personal development through regular training and education.

3. Internal Management: Environment And Community Relations Dahomey African Tours is dedicated to actively practicing environmental protection and fostering positive community relations by:

Actively minimizing the use of disposable and consumer goods.

Prioritizing the purchase of sustainable goods and services, including office and catering supplies, giveaways, and merchandise.

Opting for bulk purchases to reduce packaging materials.

Configuring copy and printing machines to default to double-sided printing or other paper-saving modes.

Utilizing non-hazardous, non-eutrophic, and biodegradable cleaning materials certified with an eco-label, if locally available.

Printing brochures on environmentally friendly paper, collaborating with a printing company employing a certified environmental management system, if available at reasonable costs.

Implementing measures to reduce brochure wastage or adopting an 'internet-only' policy.

Actively committing to measuring, monitoring, and reducing energy consumption.

Calculating and compensating for CO2 emissions while comparing different periods.

Purchasing green energy and energy-efficient lighting for all areas, when available.

Implementing strategies to minimize water consumption, monitored monthly or yearly for benchmarking.

Sourcing water sustainably to avoid adverse effects on environmental flows.

Installing water-saving equipment in toilets, reusing wastewater, and collecting rainwater.

Adhering to national legislation regarding waste disposal.

Developing and implementing a solid waste reduction and recycling policy with quantitative goals.

Taking actions to reduce packaging materials and avoiding non-recyclable or nonbiodegradable materials.

Implementing measures to reduce the use of (non-refillable) plastic bottles for office drinking water.

Separating recyclable materials and organizing proper collection and disposal.

Reducing ink and toner cartridge waste during printing and copying, whenever feasible.

Recycling or properly disposing of batteries.

Complying with national legislation on wastewater treatment, aiming for reuse or safe release. · Minimizing and substituting the use of harmful substances and managing the storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals.

Using lead-free and water-based paints both inside and outside, where locally available.

Implementing practices to minimize pollution from company buildings, to the extent controllable.

Measuring and reducing staff-related travel and promoting more sustainable modes of transportation.

Encouraging employees financially to use public transport or sustainable means of transport.

Reducing transport-related impacts through telework, tele/video meetings, work-athome policies, or other means.

Maintaining and regularly checking motorized company vehicles to minimize emissions, energy use, and ensure compliance with legal emission standards.

Providing periodic guidance, training, and information to all staff members about their roles and responsibilities in internal environmental practices.

Complying with land use, zoning, and protected or heritage area laws and regulations when planning, designing, constructing, renovating, operating, or demolishing company buildings and infrastructure.

Adopting sustainable planning, design, and construction practices for new buildings or renovations based on locally appropriate and feasible methods and materials.

Contributing to the protection and preservation of local historical, archaeological, cultural, and spiritually significant properties and sites, while not hindering access by local residents.

Maintaining a comprehensive list detailing the sustainability practices adopted by partner accommodations and agents.

Exclusively collaborating with organizations that genuinely integrate sustainability into their tourism policies.

Minimizing the ecological footprint of our office through predominant use of public transport, adopting a paperless approach, practicing waste separation, and utilizing certified recycled paper.

Prioritizing local community benefits when selecting accommodations and assessing the social policies of our partner agencies.

Promoting awareness of sustainable consumption among key partners through the organization of (online) campaigns and training sessions.

Informing key partners about Travelife and national tourism standards.

Establishing cooperation contracts that include an annex outlining the national code of conduct for local partners to encourage sustainability practices.

Regularly evaluating the sustainability practices of our key partners to ensure ongoing commitment to truly sustainable practices.

Informing key partners about our travel company's sustainability policy and expecting them to comply with and/or communicate it to final customers when relevant.

Incorporating key sustainability clauses into contracts with inbound/receptive partners.

Encouraging incoming/inbound partners to engage in sustainability training programs for travel companies.

Formulating written contracts with partner agencies.

Including clauses in partner contracts that allow termination of agreements if the partner company fails to take adequate measures to prevent the sexual exploitation of children within the direct supply chain.

Ensuring that partner companies adhere to all relevant national laws safeguarding the rights of employees.