Sustainability Policy

Purpose

Misa Tours International is committed to sustainability through its engagement with the Travelife platform. The aim of this policy is to promote sustainable development among our teams, travellers, and partners.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff employed by Misa Tours International under permanent or fixed-term contracts. It will be communicated to our clients, suppliers, and business partners.

1. Sustainable Management and Legal Compliance

Commitment to Sustainability

The management of Misa Tours International is fully committed to the company’s sustainability performance and endorses its mission statement and sustainability policy.

We will use the Travelife platform to report on our sustainability progress and to monitor and evaluate our efforts. We commit to publicly sharing our sustainability performance via the Travelife report every two years.

Legal Compliance

Misa Tours International continuously improves its sustainability practices, dedicating staff and resources to achieving its goals.

We comply with all local, regional, national, and international regulations concerning human resources, human rights, child rights, land rights, environmental management, wildlife, and land use. We enforce a strict code of ethics, including zero tolerance for corruption, bribery, forced labour, and discrimination.

2. Internal Management: Social Policy and Human Rights

Our Employees

We recognise our employees as our greatest asset in delivering enriching travel experiences. Our HR policy ensures:

  • Full compliance with all legal requirements
  • Fair and equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender, race, nationality, marital status, age, or religion
  • A safe, healthy, inclusive workplace that fosters personal and professional growth
  • Zero tolerance for bribery, corruption, discrimination, and human rights violations, including forced labour, human trafficking, and child rights abuses

3. Internal Management: Environmental Policy

Office Environmental Management

We integrate environmental impact management into our operations. We promote environmental responsibility among staff and stakeholders, encouraging their input to help achieve our environmental goals.

Our policy ensures environmental integrity in our processes and products:

  • Compliance with all environmental laws and regulations
  • Monitoring and evaluation of all goods and products purchased, especially regarding waste
  • Preference for locally sourced, fair trade, bulk, minimally packaged, and sustainably certified office supplies
  • Printing only when necessary, always double-sided and in greyscale, using FSC-certified or equivalent paper with high post-consumer content
  • Energy-saving measures in all shared spaces: equipment and lighting are energy-efficient and turned off/unplugged/in standby when not in use
  • Waste is sorted into recycling, organic, landfill, and disposed of properly
  • Noise, light, and air pollution are minimised

Carbon Management

We aim to reduce our carbon footprint by:

  • Minimising travel and promoting public transport
  • Installing energy-efficient equipment where feasible

We commit to measuring our direct and indirect carbon emissions from travel and fossil fuel consumption.

Land Use

Our offices are located in urban areas and comply with local land use laws. We respect cultural and natural resources and favour sustainable architecture and design.

4. Supplier Policy

We source products and services responsibly, avoiding negative impacts on society, culture, and nature. We expect the same commitment from our suppliers.

We prefer partners who:

  • Have a sustainability statement or policy
  • Are locally owned or managed, use seasonal and local products/services, and benefit the local community through fair employment
  • Hold internationally recognised tourism certifications (e.g. GSTC-accredited), or other sustainability certifications like B Corp or ISO

We expect suppliers to adhere to a code of conduct that includes:

  • Compliance with all relevant laws and regulations
  • Respect for human rights, including labour, child, and women’s rights
  • Commitment to fair employment practices
  • Anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-extortion, and fair competition standards

5. Transport

We strive to ensure that vehicles used on tours do not exceed average pollution levels. We commit to:

  • Considering and preferring more sustainable transport options for transfers and excursions, balancing cost, comfort, and practicality
  • Integrating and promoting sustainable holiday packages that include eco-friendly transport, accommodation, and activities

6. Accommodation

We aim to build the most sustainable tourism supply chain possible. We highlight and promote accommodations that:

  • Participate in sustainability efforts
  • Respect land use and showcase local architecture, customs, and traditions
  • Are locally owned and managed
  • Hold internationally recognised certifications (e.g. GSTC or Travelife)
  • Are legally registered and comply with labour and child rights laws

7. Activities and Excursions

All excursions and activities organised by or on behalf of Misa Tours International respect local customs, cultural integrity, and natural resources. We do not offer excursions that harm people, wildlife, the environment, or natural resources.

We prioritise activities that:

  • Benefit local communities
  • Respect animal welfare
  • Support environmental protection

We advise clients on appropriate behaviour during excursions, emphasising respect for local culture and nature.

We do not offer excursions involving captive wild animals, except those legally regulated. We do not partner with businesses that harvest, consume, display, sell, or trade wildlife unless sustainably and legally regulated.

We promote excursions that support local communities through purchases, traditional crafts, local food production, or visits to social projects. We also encourage visits to protected areas and environmental initiatives.

8. Guides, Local Representatives, and Drivers

We recruit qualified guides and drivers, pay fair wages according to applicable laws and industry standards, and ensure safe, fair working conditions. We expect the same from suppliers hiring on our behalf.

Guides are key intermediaries between travellers and the destination’s cultural and environmental context. We ensure they are well-trained and knowledgeable.

Local staff are informed of our sustainability policy through newsletters, contract references, emails, or training sessions.

9. Destinations

Sustainable Destinations

We prefer destinations committed to integrating sustainability into community and tourism development. We aim to send visitors to secondary or lesser-known areas to avoid overtourism and support local economies and heritage.

We do not support destinations with questionable human rights records.

Contribution to Local Communities

We contribute positively by:

  • Sourcing locally and responsibly, supporting traditional arts and culture
  • Encouraging responsible shopping and informing travellers about illegal or prohibited souvenirs (e.g. endangered species, historical artefacts)
  • Collaborating with local tourism stakeholders to promote sustainable development
  • Respecting all human and land rights
  • Maximising positive impacts and minimising negative ones
  • Considering sustainability when selecting new destinations and proposing alternative, non-traditional options

Environmental Management in Destinations

We commit to:

  • Preserving natural resources
  • Raising visitor awareness about responsible travel and behaviour

10. Communication and Client Protection

Privacy Protection

We prioritise client protection through a clear privacy policy that ensures:

  • Full legal compliance
  • Protection of client data

Marketing and Communication

We strive for honesty and transparency. Our products and services match our communications. We provide clear, complete, and accurate pricing and product information.

We honour our commitments. We oppose greenwashing and fully support our sustainability claims.

We aim to be inclusive and culturally sensitive in our marketing.

Sustainability Communication

Clients are informed about the social and environmental impact of their travel and guided toward sustainable choices through transparent communication about:

  • Certified sustainable accommodation, excursions, packages, and transport
  • Activities that benefit local communities and the environment
  • Responsible shopping and illegal souvenirs
  • Behaviour guidelines for sensitive excursions
  • Local nature, culture, and heritage
  • Local restaurants and shops
  • Sustainable transport options
  • Opportunities to donate to local charities and initiatives

11. Client Experience and Feedback

We aim for all client experiences to be positive. We measure satisfaction and use feedback to improve our services.

Complaints

We maintain open communication and encourage feedback, especially on sustainability. We have clear procedures for handling complaints, investigate each one, and respond accordingly.

A contact person and emergency phone number are available throughout the trip. Staff are trained to handle emergencies.

Contact / Responsible Person

All staff are responsible for implementing and promoting this policy within their departments.

The policy is led by our Sustainability Coordinator, Julie Crail-Hellstern, reachable at: services@misatours.ca

Effective Date

This policy comes into effect on 1 September 2025.

Revision History

Last revised: 20 August 2025

Next review due: 30 September 2027