SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
Our Sustainability Approach
At Acme Travels, sustainability has been part of how we operate for over 33 years. As a responsible Destination Management Company in Sri Lanka, we are committed to protecting the environment, respecting local communities and culture, and ensuring fair, transparent practices across every tour we deliver.
Our approach is guided by our formal Sustainability Policy, covering our operations, our suppliers, our chauffeur guides and national guides, and the excursions and accommodations we recommend to travellers.
Our Sustainability Initiatives
Community Support
We run a formal programme to improve infrastructure, health, and sanitation for low-income families in the communities where we operate. Currently, 10% of our annual profits are allocated to these community projects for the upcoming financial year, and we aim to increase this to 15% by 2030.
Reducing Plastic Use
We have moved away from single-use plastics across our operations. All office staff have been provided with reusable steel water bottles, and we use cloth materials in place of tissue and paper products wherever possible. Our long-term goal is to achieve zero plastic use across our operations.
Carbon & Environmental Responsibility
We actively work on carbon offsetting initiatives and encourage low-impact travel choices, including minimising unnecessary domestic transport by air and planning to promote energy-efficient vehicle use during tours.
Supporting Local Suppliers
We give priority to local goods and service suppliers, and we favour local product manufacturers wherever possible, supporting the local economy and reducing our supply chain footprint.
Staff Training & Engagement
Our team holds a monthly internal meeting dedicated specifically to sustainability, where we review our practices, share updates on our initiatives, and identify opportunities for improvement. All staff receive periodic training on sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
Official Travelife Recognition Statement
Our company has achieved Travelife Partner recognition.
Travelife Partner is the entry recognition level within the international Travelife sustainability programme for tour operators and travel agents. This recognition confirms our commitment to further improving the sustainability of our business operations through a structured sustainability management system and the implementation of recognised sustainability practices.
Travelife Partner recognition is awarded following an independent assessment based on the Travelife Partner criteria. During this assessment, our sustainability policy, objectives, management system, implementation of key sustainability practices and supporting documentation are evaluated against 60 mandatory sustainability criteria.
To maintain this recognition, our company is independently reassessed every two years to verify that we continue to comply with the Travelife Partner criteria.
Travelife Partner also provides the basis for progressing to the highest recognition level: Travelife Certified. This recognition is awarded following a comprehensive independent on-site audit based on the Travelife Certified criteria. This standard comprises more than 200 mandatory sustainability criteria and verifies the implementation of sustainability management and sustainability practices throughout the entire organisation.
For more information about the Travelife programme, the different recognition levels, the validity of our current Travelife Partner recognition and the Travelife criteria can be found on the Travelife information website for travelers: travelife.info/travelers
Travelife Partner Certificate
View Acme Travels’ current Travelife Partner recognition certificate.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL
Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a global leader in sustainable tourism development. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization’s mission is to promote sustainable development through responsible travel by providing programs that help travelers, businesses and destinations protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage and promote economic development. STI is dedicated to taking a holistic approach to addressing sustainable development within the travel and tourism industries by providing solutions-oriented programs that generate tangible results and affect long-lasting change.
About Sustainable Travel International
A global non-profit and thought leader in travel and tourism since 2002, Sustainable Travel International offers innovative programs that support sustainable development through responsible travel. Our practical solutions help destinations and businesses of all sizes respond to sustainability challenges, while strengthening the positive impacts of tourism worldwide.
Web: https://sustainabletravel.org/
Green your holiday travel
How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Travels:
https://sustainabletravel.org/how-to-reduce-travel-carbon-footprint/
Over the past year, we’ve seen how a global crisis can bring travel to a sudden halt. Though the pandemic remains front of mind, there is another crisis that will bring even graver consequences for humanity and imperil the destinations we love. That threat is climate change.
In recent years, tourism came under heightened scrutiny for its contribution to the climate emergency. We began hearing terms like “flight shaming” as people became more aware of their impact. Tourism does play a role in the climate crisis, there’s no denying that. In fact, a 2018 study found that tourism accounts for 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. On this webpage we provide a breakdown of the different activities that contribute to tourism’s carbon footprint.
But this doesn’t mean you should swear off traveling altogether. The restart of tourism allows us to rethink our habits and learn how to travel in a responsible way. There are many ways that you can lessen your travel emissions and drive the industry towards a more sustainable future.