HANOI, 14 November 2018: Travelife, an international agency that certifies sustainable tourism endeavours, has awarded Asian Trails Vietnam partner status.
Travelife manager for tour operators, Naut Kusters, handed the certificate to Asian Trails’ Vietnam managing director, Thuy Tien, during the UK’s World Travel Market, held last week in London.
According to an Asian Trails Vietnam’s statement it has complied with more than 100 criteria, related to operators’ office management, product range, international business partners and customer information.
Travelife’s standard covers ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility themes, including environment, biodiversity, human rights and labour relations.
It is formally recognised as being in full compliance with the UN supported Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
“As the first country in the Asian Trails Group, our Vietnam team’s mission is to “Design Tourism Today for Tomorrow,” said Thuy Tien.
The company aims through its so-called ESTEEM programme to create a better environment for visitors, suppliers and business partners.
According Travelife’s principles the travel company has to engage in recycling projects, it must use eco-friendly travel options and also work closely with local partners that embrace the concept of community-based-tourism to maintain its status that will require renewal and fresh evaluation in two years.
Commenting on Asian Trails Vietnam’s achievement, Naut Kusters said: “The award of the front runner Asian Trails Vietnam will inspire other companies in Vietnam to follow the same path”.
Travelife, established with the support of the European Commission, is an international sustainability certification for the travel sector. More than 35 national travel associations are promoting the scheme to their members including ABTA, the British Travel Association and Pacific Asian Travel Association.
