Southeast Asia’s largest Destination Management Company continues to lead the way in driving international sustainability across the industry.
At ITB Berlin 2016, EXO Travel was presented with the much sought-after ‘Travelife Certification’, recognising their efforts towards corporate, social, cultural and environmental responsibility. The accolade was for EXO Travel’s operations within Thailand and adds to their previously achieved certifications for their work in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Travelife is the leading international sustainability certification across the industry. Achieving certification requires compliance with a total of 247 criteria, among which 161 are compulsory measures, covering the entire company’s office management, supply chain, product range and customer information including environmental efforts, biodiversity, human rights and labour relations. It’s also in full compliance with the UN supported Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.
Worldwide, 20 national travel associations are promoting the scheme to their members, 90 companies have started the certification process and 39 companies have achieved certification, among which there are only four in Southeast Asia.
The achievement was driven by the efforts of the EXO Foundation and the hard work of the Sustainability Coordinators in each of the respective destinations.
EXO Travel Thailand’s Sustainability Coordinator, Nia Klatte was thrilled with the news, “The Travelife certification is a wonderful achievement for us. It has been a very exciting process so far and it’s an excellent motivator for us to keep developing and improving in the future. We hope to set a positive example for others to follow on our journey to more sustainable tourism.”
George Ehrlich-Adam, Chief Operating Officer for EXO Travel also added “We are extremely proud to have achieved this important milestone for EXO Thailand. The recognition belongs to the dedicated and passionate team of people who put all their hearts into this project following the lead of our Vietnam and Cambodia offices. Laos and Myanmar will be our next destinations to undertake the certification, while Indonesia will begin the process in 2017”