Regarding the cooperation with our local partners, we have formulated overarching requirements such as the Supplier Code of Conduct. This bundles our ecological, social, and ethical principles. In addition, we are successively implementing our Animal Welfare Policy and we are working to bring our product portfolio in line with established animal welfare standards.
On selected tours we go a step further. Since 2013, our own «Authentic» label has been awarded to tours that offer particularly impressive nature experiences and authentic encounters with the local population. We are now replacing «Authentic» with «engage − people & planet». «engage» stands for a shared commitment to sustainable development and is an approach based on partnership and cooperation, which is reflected in all sustainability issues. Our own sustainability criteria, which are based on the GSTC criteria, stand behind our own «engage» label.
Your added values
«engage» expands on the «Authentic» criteria. With this rebranding, we delve deeper by putting an emphasis on locally relevant sustainability performance. We are also enhancing transparency by providing a more detailed description of what makes these trips unique and valuable. Ultimately, we are unifying the message beyond Kuoni and the other Kuoni Specialists. «engage – people & planet» will also gradually be introduced and expanded to the other brands. For more information, please visit www.kuoni.ch/nachhaltigkeit.
The criteria
For engage trips, we team up with accommodations and local partners who show great commitment. These are often smaller, family-run accommodations or tours with a focus on sustainability. In each case, we highlight the contribution that these trips bring to selected locally relevant sustainability issues. With respect to the issues, we are guided by the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and thus by the multi-layered spectrum of sustainability − from marine protection, climate protection and animal welfare to fair working conditions.
Additional criteria include the following topics
- Overtourism: careful selection of the destination and travel period (season, time of day)
- Climate protection: use of alternatives to air travel, direct flight routes, CO2 compensation
- Mobility in the country: avoidance of domestic flights, inclusion of public transport and of slow travel
- Accommodation: supporting local structures and accommodations with proven commitment
- Tour guides: selection of locally established tour guides who form a bridge to the destination and nurture the transfer of knowledge
- Excursions: careful selection of excursions with sustainable added value (food and drink, souvenirs, personal encounters, and interaction)
These issues are reviewed regularly during on-site visits.
Our engage tours
Discover here our careful selection of sustainable tours that offer responsible travel enjoyment.