Responsible Tourism Policy

Green tourism and responsible travel are key concerns for the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) and its members. Each member's sustainable tourism credentials are examined to ensure sustainability and that local cultures and the environment are treated with the utmost care and respect. 

AITO is the first tourism industry association to incorporate into its business charter a commitment to Responsible travel and green tourism. Sustainable travel guidelines for its members are based upon 5 key objectives:

• To protect the environment – its flora, fauna and landscapes
• To respect local cultures – traditions, religions and built heritage
• To benefit local communities – both economically and socially
• To conserve natural resources – from office to destination
• To minimise pollution – through noise, waste disposal and congestion

The Vacations Group has received a 3 star award from AITO for our commitment to Responsible Tourism.

We continue to look to improve the way in which we run our business so we act more responsibly in our business and in our destinations and encourage our clients to do the same.

Our activities include:

In our offices:

We operate from state of the art offices which have been designed to maximize our responsibility to the local environment including:

-          we have no light switches! All lights are on sensors which automatically switch off when there is no movement in the room.

-          we generate hot water on demand and do not boil kettles for hot drinks etc.

-          our recruitment policy is to employ local staff thus minimizing commuting distance

-          we have a bike rack to encourage cycling to work

-          some of our staff walk to work

-          we have a paper free objective in all we do. Most of our documents are stored digitally and are not printed out

-          we recycle paper and cardboard.

-          we now print our brochures every two years instead of annually, thus reducing excess wastage.

-          we recycle all unused brochures.

-          we use local suppliers wherever possible

In our destinations:

-          most of our hotels are small country Inns many of which feature local produce in their menus

-          most of our hotels have an environmental policy relating to bathroom products, recycling, laundry and energy conservation

-          we do not have reps from the UK. We utilise the services of our Innkeepers and local villa agents

-          most of our country Inns are locally owned and run

-          we provide information and encourage our clients to arrange local tours when staying in any of our destinations. We also provide detailed information on local restaurants.