EXO Travel to introduce initiative to help minimise plastic waste

Our planet is a precious resource and one of the most pressing issues it faces is the huge volume of plastic waste scarring land and seascapes. With the world’s population continuing to grow, plastic by-products of human consumption are potentially catastrophic for eco-systems everywhere.

To help combat this, EXO Travel, under the guidance of EXO Foundation, is introducing free refillable water bottles on its tours. The initiative was originally pioneered on biking tours last year and is now being rolled out in Cambodia with a view to expanding the idea to Vietnam, Laos and Thailand soon.

As a supporter of responsible tourism, EXO Travel is lobbying suppliers such as hotels, restaurants, tourist sites and car companies to work towards reducing plastic waste even further in the future.

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    B Corp Month: Celebrating business as a force for good
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    B Corp Month: Celebrating business as a force for good

    B Corp Month is a global campaign to raise awareness about the unique ethos of B Corps. Throughout March, the B Corp community comes together to demonstrate the power of purpose-driven business. This year, the theme of B Corp Month is ‘This way forward’, focusing on growth and impact. The campaign is highlighting how B Corps continue to evolve and make a difference in their communities and beyond. The month underscores the collective effort of B Corps in leading the way toward better business practices and a more sustainable future. Globally, more than 8,000 B Corp Certified businesses will be partaking in B Corp Month. EXO Travel kicked off the month by joining other Thailand-based B Corps for a meeting to share knowledge and discuss growing the local B Corp community. ‘It was the first gathering of Thai-based B Corp companies, and there is a strong will to keep going in that direction, encouraging further participation, interdependence and the sharing of resources where necessary, including expertise and technologies’, explains Jiraphat Briand, EXO’s Sustainability Leader. EXO's path to B Corp B Corp Month B Corporation (or ‘B Corp’) is a certification awarded to businesses that meet the highest standards of verified…

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    EXO Japan: Rising to the occasion
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    EXO Japan: Rising to the occasion

    In the wake of the pandemic, Japan has emerged as a global tourism hotspot. To meet this surge in interest, EXO Japan continues to strengthen our team and invest in resources.Despite the complexities of operating in an exceedingly popular country, our focus remains on maintaining our commitment to excellence in travel experiences. Mark Holguin, General Manager of EXO Japan, shares his perspective, stating,  ‘We have found ourselves in a unique position of managing one of the most popular destinations in the world, with clients who continue to grow their business in Japan'.'As we always work to plan ahead to meet this growing demand, we continuously review our manning requirements, office space and equipment, to stay ahead of the growth curve in order to deliver on the excellence our clients expect of us’.With a new Director of People and Culture in place, EXO Japan has been focused on expanding our team with the best and brightest talent. Beyond scaling up manpower, EXO Japan is also investing in resources that will ensure the continuity and quality of our services. Discover more Partner with EXO Since opening in 2011, EXO Japan has shown steady growth, a trend that's set to continue. ‘We wrapped up last…

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    Hotel Resilient: Making it easy to find sustainable accommodation
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    Hotel Resilient: Making it easy to find sustainable accommodation

    Choosing a more responsible hotel is an easy way for travellers and partners to reduce the negative impacts of travel on the environment. To help our global network of travel agents make informed decisions, EXO partnered with Hotel Resilient to create an online platform that ranks and reviews hotels based on a range of sustainability metrics.The organisation summarises the key indicators of the property’s commitment to sustainability and ranks it based on a series of criteria. As a result, partners can log-in from anywhere at any time and search for responsible hotels within a destination or search for a specific property by name.For example, Hotel Resilient provides an ‘at a glance’ snapshot of which hotel is offering water bottle refillable stations, if their employees are trained on child protection, details of ownership structure and other important criteria.By making this data easy to access, EXO encourages its business partners to select hotels that are actively working to reduce their environmental impact. In turn, we expect that hotels will be more motivated to improve their business model to achieve higher scores and more bookings.At present, Hotel Resilient features hotels from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam with Thailand launching in late 2024. Read on to…

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    FITUR 2024: Insights and key takeaways
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    FITUR 2024: Insights and key takeaways

    FITUR 2024 wrapped up last week in Madrid. The annual tourism fair featured a busy schedule for the EXO Travel team, as they met with partners and shared news from across our portfolio of destinations. FITUR (Feria Internacional de Turismo) is always a wonderful opportunity for EXO to showcase exciting updates and discuss travel trends with our partners in the Spanish-speaking market - and this year was no exception!EXO was represented by Nick Ghosh, Director of Global Sales, Lucas Arruda, Sales Manager for Latin America and Louane Daigremont, Regional Manager Spain, Portugal and Latin America.  The trio hosted three days of meetings with partners as well as post-event meetings and training sessions with partners in the Madrid area. ‘FITUR 2024 was a great opportunity for meaningful engagement with our partners, particularly given the notable presence of Latin Americans at the event,’ Lucas explains. ‘The meetings we had were essential in bolstering our collaboration this year’. Read on to learn about their key takeaways and insights from the event. Partner with EXO 'I was delighted to meet with so many partners from Spain, Portugal and Latin America, and very pleased to hear that Southeast Asia was seeing a very strong rebound of interest…

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    EXO Foundation: A new coconut fibre road for Con Ho island
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    EXO Foundation: A new coconut fibre road for Con Ho island

    At EXO, we have always believed in travel as a force for good. This recently came to life through a meaningful project on Con Ho, a small island in the Mekong Delta.Home to only fifteen families, life on Con Ho is refreshingly simple: the residents get around on foot or by bicycle, the usual buzz of motorbikes is noticeably absent. There is no electricity, so the people rely on solar power and battery back-up. Despite the scarce resources, the people are incredibly welcoming. EXO has worked with the community to develop immersive visits, giving our guests a rare opportunity to experience rural Vietnamese life while also providing a much-needed additional income stream to the community.However this simple life comes with challenges. The island’s main road, which connects the village to the port, becomes impassable in the rainy season due to thick mud.  This hampers daily life, as the road is used by children to go to school, adults to go to the market and to access services such as medical care. Understanding the importance of this one-kilometre-long road, the EXO Foundation donated a cover made of durable coconut fibre. This sustainable solution is expected to last 5-10 years, promising a…

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    EXO Travel’s plastic-free journey
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    EXO Travel’s plastic-free journey

    As a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI), EXO Travel adheres to a set of actionable commitments aimed at minimising our impact on the environment. Recognising the delicate balance between exploring the beauty of our world and preserving it for future generations, EXO has continuously strived to be at the forefront of eco-conscious travel.  As a certified B Corporation, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Our journey has been one of constant evolution, seeking innovative ways to minimise our impact on the environment and serve as responsible stewards of the earth.Our commitment to sustainability led us to become a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative in 2014. This initiative is aimed at uniting the tourism sector to tackle the root causes of plastic pollution and represents a collective effort to transition towards a circular economy of plastics in the tourism industry 'Waste management presents one of the most visible and pressing challenges in our beloved destinations. Our involvement is not just about reducing plastic usage.' As Alexandra Michat, EXO's Chief Purpose Officer, explains, 'Waste management presents one of the most visible and pressing challenges in our beloved destinations. Our…

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    Reflecting on 2023: A year of rebuilding, learning & achievements
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    Reflecting on 2023: A year of rebuilding, learning & achievements

    As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on a year that was both challenging and rewarding. This year marked not only our 30th anniversary but also our journey out from the shadows of the pandemic and towards a brighter, more dynamic future. It was a year of significant milestones and accomplishments, of which we are immensely proud.The start of 2023 was a time of adaptation and resilience as we settled into the post-COVID era. We navigated the changing landscape of travel with a renewed sense of purpose, focusing even more on sustainability, flexibility and innovative travel solutions. Our commitment to rebuilding better has not only enhanced our operations but also deepened our connection with our communities and partners.Thanks to the support of our partners and our team, 2023 was a landmark year for us in many ways. We achieved several key milestones, from expanding our portfolio of destinations to launching new technologies and becoming a certified B Corporation.As we step into 2024, we do so with optimism and gratitude. The lessons learned and successes achieved in 2023 have laid a solid foundation for the future. We look forward to continuing our journey, exploring new horizons and delivering unforgettable travel…

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    EXO Selected as a Preferred Partner for Royal Commission for AlUla
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    EXO Selected as a Preferred Partner for Royal Commission for AlUla

    EXO Saudi Arabia has been selected as a preferred partner by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).  This prestigious partnership marks a milestone in plans to develop and enhance tourism opportunities in the AlUla region. AlUla, known for its breathtaking landscapes and historical significance, is poised to become one of Saudi Arabia’s prime destinations for global travellers. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established with the mission to protect and promote AlUla, leading the sustainable transformation of the region‘As one of only a few selected, preferred partners, EXO Saudi Arabia will be able to work even closer with the Royal Commission and have access to local services and opportunities before other parties,’ explains Sandor Leinwand recte Rein, General Manager of EXO Saudi Arabia. ‘In turn, this will benefit the guests of the tour operators who work with us, such as special rates and direct access to activities and information.’ This partnership between EXO Saudi Arabia and the RCU reflects a shared commitment to showcasing AlUla's magnificence to the world, ensuring that visitors experience the region's unique blend of nature, culture, and history in the most enriching way possible  Read on to learn more about AlUla and EXO’s innovative products and…

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    World Travel Market 2023: Key takeaways
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    World Travel Market 2023: Key takeaways

    World Travel Market (WTM) London is one of the industry’s largest trade shows and the 2023 edition proved, once again, to be busy and productive for EXO Travel. Over the course of the three day event, our team connected with global partners, sharing travel inspiration and new updates from EXO. This year EXO was represented by an all-star team of sales managers and destination experts, as well as our Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Digital Officer. The team had a full slate of meetings, with existing and new partners, and attended many auxiliary events throughout the trade show. Nick Ghosh, EXO Director of Sales, remarked ‘After a rather quiet 2022 WTM it really felt like travel was back in 2023, with a lot of optimism in the air! Many partners and suppliers mirrored EXO’s happiness at being able to report a return to pre-pandemic levels of trade. 2024 is looking for many to be another great year, with the economic turmoil in our source markets not dampening people's eagerness to explore.’We take a look at some of the key talking points and takeaways from the event. 'At WTM, there was a lot of excitement about having EXO on the ground in…

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    Introducing our New, Improved Website
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    Introducing our New, Improved Website

    As EXO marks 30 years of innovative travel design, we are unveiling a new website that more accurately reflects who we are and where we are going.Inspired by our roots yet also distinctly modern, the refreshed design brings our expertise and pioneering spirit to life while making inspiration and information easier to find.Along with the new website comes an updated version of our Agent Hub. Now, the ability to find and book the right products to match clients’ needs is easier than ever. And, along with our refreshed blog, we have expanded access to the fast information and accurate resources needed to drive success.Read on to take a closer look at the new EXO Travel website and the information within. https://youtu.be/O12LGFn5fc4 Our new website is built to evolve with us, ensuring that our digital presence remains as dynamic as EXO itself. Our new website reflects our authenticity and our ongoing evolution as a company.  The design language is distinctly EXO yet with a new blend of elements that are both a nod to our heritage and our forward-looking approach. Vivid imagery is paired with informative text, sparking the imagination while also providing an accurate depiction of what we do and…

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Learn about EXO's environmental responsibility and our path to carbon neutrality

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    Learn about EXO's environmental responsibility and our path to carbon neutrality

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    B Corp Month: Celebrating business as a force for good
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    B Corp Month: Celebrating business as a force for good

    B Corp Month is a global campaign to raise awareness about the unique ethos of B Corps. Throughout March, the B Corp community comes together to demonstrate the power of purpose-driven business. This year, the theme of B Corp Month is ‘This way forward’, focusing on growth and impact. The campaign is highlighting how B Corps continue to evolve and make a difference in their communities and beyond. The month underscores the collective effort of B Corps in leading the way toward better business practices and a more sustainable future. Globally, more than 8,000 B Corp Certified businesses will be partaking in B Corp Month. EXO Travel kicked off the month by joining other Thailand-based B Corps for a meeting to share knowledge and discuss growing the local B Corp community. ‘It was the first gathering of Thai-based B Corp companies, and there is a strong will to keep going in that direction, encouraging further participation, interdependence and the sharing of resources where necessary, including expertise and technologies’, explains Jiraphat Briand, EXO’s Sustainability Leader. EXO's path to B Corp B Corp Month B Corporation (or ‘B Corp’) is a certification awarded to businesses that meet the highest standards of verified…

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    Hotel Resilient: Making it easy to find sustainable accommodation
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    Hotel Resilient: Making it easy to find sustainable accommodation

    Choosing a more responsible hotel is an easy way for travellers and partners to reduce the negative impacts of travel on the environment. To help our global network of travel agents make informed decisions, EXO partnered with Hotel Resilient to create an online platform that ranks and reviews hotels based on a range of sustainability metrics.The organisation summarises the key indicators of the property’s commitment to sustainability and ranks it based on a series of criteria. As a result, partners can log-in from anywhere at any time and search for responsible hotels within a destination or search for a specific property by name.For example, Hotel Resilient provides an ‘at a glance’ snapshot of which hotel is offering water bottle refillable stations, if their employees are trained on child protection, details of ownership structure and other important criteria.By making this data easy to access, EXO encourages its business partners to select hotels that are actively working to reduce their environmental impact. In turn, we expect that hotels will be more motivated to improve their business model to achieve higher scores and more bookings.At present, Hotel Resilient features hotels from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam with Thailand launching in late 2024. Read on to…

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    The Road to B Corp: Understanding the five impact areas
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    The Road to B Corp: Understanding the five impact areas

    The journey to becoming a certified B Corporation involves an in-depth evaluation of a company’s process and impact across five categories: governance, workers, community, environment and customers. Referred to as the B Impact Assessment (BIA), this comprehensive tool is designed and governed by an independent body, with regular updates and revisions based on input from external stakeholders. Within each of the five impact areas, BIA asks questions related to the company’s day-to-day activities and its long term Impact Business Model. The specific questions asked and weight of the resulting score varies depending on the company’s size, sector and location. A score of 80 or higher on the BIA serves as a requirement for B Corp Certification. Continue reading to learn more about the five core categories of the B Impact Assessment and how they link with B Corp’s mission of ‘transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet’. Discover EXO's purpose EXO's B Corp journey GovernanceGovernance evaluates a company's overall mission, ethics, accountability and transparency. The B Impact Assessment looks at how a business is managed and governed, ensuring that interests of employees, community and the environment are considered in decision-making processes.This B Corp pillar emphasises the importance of…

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    What is a B Corporation & why are they important?
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    What is a B Corporation & why are they important?

    In November 2023, EXO Travel became a Certified B Corporation, an accomplishment that we are incredibly proud of. But what exactly is a B Corporation, and why is achieving and maintaining this certification both a significant accomplishment and an ongoing challenge?At its core, a B Corporation (or ‘B Corp’) is a certification awarded to businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. The B Corp certification is administered by B Lab, a nonprofit organisation that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good.The ‘B’ in B Corp stands for ‘Benefit for All’. This certification signifies that a company is not just in it for the financial gains but is also deeply committed to making a positive impact on all stakeholders, including workers, communities, customers and the environment. Discover EXO's purpose EXO's B Corp journey How does a company become a Certified B Corp?The journey to becoming a Certified B Corp is rigorous, involving an in-depth assessment of the company’s impact. This comprehensive evaluation measures a company’s performance across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.To qualify for certification, a company must…

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    EXO Travel’s plastic-free journey
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    EXO Travel’s plastic-free journey

    As a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI), EXO Travel adheres to a set of actionable commitments aimed at minimising our impact on the environment. Recognising the delicate balance between exploring the beauty of our world and preserving it for future generations, EXO has continuously strived to be at the forefront of eco-conscious travel.  As a certified B Corporation, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Our journey has been one of constant evolution, seeking innovative ways to minimise our impact on the environment and serve as responsible stewards of the earth.Our commitment to sustainability led us to become a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative in 2014. This initiative is aimed at uniting the tourism sector to tackle the root causes of plastic pollution and represents a collective effort to transition towards a circular economy of plastics in the tourism industry 'Waste management presents one of the most visible and pressing challenges in our beloved destinations. Our involvement is not just about reducing plastic usage.' As Alexandra Michat, EXO's Chief Purpose Officer, explains, 'Waste management presents one of the most visible and pressing challenges in our beloved destinations. Our…

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    EXO Laos: Reducing Plastic Waste with New Refill System
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    EXO Laos: Reducing Plastic Waste with New Refill System

    Without a decent recycling program, Laos has been struggling to manage its plastic waste. To address this crisis, EXO  Laos will be requesting all clients from 10 November 2023 onwards to travel with a refillable bottle. In order to provide clean and safe water to guests, EXO is equipping all supplied minivans and buses with a Water Refill System. This will ensure guests have access to cool, purified drinking water at all times, whether remaining in or out town.If clients do not have a refill bottle or wish to purchase a new refillable bottle, they are readily available at shops and hotels in Laos.In addition to EXO's refill stations, there are also free refill spots available to the public throughout Luang Prabang. We hope to see this public effort expand throughout the country, but until then EXO's Water Refill System will continue to be the main source for our guests. Below you will find a step-by-step guide on how we implement the Water Refill System in our vehicles. EXO Laos Vehicle Water Refill System Step 1:Water from a 40-litre UV-treated Mineral brand bottle is pumped into smaller 1.5-litre refillable water containers.  Mineral consistently tests as the best available drinking water in…

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    Regenerating Nature: Winners from the 2023 Sustainability Awards
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    Regenerating Nature: Winners from the 2023 Sustainability Awards

    EXO Foundation’s Sustainability Awards were held in September 2023. Join us in celebrating the honourees for the Regenerating Nature category.Asia offers a diverse tapestry of natural habitats, ranging from lush rainforests to serene waterways. Yet over recent decades, these habitats have come under threat from rapid urbanisation, deforestation, pollution and climate change. The ripple effect of habitat degradation in Asia is profound. Many species, once abundant, are now on the brink of extinction. The ecological imbalance not only jeopardises wildlife but also impacts millions of people who rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods and well-being.  Unchecked and unsustainable tourism practices have further stressed ecosystems, disturbed wildlife and contributed to habitat degradation. Ironically, as habitats and wildlife disappear, the very allure that draws tourists to Asia’s great outdoors is also at risk. EXO Foundation Sustainability Awards is proud to support and promote organisations working to improve people’s lives through tourism. We are honoured to announce the following awards given for the category of ‘Regenerating Nature’  Sustainability Awards for Regenerating Nature: Honouring organisations working to protect natural habitats and wildlife in Asia. Winner (Not for Profit): Bayon School (Cambodia)Bayon School promotes sustainable agriculture through education. Since opening in 2021, the school has aimed to support the…

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    Climate Action: Winners from the 2023 Sustainability Awards
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    Climate Action: Winners from the 2023 Sustainability Awards

    EXO Foundation’s Sustainability Awards were held in September 2023. In this blog, we introduce the honorees for the Climate Action category.With its diverse ecosystems and a significant portion of the world’s population, Asia is critically positioned in the climate action narrative. The continent, and its inhabitants, face direct impacts of climate change and impactful, sustainable action is urgently needed.Tourism in Asia, while a significant economic driver, also contributes to environmental challenges. In addition to carbon emissions generated by travel, tourists create increased waste and a strain on local resources. Balancing tourism growth and environmental sustainability is essential for the long-term health of Asia’s nature and local communities. Thankfully, there are a growing number of organisations working to reduce the tourism industry’s impact on climate change. The 2023 EXO Foundation Sustainability Awards supported and promoted such projects that seek to innovate sustainability in Asia and we are proud to announce the following awards given for the ‘Climate Action’ category. Sustainability Awards for Climate Action: Honouring organisations working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Winner (Not for Profit): EHT Paul Dubrule SchoolEHT Paul Dubrule School (Cambodia) is a vocational hospitality and tourism training school. With the foundation of its EcoCampus, the school aims…

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    Travel for Good: EXO’s Sustainability Rating System
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    Travel for Good: EXO’s Sustainability Rating System

    At EXO, we aim to be responsible in all that we do and strive to create experiences and itineraries that generate positive impacts both for the local communities and for our planet. Travel for Good was developed so that we can evaluate the sustainability practices of each of our travel experiences and tours and measure their impact on our destinations, for both locals and our planet. This systematic rating scheme was designed and implemented by our Sustainability Coordinators over the last decade, taking inspiration from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. For each experience we offer, we rate it according to the following 11 Travel For Good criteria. By providing these indicators, we are able to guide our travellers into making more responsible choices that have a positive impact in the countries they’re visiting. Low Carbon: Experiences where the main form of transport is walking, trekking, hiking, cycling, or taking public transport. Nature conservation: Experiences that include entrance fees that are being used to protect these areas, such as national parks and sites that encourage locals to preserve nature. These sites cannot be suffering from Mass Tourism. Ethical Wildlife tourism:  Experiences that include animal encounters or wildlife discovery with organizations that are…

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    EXO’s Responsible Hotel Rating System
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    EXO’s Responsible Hotel Rating System

    EXO uses a comprehensive rating scheme to help us, and our partners, make informed choices of accommodation.Our Hotel Responsible Rating System works on a star basis: 1 star: Responsible- the property observes eco-friendly and/or socially aware practices2 stars: Very Responsible- the property goes out of its way to ensure eco-friendly and/or socially aware practices are being observed3 stars: Outstanding/Excellent - the property goes above and beyond in their responsible practices for eco-friendly and/or socially aware purposes In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the star ratings, assessment process and the evaluation criteria. AssessmentThe first step in EXO’s Responsible Hotel Rating System is a self-assessment conducted by the property. This comprehensive evaluation includes a list of detailed questions addressing the specific practices of the property.After EXO has received the self-assessment and any supporting documents, our expert Sustainability Coordinators follow up with a second, on-site inspection of the property aimed at confirming the accuracy of the submitted information. In addition, the EXO evaluator inspects additional aspects of the hotel ranging from its shops, restaurants and rooms to reception, housekeeping and waste management.  Evaluation CriteriaThe questions used in the assessments relate to the following three topics:Socio-economic benefits towards the communityCommunications on responsible tourism Environmental…

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