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 involvement is not just about reducing plastic usage; it’s about actively participating in reshaping an ecosystem where proper recycling programs are still in their infancy and where countless informal workers face precarious conditions.’
By becoming a signatory, EXO Travel has made ambitious commitments to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics, shift towards reusable models, and ensure that all plastic packaging and items are reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative requires its signatories to adhere to a set of actionable commitments by 2025. These include actions such as transitioning away from single-use plastics to reusable vessels, increasing recycling and composting rates for plastic and public reporting for transparency and accountability.
A few of EXO’s 2023 accomplishments on our journey to zero plastic:
- Developed and distributed materials to encouraging travellers to bring their own resuable bottles to refill while travelling with EXO
- Conducted training for 650 tour guides, focused on reducing single-use plastic on tours
- Enhanced recycling programs with our major transport companies, including training 300+ drivers, to ensure plastic is being collected and recycled properly
- Implemented sustainability self-assessments with 20+ of our top partner hotels, including questions on single-use plastic reduction
- Recognised and rewarded plastic reduction through EXO Foundation’s annual Sustainability Awards, with total awards valued at more than 40,000 USD.
- Created targeted waste management training materials for EXO employees, available in our company-wide Learning Management System.
- Via the EXO Foundation, provided financial support to organsiations working to repurpose and recycle plastic: PatiHoub Laos and Reform Vietnam
‘We see this as an opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating that responsible tourism can be a powerful driver of environmental and social progress’.
Looking to the future
Our journey towards sustainable tourism is ongoing, and we remain committed to making a positive impact on the environment, our communities, and the world at large.
With our engagement with the Global Tourism Plastic Initiative, EXO Travel is proud to be working towards a future where tourism and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Alexandra concludes, ‘We see this as an opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating that responsible tourism can be a powerful driver of environmental and social progress’.
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