Maximising the benefits of travel while minimising its impacts
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. Using this rating scheme, we create itineraries and select hotels with the objective of generating positive and minimising negative impacts in our destinations.
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Travel for Good Tours
Multiday tours are a combination of a series of experiences, stays, and transfers so it’s hard to say that a tour is truly sustainable. However, certain tours can have an overall focus on criteria that have a positive impact on their environments so we’ve also categorized these according to their travel styles.
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Travel for Good Tours
Multiday tours are a combination of a series of experiences, stays, and transfers so it’s hard to say that a tour is truly sustainable. However, certain tours can have an overall focus on criteria that have a positive impact on their environments so we’ve also categorized these according to their travel styles.
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Responsible hotel rating system
In addition to the work we do to ensure that guests’ travels have the biggest positive and smallest negative impacts possible in the destinations they visit, we also ensure that guests supplied information that allows them to select responsible hotels. Below is an overview of this process.
Step 1
Self Assessment
Hotels that we work with are asked to do a self assessment that covers a number of categories looking at socio-economic benefits provided to the local community, communication of topics related to responsible tourism and environmental preservation and more. Each category features a number of detailed questions addressing specific issues which are then scored based on the answer.
Step 2
On Site Inspection
In addition to the self-assessment, Sustainability Coordinators also visit the property to confirm the checklist is accurate and to inspect additional aspects of the hotel ranging from its shops, restaurants and rooms to reception, housekeeping and waste management.
Step 3
Rating
Each assessment is tallied and, based on the results, properties are rewarded with either one, two or three star ratings depending on how effective and beneficial the property’s sustainable practices are. In particular, the following criteria play a key role in the award of Eco-Friendly and Socially Aware recognitions.
Learn moreResponsible Hotels
After the above process is complete, hotels are then classified in our booking system as fitting into the below categories. Here is just a sample of the many responsible hotels in our destinations.
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Responsible Hotels
After the above process is complete, hotels are then classified in our booking system as fitting into the below categories. Here is just a sample of the many responsible hotels in our destinations.
Login to view all -
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Japan Etiquette: Tips every traveller should know
EXO’s insight for navigating cultural norms in Japan
EXO’s Purpose Team expansion: Driving sustainability forward
New members support efforts to align our people and actions with our purpose
B Corp Month: Celebrating business as a force for good
EXO joins annual campaign to increase B Corp awareness
The B Corp difference: Understanding the meaning of certification
Why this holistic, universal certification stands out
Cambodia’s Giant Puppet Parade: A creative community event
EXO is proud supporter of this annual festival
Travel with purpose: EXO’s Travel for Good system
A deep dive into the origins and impact of Travel For Good
What is a B Corporation & why are they important?
A global movement for sustainability and social responsibility
EXO Foundation: A new coconut fibre road for Con Ho island
Donation will improve accessibility in the rainy season
Empowering Communities: Winners from the 2023 Sustainability Awards
Learn about the Sustainability Award winners for Community Empowerment
Meet our Purpose team
Our dedicated Purpose team helps ensure that our values and our purpose are a focal point in everything we do.
Alexandra Michat
Chief Purpose OfficerEXO Travel Group
Born in France, Alexandra first stepped foot in Asia in 2011 and soon fell in love with the region. Alexandra has professional expertise with social enterprises and non profit organisations working towards local development. Her deep passion for sustainability brought her to join EXO Hanoi, first as Vietnam's sustainability coordinator before rising up to her current position as EXO's lead in sustainability in 2018.
Joy
Director of PeopleEXO Travel Group
Joy brings two decades of human resource management experience to her role as Director of People and Culture. Her passion for team culture and empowering people fuels her efforts to make EXO a great place to work.
Joy studied Travel Industry Management and spent the first part of her career working for hotel and airline businesses. Through this experience, Joy honed her skills for human resources and developed a deep appreciation for positive corporate cultures. As Director of People and Culture, she proudly champions the ‘ONE EXO’ spirit, working alongside in-destination leadership to create an amazing, sustainable working environment.
Jiraphat Briand
Sustainablity LeaderEXO Travel Group
Jiraphat Briand brings an impressive science-based background to her role as Sustainability Leader. After obtaining her MBA in Enterprise Management, Jiraphat worked in the ecology and energy sectors, focusing on internal audits, compliance, and data analysis. Since joining EXO in 2023, Jiraphat has leaned on that experience to track EXO’s sustainability efforts and assess data in order to formulate recommendations for improvement. Her work is fueled by a personal commitment to driving positive change and a passion for sustainable practices, which helps strengthen the collective mission of the Purpose Team.
Mayura Buranawattanachok
Systems SpecialistEXO Travel Group
Mayura Buranawattanachok is our Systems Specialist, providing valuable support for our teams across EXO’s internal platforms and networks. Mayura first joined EXO upon graduating university in 2011 but left to study and travel in the US. She returned in 2014 as Regional System Specialist, championing EXO’s internal Intranet and laying the foundation for her current role.
Outside of work, Mayura loves to travel. She has visited more than fifteen countries and climbed Mt Fuji and Kota Kinabalu. Next on her list, Everest Base Camp! She attributes much of her drive and positivity to her experience working with EXO and the One EXO spirit.
Charlotte Piffard
EXO Foundation LeaderEXO Travel Group
As EXO Foundation Leader, Charlotte Piffard is tasked with monitoring our support of existing projects, forging relationships with new projects and driving awareness of our sustainable and responsible experiences. Her connections to Asia run deep, having her formative years in the region then returning to commence her professional tourism career with product and managerial roles in Nepal, Cambodia and Thailand.
A mother of two kids, a certified yoga teacher and a fierce rugby player, Charlotte brings passion and dedication to all that she does.
Sustainable Policies & Guidelines Action:
Climate Action
Operating in Asia for 30+ years, we've seen climate change's impact. Committed to IPCC's carbon reduction goal for 2030, our Climate Action Plan assesses our footprint. With expert collaborations, like with NEXUS, we accurately gauge and reduce our carbon footprint across all operations. Learn more.
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Ethics
EXO Travel's Ethical Code governs its business conduct. It ensures decisions are ethical and vital for business health. The code fosters fair relationships with customers, competitors, staff, destinations, and suppliers. All employees, including management, are bound by it, influencing every decision. Each employee must adhere to the code.
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Wildlife Code of Conduct
EXO Travel prioritises ecosystems and animal welfare, partnering only with sites that respect animal treatment. Guided by NGOs like TRAFFIC, WCS, WWF, and Elephant Asia, we've set the 'Five Freedoms' standard for animals in tourism, covering their essential well-being needs. We rigorously assess suppliers to ensure these standards are upheld.
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Responsible Travel
EXO Travel champions ethical standards, including equal opportunities and anti-corruption. We emphasise environmental sustainability via carbon compensation, waste reduction and green sourcing. We ensure partners meet high environmental and social standards. Committed to community, we support local businesses, tackle destination challenges and prioritise child protection.
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Child Protection
At EXO Travel, we prioritise child protection in Asia. Since 2016, we've been the first to achieve ChildSafe certification globally. We endorse the UN's Convention of Children’s RIGHTS, seeing children as individuals with unique rights. Beyond tourism, our goal is sustainable development in our regions. We strive to ensure safe environments for kids, especially where poverty challenges their rights.
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Tips for Responsible Travellers
As part of our responsibility as stewards of our destinations, we make it easy for guests to make informed and consionable decisions about how they travel, interact with locals and enjoy themselves. These Tips for Responsible Travellers are a clear guideline that allows guests to do just this.
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Accolades & Certifications
