“This is a story of our changing planet, and what we can do to help it thrive…”
Sir David Attenborough
At Airguides we believe that sustainable travel benefits everyone in the travel ecosystem. The lighter our footprints, the better the experience for travellers.
By creating guidelines for each of our trips, we create exceptional service for our travellers, Storytellers and travel operators, while acknowledging the impact of travel on local communities and environments. We only partner with Storytellers and tourism businesses who share our values, so we can ensure our guidelines are supported at every stage of the journey.
In order for sustainability to remain embedded in our operations, we take a holistic view of our company and its various points of impact. This means looking beyond our balance sheet to the areas intrinsically linked to our business: the environment, society, economy and governance/ethics. We want to ensure that we're taking responsibility for our impact in these areas and contributing to, rather than diminishing, their health and value.
Launched by the UN in 2015, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, strengthen universal peace, and limit climate change. The 17 goals are outlined in the key document, Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and reaching these goals will take everyone’s contribution - including government, civil society and business.
Airguides has identified seven SDGs that best align to our business’ key focus areas and we work to contribute to, rather than diminish, their health and value.
By focusing on these goals, we’re ensuring a strong commitment to the global agenda and to being a company that balances purpose and profit:
5: Gender equality
Tourism can empower women in many ways, but particularly through the creation of
jobs and income generating opportunities.
8: Decent work and economic growth
Tourism is one of the driving forces of global economic growth and before the pandemic, accounted for one in every 10 jobs worldwide.
11: Sustainable cities and communities
A city that is not good for its citizens is not good for tourists.
13: Climate action
Tourism stakeholders should play a leading role in the global response to climate change.
14: Life Below Water
Tourism can contribute to healthy oceans, seas, reefs and marine areas, on which many countries, including island states, rely.
15: Life on Land
Tourism can contribute toward conservation and the protection of biodiverse areas, including national parks, forests and mountain regions.
17: Partnerships for the goals
Due to its cross-sectorial nature, tourism can strengthen private/public partnerships and engage multiple stakeholders – international, national, regional and local – to work together to achieve SDGs and other common goals.
Sustainable travel is at the core of our story and is reflected in everything we do. As we grow our company and profits, our team is committed to also scale our positive impact and contribute to a more sustainable travel industry.
