Excursion Policy

Purpose & Scope

Footprint Adventure is committed to promoting sustainable excursions across all destinations. When selecting excursion suppliers, whether our own or local partners, we prioritize sustainable, ethical, and high-quality practices. This policy governs supplier selection and recommendation and is part of our overarching Sustainability Policy. It becomes effective after approval by the Managing Director and will be reviewed every two years. 

Guiding Principles

Right Experience at the Right Value

All excursions, regardless of price, must be safe, hygienic, culturally respectful, and environmentally responsible. Where available, preference is given to activities and excursions which operate based on acknowledged and controlled sustainability standards.

Fair Business Conduct

Suppliers must operate transparently, respect human rights, uphold local laws, ensure fair wages and equitable working conditions, and avoid child exploitation. The company offers no activities that harm humans, animals, plants, natural resources (e.g. water/energy), or which are socially/culturally unacceptable.

Minimizing Socio-Environmental Impact

Preferred suppliers actively reduce environmental footprints, support biodiversity, and engage local communities responsibly.

Evaluation Criteria for Excursion Suppliers

We assess suppliers via:

• Site visits by our Sustainability Coordinator or Manager
• On-field guide observations
• Client feedback forms

Assessment components include:

Human Care & Labor

• Fair wages and working conditions (reasonable hours, breaks)
• No child labor, if youth under 14 are employed, only under supervised internship.

No Plastics Policy

• No single-use plastic items or water bottles; suppliers must provide reusable jugs or refill stations.

Waste Management

• Clearly separated waste streams (organic for composting, plastics for recycling) and initiatives beyond basic waste handling where feasible.

Energy Efficiency

• Use of energy-saving lighting and equipment; encouragement of guest participation through signage or automated systems to switch off appliances.

Water Conservation

• Practices to reduce waste, such as efficient use and responsible sourcing of water.

Child Protection & Community Respect

• Zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation; compliance requirements echoed across Travelife-certified operators.

Sourcing & Community Value

• Encourage local fair-trade sourcing for food, materials, and services.
• Suppliers should integrate local architecture or cultural elements into their offerings and deliver measurable community value (e.g. heritage sponsorship, local festivals).

Biodiversity Care

• Excursions and attractions in which captive wildlife is held are not offered, except for activities that are properly regulated and are in compliance with local, national, and international laws. Excursions that include interactions with wildlife comply with relevant codes of conduct.

Prohibited Items for Export or Import

Please note that the following items cannot be exported or imported:

• Coins of archaeological value
• Idols of gods and goddesses
• Tad Patra (palm-leaf inscriptions) and Bhoj Patra (plant-leaf inscriptions)
• Thanka paintings of historical importance
• Wild animals or any of their parts (including musk, snake skin, and lizard skin)
• Narcotic drugs such as marijuana, opium, and hashish
• Materials used in arms and ammunition production
• Raw wool

Violation of these rules is a punishable offense.

Supplier Engagement Strategy

• Onboarding & Contracts
• All regular suppliers sign a Code of Conduct including clauses on child labor, corruption, and biodiversity protection.
• Preference given to providers aligning with Travelife or responsible travel standards.

Capacity Building

• Periodic training sessions, sharing of self-evaluation tools and manuals, and site visits or guide feedback loops.

Incentives & Sanctions

• High-performing suppliers may receive marketing benefits, preferential contract terms, or volume-based incentives.
• Non-compliance triggers written warnings; persistent issues lead to termination and blacklisting.

Guidelines for Sensitive and Cultural Excursions

For excursions to UNESCO sites, indigenous communities, or protected areas, specific behavioral guidelines will apply:

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Email & Contracts: Excursion providers receive our Sustainability Code of Conduct, visibility into Travelife standards, and requests for signed acknowledgment.
• Training & Visits: Guiding staff and managers in conducting on-site awareness discussions and sharing recommended practices.