Sustainable Accommodation Policy
Our company strives to promote sustainable accommodation.
The environmental friendliness of the accommodation facility is of paramount importance, as it allows our company to extend the practice of sustainable development to the central element of our visits. In most cases, we choose housing for our clients, but when there is a choice of housing, our clients can choose it. In this case, our policy is to recommend to our guests the most acceptable accommodation options within their budget. When choosing accomondation, we give preference to institutions that adhere to sustainable practices in all aspects of their activities.
Scope
This policy will be part of the Sustainable Development Policy. The policy applies to the choice of hosting providers with which our company cooperates.
This policy comes into force immediately after approval by the Director-General and its distribution to the staff. The policy will be officially reviewed every 2 years to ensure its relevance. The Chief Executive Officer or an official authorized by this body must approve any deviation from this policy.
Principles of Sustainable Accommodation
In our efforts to select the most sustainable housing providers, we give preference to establishments that follow these fundamental principles:
1. Comfort corresponds to the price
The establishment is hygienic, sanitary, and safe and is able to offer good comfort and service in accordance with the expectations of our guests. Sustainable hosting methods can be found in all price ranges; that is why we strive to identify the most sustainable options available within our customers' budgets.
2. Fair trade
The institution adheres to fair business practices, including transparency and compliance with the law, human rights, and economic/social justice, as well as environmental and animal protection.
3. Minimizes the impact on the environment and society
The Institution gives priority to sustainable practices, striving to minimize their impact on the environment and society.
General considerations on sustainable development
Currently, there is no internationally certified housing in Central Asia, but there are institutions recognized for their best practices. Sustainable methods can be found in all budget ranges. That is why our company mainly studies their practices to determine the most responsible suppliers.
Housing ratings by our company can be carried out in several ways:
- Site visit by the coordinator/responsible for the sustainable development of our company
- Observations of our guide
- Customer Feedback form
The following considerations will be taken into account when evaluating accommodation facilities and will determine the preferences of our company:
Caring for a person
We strive to work with establishments that take care of their human resources, which is of paramount importance for the hotel sector. Therefore, we evaluate whether the institution offers good working conditions for its employees (minimum wage, reasonable working hours, appropriate lunch hours, etc.).
No plastic policy
The hotel minimizes the use of plastic and, as a rule, does not offer its guests plastic water bottles. Instead, the establishment provides places where guests can fill the pitchers provided in the room and their own bottles.
Wastes
We check that at least organic waste for composting and plastic/metal/glass for recycling are separated in the room. Preference will be given to facilities that are able to go beyond these basic waste management methods.
Energy efficiency
The hotel adheres to the principles of energy efficiency, such as energy-saving light bulbs and energy-efficient equipment. The housing provider advises its guests (for example, by using signs in rooms and corridors) to turn off lights and electrical appliances when they are not in use, or has implemented a comprehensive shutdown plan (automated system). If the company is not connected to the national grid, it will not use an oil generator. It can use solar energy, hydropower, candles, and a wood-burning stove. The use of strictly dead wood for heating the room (yurt or mountain hut).
Water use efficiency
The accommodation uses water efficiently. Places with a water-saving system on their "western" toilets and showers will be preferable to others. Places where flushing is used for the toilet and/or shower with a bucket also have clear control over the amount used.
Protection of the rights of the child
The institution ensures the observance and protection of the rights of the child. If the supplier employs children under the age of 14, the company must ensure that special working conditions are created to protect them (for example, part-time or internship).
Local supplies
Guests are encouraged to buy and use local food made in accordance with the principles of fair trade and sustainable development.
Protection of biological diversity
The placement limits as much as possible the negative impact of char on local and global biodiversity (for example, the absence of species listed in the Red Book in the menu).
Genuine charm
A residential building (exterior and/or interior) includes elements of art, architecture, or local cultural heritage. The staff wears traditional clothes. A warm welcome has been organized.
Social values
The institution respects the intellectual property rights of local communities and contributes to the local community in any way possible (for example, sponsorship of local events, donations to local heritage sites).
Stimulating the improvement of sustainable methods
Our company adheres to a long-term strategy of increasing the sustainability of conventional hosting providers. Upon request or on our own initiative, we support joint initiatives with other tour operators and/or interested parties to promote the sustainable development of accommodation facilities in our destinations.
Whenever possible, we discuss with the owner/manager of the accommodation his current practice and what he could do to follow more sustainable practices (for example, through a visit from our manager or through our guides).
In addition, we can share standards and best practice tips with our hosting providers, including:
- Hotel certification information, such as Travelife for Hotels
- Self-assessment tools
- Training manuals
Sanction
If it turns out that the hosting provider is acting in accordance with unstable practices, our company will issue them a warning. If this supplier does not change its practice, our company will cease all forms of cooperation (informal and contractual) and will blacklist this company for further cooperation.
Communication with accommodation providers
Our company interacts with accommodation institutions in various ways.
Email
Most often we communicate by email and phone. Especially when sending emails, we can report on certain aspects of sustainable development.
Facebook Group "The family from Nomad's Land”
The most up-to-date information can be found in our Facebook group “The Nomad's Land family". When you are part of this group, you accept our philosophy and are interested in becoming more sustainable.
Website
To avoid unnecessary waste of paper, we invest a lot in our website: You can find the entire sustainability policy on our website.
Contracts
We sign contracts with hosting providers with whom we work regularly and with a sufficient number of clients. These contracts include an overview of our codes of conduct and sanctions, which suppliers read and sign after approval.
Visit in person
When we have the opportunity, we personally visit the housing and explain to them how they could improve their services and become more sustainable. In many cases, it is our guides who convey these messages.
What we report
Our company promotes as a mandatory policy:
- Child labor
- Fight against corruption
- Energy efficiency and efficiency of water resources use
- Wastes
- Protecting biodiversity
Encouragement
Our company will give priority to working with accommodation facilities that are able to operate in a sustainable manner, taking responsibility for their impact on the environment and society. When we have sufficient volume, we can offer additional benefits, such as hotel marketing on our website or special contractual terms.
Approval date: December 2021
