Khiri Travel, the leading sustainable Asia DMC, aims to maximize the positive effects of tourism on individuals and local communities, while minimizing negative social, environmental and economic impacts. Our company strongly advocates that sustainability is no longer a luxury, but a must-do so we leave a world that is livable for our children. Responsible travel practices are at the core of our product development and operations. We have also made a firm commitment towards social and environmental sustainability throughout our supply chain. You can read about all of this via the links on this page.Please feel free to contact us with any comments, questions, complaints or suggestions you might have to sustainability@khiri.com.
In sharing our passion for discovery
we are constantly developing
new sustainable initiatives.
At Khiri Travel, we are committed to growing our business
in a sustainable manner.
Khiri Travel: A Fully Sustainable
Destination Management Company
Being a trusted destination management company (DMC) means the world to us. With over twenty years experience, we are leading the charge in responsible tourism.
Travelife Certified
Travelife is a training, management and certification initiative for tourism companies committed to reaching greater sustainability. The Travelife system aims to help DMCs, tour operators and travel agencies manage and improve social, environmental and economic impacts (the triple-bottom line) by complying with over 200 sustainability criteria.
In January 2020, Khiri Travel became the very first DMC to be Travelife certified in all destinations.
STEP Bronze Certification
Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization with the purpose of collaborating with destinations, businesses and travelers to implement innovative sustainable tourism development and conservation.
Khiri Travel: Sustainability Policies
At Khiri Travel we are committed to growing our business in a sustainable manner. Khiri Travel aims to maximize the positive effects of tourism on individuals and local communities, while minimizing negative social, environmental and economic impacts.
Our company strongly advocates that sustainability is no longer a luxury, but a must-do so we leave a world that is livable for our children. Responsible travel practices are at the core of our product development and operations. We have also made a firm commitment towards social and environmental sustainability throughout our supply chain.
Our Sustainability Policies describe in more detail how we put this commitment into practice.
Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Policy
People Interactions and
Sustainability at Khiri Travel
RESPECTING COMMUNITIES
At Khiri Travel, we believe that forming a community is vital to the success of any endeavor. A community requires respect, a sense of safety and security, and pathways to develop and grow. Our teams and workplace are built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect for one another. This philosophy extends to all aspects of operations and our local partners at our various destinations.
CHILDSAFE TOURISM
The Child Safe Tourism campaign aims to empower travelers with knowledge and information on the simple actions to protect children and young people from danger and abuse in tourism areas. The Child Safe Tourism campaign seeks to combat the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in travel activities in developing countries, particularly in South East Asia.
DESTINATIONS
Khiri Travel promotes sustainable & responsible development in all our destinations in order to minimize any negative impact tourism may have. By working with local businesses and tour operators, we can preserve the country’s culture, environment, and society together.
Growing Together
With strong relationships built on trust and safety, we can nurture an environment that promotes sustainable growth.
Environmental Awareness at Khiri Travel
Glass Water Bottles in Hotels
To help travelers set the right example and to decrease their carbon footprint, we encourage acting on ways to minimize waste. Can you imagine a world where travelers reject the wastefulness of using disposable plastic water bottles? Following is a growing overview of hotels in Indonesia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam that actively seek to reduce, reuse and recycle by offering water to guests in glass bottles or by offering filtered tap water to their guests.
Travelers Against Plastic
Khiri Travel supports TAP Travelers Against Plastic – a United States based non-profit organization. TAP aims to educate travelers on the importance of using reusable water containers instead of buying and using plastic bottles. It is better for the traveler, the people they visit and for the planet.
Plant A Tree Today
Plant A Tree Today (PATT) is a UK registered charity and a Thailand Foundation operating throughout the Southeast Asia region. PATT initiates, develops and manages large-scale reforestation projects countering deforestation and climate change.
Animal in Tourism: Animal Encounters
and Responsible Tourism
At Khiri Travel, we understand that the issue of using elephants for tourism-related purposes is a controversial topic. As such, we have reviewed our position and trying to ensure that we are following best practices’ aligned with the Elephant Camp Animal Welfare and Sustainability Standard and Assessment Guidelines by Travelife and ACES, the Asian Captive Elephant Standards.”
Responsible Tourism and Animal Encounters
At Khiri Travel, we believe that viewing wild animals in their natural habitat is the best way to experience the incredible biodiversity Asia still has to offer. However, when not managed responsibly, wildlife encounters have the potential to harm animal welfare and conservation efforts.
Animal Welfare Policy
There are many opportunities for travelers to view or interact with animals in the countries in which Khiri Travel operates. Such experiences can raise awareness for the plight of these animals under pressure from diminishing habitats. These travel experiences can also create interest in supporting rehabilitation and conservation efforts and thereby increase animal protection.
PLANET
Travel Products actively conserve the environment and support the restoration of native flora and fauna at holiday destinations. While promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle in our destinations, our activities continue to educate local people about reducing their footprint and environmental impact.
PEOPLE
Sustainable Products should have a positive impact on the local community. As our partners empower their communities about their products, simultaneously promoting the local culture and traditions while advocating social equality and supporting underprivileged or marginalized groups.
Climate Emergency Declaration
In 2023 we will continue to run our business as sustainably as possible. As many regions in the world have declared a climate emergency, Khiri Travel’s destinations are not immune to such problems.
Khiri Travel is proud to start the new decade as a signatory of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency. While we believe tourism, conducted sustainably and responsibly, has positive effects that contribute to the planet and people, we must also acknowledge tourism’s impact on our climate. Khiri Travel is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals across the seven countries in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Khiri Reach, our nonprofit organization, works with local communities and organizations to implement initiatives addressing climate change.
By signing the Tourism Climate Emergency Declaration, we will further reduce our carbon footprint as we commit to the following points:
1. Developing a ‘Climate Emergency Plan’
Within 12 months, we will have a detailed plan to help us to monitor, evaluate, and improve our environmental impact. As we publish this plan, our internal management and the impact of our supply chain will be more transparent and accountable.
2. Sharing our commitment and progress publicly
“Our Climate Emergency Plan helps us to monitor, evaluate and improve our environmental impact. We will adjust and add actions if needed and monitor our progress regularly. We will share our annual report each year, outlining our progress, as well as potential failures.”
3. Cutting carbon emissions
Khiri Travel is committed to achieving carbon neutrality. Our carbon calculations include CO2 emissions generated by Khiri’s offices in seven Asian destinations, staff commuting, and all business travel by Khiri employees. Once travelers arrive in Southeast Asia, Khiri Travel will offset carbon emissions for guest trips by charging US$1.50 per person per day. The aim is to offset entire itineraries, including accommodation, activities, and transport.
For 2023, the carbon offset fees included in client itineraries will be invested in social and environmental initiatives vetted by Khiri’s top management and organized through the Khiri REACH Foundation, working with trusted, mission-aligned partners.
The Khiri offices will continue to measure energy use, continually looking for opportunities to conserve energy and reduce our carbon footprint. In 2023, we will support local organizations whose work benefits our communities and the environment. These organizations are vetted to ensure that the donations are used to create a measurable positive impact in one of four areas:
- The environment
- Land/marine wildlife
- Community
- Culture & heritage
4. Collaborating together
Khiri Travel works closely with partners and suppliers to actively raise awareness and participate in eco-friendly initiatives. With our competitors and within the industry, we work towards having unified and widely accepted sustainable best practices in Asia.
5. Advocating permanent change
Khiri Travel recognizes the need for systemic change across the whole travel and hospitality industry. As we call for urgent regulatory action to accelerate the transition towards zero-carbon air travel, Khiri Travel financially supports local partners that are dedicated to conserving their local environment.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out at sustainability@khiri.com.
For more information about Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, please visit tourismdeclares.com.
Khiri’s Climate Emergency Plan (PDF – Climate Emergency Plan)
sustainability
is our priority
Our Sustainability Partners
