RESPONSIBLE MINDFUL TRAVEL
Because it's the right thing to do
Our commitment
We truly believe that responsible travel is the only way for the future of travel.
Together we can make this world a better place.
We love what we do and have a deep passion for travel in our destinations. We are so privileged to work and live in these countries with such diverse cultures and incredible nature. We believe that travel can have a positive impact on both the destination and the traveler, if done well.
Protect the environment
We are commited to the environment
Respect cultures & destinations
We are commited to respecting diverse cultures and heritage
Protect Animals
We are commited to respecting the rights of animals
Support economies & communities
We are commited to supporting local communities.
Our Mission
It is our mission to provide our travelers with authentic and immerse experiences and educate them on treading lightly, understanding cultural differences and the respect that comes with it and to share the beauty of our natural surroundings, that cannot continue to exist without the support and understanding that we need to protect and preserve..
WE CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
We actively look and promote the triple impact in everything we do.
We actively look and promote the triple impact in everything we do.
We take extra care to choose environment-friendly services and practices:
our transport
We are committed to measure carbon emissions on our trips with the aim to reduce. We give preference to public transportation, shuttle services and fuel-efficient vehicles
We promote excursions on foot and bike to explore our wonderful cities in a fun and safe way.
our accomodation
We prefer small boutique style hotels representing their countries’ culture. We look for a personalized service and ‘heart’, with preference to responsible accommodation.
We help our preferred partners in optimizing their sustainability best practices by offering training and suggestions.
our guides
our excursions
All our providers understand our sustainability objectives and to empower them to think and act sustainable.
We keep improving the overall sustainability of our excursions and making sure our best practices are being implemented
we believe in responsible travel
We love what we do and have a deep passion for travel in our destinations. We are so privileged to work and live in these countries with such diverse cultures and incredible nature. We believe that travel can have a positive impact on both the destination and the traveler, if done well. It is our mission to provide our travelers with authentic and immerse experiences and educate them on treading lightly, understanding cultural differences and the respect that comes with it and to share the beauty of our natural surroundings, that cannot continue to exist without the support and understanding that we need to protect and preserve.
We truly believe that responsible travel is the only way for the future of travel and that together we can make this world a better place.
our offices
We are committed to reducing the environmental footprint our offices leave and have developed.
We have implemented best practices regarding Purchasing, Energy, Water, Waste management and the use of Paper. Caring for the environment is our priority.
RESPECTING DESTINATIONS
& LOCAL CULTURES
We promote positive and meaningful exchanges between
our company, our travelers and the local places we visit.
Our activities and excursions are conducted with respect for the artistic, archeological and cultural heritage.
Our objective is to highlight the diversity and richness of culture and heritage in destinations.
There is a genuine and respectful interaction between travelers and the local community.
We are Portraying destinations fairly and respectfully in our communications and marketing material.
Our cultural experiences are developed in direct cooperation with the community
BUILD A CHILD-SAFE JOURNEY WITH US
PROTECTING
CHILDREN
Putting child welfare first. We make absolutely sure no child is ever harmed as a result of tourism.
Our guiding principles and procedures:
• All children are human beings, who are the subject and receivers of human rights that Encounter Latin America will respect at all times.
• All children have equal rights to protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation regardless of their gender, race, health situation, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, social background or culture.
• Child abuse is never acceptable.
• All children should be encouraged to fulfill their potential and inequalities should be challenged.
• Everybody has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children
• We train and support our staff in taking action against the sexual exploitation of children
• Our suppliers and the projects we support have a responsibility to meet minimum standards of protection for the children in their programs and activities and understand the procedures if a child is endangered or is a victim of sexual exploitation
PROTECTING
ANIMALS
We believe that wild animals should be kept in the wild and not caged or staged for tourism activities with negative impacts for the animal itself.
We ensure that any animals involved in any of our trips have the right to the five animal freedoms:
- Freedom from hunger or thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease
- Freedom to express normal behavior
- Freedom from fear and distress
BUILD AN ANIMAL FRIENDLY JOURNEY WITH US
SUPPORTING
LOCAL ECONOMIES & COMMUNITIES
We work to maximize the benefits generated by tourism for local
economies and communities.
We employ predominantly local staff
We select local and suppliers that are invested in their community and that help from their end their local economy
We design our excursions and experiences in such a way that we include elements that help alleviate poverty in the destination
We purchase sustainable and locally produced products
We promote sustainable purchases of souvenirs, craft and art with our travelers
We involve the local community in designing the experience for our travelers
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD
travel life partner
CARBON COMPENSATION PROGRAMS
While we work hard to increase the positive impact travel can have on our destinations, we also understand that when we travel, there is an environmental cost involved. Most of our programs are already a carbon compensation, but this can also be added optionally.
REFORESTATION
For our program in Costa Rica we plant trees in Guanacaste where for the past 80 years big parts of tropical dry forest have disappeared and made place for large cattle arms. We’ve purchased over 100 hectares of protected land and started planting native tree species for the last 4 years, we planted around 2500 trees so far.
FOREST PROTECTION
In Brazil, we support a community-based forest management project that combats deforestation and protects vulnerable and endangered species in the Amazon. The project not only creates jobs for local people, but also provides workshops on health care, biodiversity and leadership for women and young people.
SUSTAINABLE POLICIES & GUIDELINES
We love responsible travel.
Our ethical code
Encounter Sustainability Policy
Accommodation Best Practices
Excursion Best Practices
How to be a sustainable Traveller