The primary aim of Lóa Travel’s operations is to have a positive impact on the environment: on nature, culture, society and the economy.
In support of this vision, Lóa Travel builds on sustainable, responsible and regenerative practices for the future. We consider economic, social and cultural factors, with an emphasis on our guests, our staff and local people. Our goal is for tourism to develop in harmony with the local community, so that everyone benefits.
This policy aims to align our operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to contribute to positive, lasting impact on the local community.
Environmental responsibility: nature first
Goal: To minimise our environmental footprint and promote responsible use of resources.
Actions:
- We take part in, and initiate, community projects such as cleaning up the local environment, litter picking and waste sorting.
- We prioritise trips that rely on walking, horses and bicycles. When guests or luggage need to be transported, we use electric vehicles where possible and share rides to reduce our carbon footprint.
- We follow the Leave No Trace principles. Guests are guided carefully around sensitive vegetation and natural areas.
- We encourage the use of reusable water bottles and lunch boxes wherever possible, and we strive to minimise single-use packaging. Where single-use packaging is necessary, it should be biodegradable as far as possible.
Social responsibility: strengthening the community
Goal: To support the development of tourism in the region, create jobs, and foster respect and cooperation within the community.
Actions:
- We seek to work with small, family-run businesses in our local community for accommodation, food, activities and transport.
- We seek to employ guides from the local area: people who know the region, its history and its culture well. In this way, we want to ensure that revenue stays in the region and that cultural heritage is shared with respect.
- We emphasise travel outside peak season and to places off the beaten track, in order to relieve pressure on individual sites.
Food, culture and local life
Goal: To preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the area while addressing the effects of climate change.
Actions:
- We make an effort to choose restaurants that emphasise locally sourced ingredients.
- We make an effort to minimise food waste in every way we can.