Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia tour

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
All of our trips aim to have a positive impact on the countries, communities and environments we visit. Our policy draws on the criteria set out by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and tries to recognise many of the principles within the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

This adventure through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia has been designed to specifically not require the use of any internal flights. For the international flights to Baku and from Yerevan we suggest that our customers calculate their estimated impact on the environment of their flights (we send a link) and choose to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to act on their emissions if possible, or purchase carbon offsets from certified climate projects

Once we are in the region we do minimise our carbon footprint. All of our food is locally sourced and we are using locally owned and managed hotels. Vegan and vegetarian food is available but must be requested in advance.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
On this tour we are committed to reduce the environmental impacts of our visit. Our guides are all locally based and experts in the region that we travel to. Within the tour there are many opportunities to meet with local communities, such as the villagers in Kaspi where the younger generation continues the traditions left by their ancestors. They are helping to protect the region with the use and promotion of environmentally sustainable tourism and we learn meet them and learn about the efforts.

Our team don’t use plastic bags in our office or on our tours - when purchasing items, and food for trips, we use reusable fabric bags. Any plastic bottles we do generate we give to remote communities who re-use them as storage containers.

Our clients are encouraged to deal with waste appropriately and limit their use of single-use plastic. On our tours, to reduce the usage of plastic bottles, we use large containers to fill smaller reusable bottles for clients. Our aim is to include personalised reusable metal drinking bottles for all clients, which will be provided on arrival and can be used long after their tour has finished.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
We strive to generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhance the well-being of the communities we visit whilst still providing a positive and rewarding experience for our customers. Our business aims to minimise the negative social, economic and environmental impacts of tourism. For example when we visit a family run cheese farm near Yerevan and get acquainted with traditional techniques and methods of cheese making. We also visit Alluria, a small winery where the family make wines using unique techniques.

We aim to use 100% locally owned accommodation on this tour. The tour also uses 100% local guides and drivers.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
We understand that the responsibility and action needed in a particular location will depend upon the local environment and culture. Tourism is one of the most important and largest industries on the planet. It accounts for 11% of the world’s GDP and 12% of its exports. It employs more people worldwide than any other industry, with millions of families relying on tourism for their daily needs.

All of the team that we use for this tour are based locally and there are also plenty of chances to meet local families. For example when we visit a refugee village near Tserovani, set up to house refugees fleeing from the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Here we will visit a family, that experienced the cruelty of war, and this can be an emotional experience.

All employees have health and life insurance covered by the company and they offer the highest standard of salary and working environment. Being socially responsible and environmentally conscious with minimal impact on the environment and local culture and heritage is embedded in the company culture.