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Responsible Travel

Cacao Travel Panama > Tours > Responsible Travel

Our Mission

As an agency, we believe that all actors in an economy have a responsibility to be stewards of our planet and the well being of its inhabitants. Therefore, we stand by our commitment to bring sustainability to all aspects of our business.

According to the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism development is one that “takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities”.

Our aim is to achieve this through the development, promotion and enforcement of practices and guidelines for our workplace, for our tours, packages and services and measures to implement with our partners.

Sustainability Policy

Our policies help guarantee high standards when it comes to responsible travel and sustainability across the business, including in our offices and destinations.

We Cacao Travel Group Panamá, are committed to sustainably growing our business. We recognize that the environment, communities, and, cultures within which we operate are vital to the success of our business.

Responsible travel is one of our company’s core values, we aim to maximize the positive effects that tourism can have on individuals and local communities while minimizing the negative social, environmental, and economic impacts.

This policy outlines what we have already managed, what we are currently doing, and what we hope to achieve in the future. It defines practices at the core of our product development, operations, and external partner relationships. It is a work in progress for everyone in our company.

El Valle (3) Cerro Gaital

In our offices:

  • We ensure our employees understand our goals and are accountable for the implementation of our sustainable policies.

  • We monitor, reduce and responsibly manage waste.

  • We measure our use of natural resources, especially energy, and apply ways to reduce them.

  • We purchase local products where we can and limit the use of small packaging.

  • We respect our employees, and their diversity and advance their wellbeing wherever we can.

  • We share best practices and raise awareness on sustainability among our teams and partners.

  • We communicate our achievements against our sustainable goals, internally and externally through reporting at least once a year.

Camino Plantación (2)

On the field:

  • We prefer to work with locally owned businesses reflecting local cultures (hotels, lodges, restaurants, handicraft outlets, arts, and culture centers).

  • We drive positive change within our supply chain, monitor their sustainable practices, share best practices, and organize training.

  • We ensure that the travels we organize do not have adverse effects on the environment or society, especially sensitive activities that may bring travelers into contact with animals, children, or remote communities.

  • We give back to neighboring communities by supporting projects addressing local development challenges, encouraging fair employment opportunities, and well-being advancement.

  • We promote Responsible Tourism in our industry and to stakeholders we engage with in our destination.

  • We put our clients and guests at the forefront of our business and help them to make informed decisions when traveling.

Support conservation by paying entrance fees to National parks and historical sites.

Never disturb, touch or feed wild animals. Don’t purchase crafts, clothing or other products made from animal species, especially if you don’t know if they’re protected or endangered.

Stick to the path when hiking, always stay on marked trails and maintain a safe distance from any animals you encounter. Going off the beaten path could mean you trample on protected or endangered plants.

Enjoy the cultural exchange and forget about stereotypes. Resist the urge to propose “solutions”, if you want to help preserve indigenous cultures listen, instead, to what they have to offer and teach.

At hotels: avoid getting clean towels unless necessary, or taking long showers, remember to turn off the television, lights and air conditioner if you can, when leaving the room.

Minimize your waste: grab only the maps and brochures that you will actually use. Avoid room service and carry-out which increase waste.

 

Our style of travel. Authentic, thoughtful, and focused on building meaningful connections to the people and places you visit, is inherently respectful and considerate of the destinations we love.

We design each aspect of your trip exactly as you want it, which includes its sustainability. That might mean choosing staying at eco-friendly wildlife lodges, or opting for experiences that give back to the communities you’re visiting.

Sustainability Policy

Reduce plastic on your travel

At Cacao Travel Panamá, we’re committed to helping you travel responsibly by minimising your impact on the destinations you visit. That´s why we are going to deliver aluminum bottles to our customers upon their arrival in Panama, so they do not have the need to buy plastic bottles, but to refill their water whenever possible, to help reduce your plastic use while travelling.

You can download our complete sustainability policy here.