Sustainable Development Policy - Breathe in Travel

As a receptive agency specializing in the Balkans and based in Kosovo and Albania, Breathe in Travel recognizes its central role in promoting sustainable tourism. We work closely with travelers, guides, hotels, transport companies, restaurants, and other local stakeholders. By actively committing to sustainability, we seek to maximize the positive impacts of our activities while minimizing their negative effects.

Our sustainability policy is divided into 10 themes. Each theme consists of a set of principles and corresponding practical actions.

1. Sustainable Development Management and Legal Compliance

We are committed to sustainable management, practiced through the following actions:

Have a designated employee who is responsible for sustainability coordinator tasks. At Breathe in Travel, Alan Huet will be designated as coordinator
Have a sustainability mission statement that is communicated to clients, partners and suppliers
Have an accessible and written sustainability policy that aims to reduce the negative social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts of the company's activities, and that includes employee health and safety aspects
Conduct a baseline assessment of the company's performance in sustainable practices
Have sustainability guidelines and an evaluation system to identify the sustainability performance of key suppliers/partners
Have a sustainability action plan with clear objectives, actions, measures, responsibilities and time planning
Develop documented procedures to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the sustainability policy, objectives and targets
Ensure corporate transparency on sustainable development by publishing reports and communicating
Ensure that all staff are fully aware of our sustainability policy and committed to implementing and improving it. This translates into offering and having all employees participate in regular training on various sustainability topics in the tourism sector and more specifically in our operating territory, namely Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Croatia

We are committed to complying with all national legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

2. Internal Management: Social Policy and Human Rights

We are committed to sustainable internal management by having a clear, written and well-communicated social policy that includes the following principles:

Grant employees freedom of employment and termination of contract with notice (here 30 days) and without penalty
Include working conditions in accordance with national labor law and a job description in the employment contract
The wage rate must be mentioned in the contract and is equal to or above the national legal minimum wage. At Breathe in Travel, we reassess wage rates every year to fairly compensate our employees and thus guarantee career progression over the years by offering new responsibilities when feasible
Determine and compensate overtime hours based on an agreement
Grant employees fixed annual paid leave and sick leave. Breathe in Travel, in addition to mandatory leave, aims to offer its employees, depending on circumstances and when possible, the opportunity to work remotely to allow greater flexibility
Have a health and safety policy for employees that complies with national legal standards
Have first aid kits and trained staff at all relevant sites
Comply with national provisions regarding the minimum age for employment
Have documented and effective procedures allowing employees to express their complaints and expectations
Have a clear disciplinary procedure that is effectively communicated to employees
Have a system for measuring employee satisfaction on a regular basis. To this end, Breathe in Travel has developed a satisfaction questionnaire that is submitted to employees randomly and anonymously to collect their feedback
Provide periodic advice and training to employees on their roles, rights and responsibilities regarding health and safety. This includes fires and relevant natural disasters
Create opportunities for students to participate in internships, residencies and apprenticeships. Two positions are open each year for students wishing to intern at Breathe in Travel. Interns will have the opportunity to discover the various tasks related to the profession of receptive travel agent while combining a personal life experience in discovering life in the Balkans

We are committed to respecting human rights by ensuring the following practices are applied:

Declare not to hinder union membership, collective labor negotiations and member representation by unions
Prohibit discrimination in recruitment, employment conditions, access to training and positions of responsibility, or promotion, based on gender, race, age, disability, ethnic origin, religion/beliefs or sexual orientation
Ensure that all employees have equal chance and access to resources and personal development opportunities through regular training and education

3. Internal Management: Environment and Community Relations

We are committed to practicing environmental protection and improving community relations by ensuring the following practices are applied:

Set photocopiers and printers to default to double-sided printing or other paper-saving modes
Implement measures to reduce waste with an "Internet only" policy
Actively commit to measuring, monitoring and reducing energy consumption. To this end, Breathe in Travel has established the following daily practice: the last person to leave the office is tasked with verifying that all electrical devices are unplugged
Give preference to low-energy equipment when purchasing new items, taking into account cost and quality
Use sustainable water supply sources that do not harm environmental flows
Comply with national legislation regarding waste disposal
Take measures to reduce the amount of packaging materials and not provide non-recyclable or non-biodegradable packaging materials
Take measures to reduce the amount of plastic drinking water bottles (non-refillable) used in the office
Minimize and replace the use of harmful substances and properly manage the storage, handling and disposal of chemicals
Use lead-free and water-based paints, both indoors and outdoors, when locally available
Measure and reduce staff-related travel and use more sustainable modes of transport. Calculate emissions with the goal of reducing and offsetting them through a reliable locally available program
Reduce transport-related impacts through remote work, telephone/video meetings, work-from-home policies or other means
Properly maintain and inspect company motor vehicles to reduce emissions and energy consumption and ensure they meet legal emission standards
Periodically provide advice, training and/or information to all staff members on their roles and responsibilities regarding internal environmental practices
Base the planning, design and construction of new buildings or renovations on sustainable practices and materials that are appropriate and locally feasible
Contribute to the protection and preservation of locally important historical, archaeological, cultural and spiritual properties and sites, and not hinder access to them by local residents

4. Partner Agency

Based on an inventory of our main partner agencies, we have developed and implemented a policy to improve the sustainability of our partner agencies. Our goal is to make sustainable development concrete for each of our company's partners.

Minimize the office's ecological footprint by traveling primarily by public transport, working paperlessly as much as possible, sorting waste and using certified recycled paper
Pay attention to local community benefits when selecting local accommodations and their social policy for employees. Partners must also adopt responsible practices, such as reducing plastic use, supporting local communities and minimizing their environmental impact
Inform key partners about Travelife standards and national tourism standards
Inform key partners about the company's sustainability policy and that they are expected to comply with it and/or communicate it to end clients, where applicable. For example, we collaborate with a company based in Tirana that organizes responsible excursions in national parks such as Theth. This agency limits the number of participants per visit to reduce environmental impact and uses only local guides trained in sustainable tourism principles
Include key sustainability clauses in contracts with incoming/receptive partners
Motivate incoming and outgoing partners to participate in sustainability training for travel companies
Have a written contract with partner agencies
Include clauses in partner contracts allowing partners to terminate the contractual agreement early if the partner company does not take adequate measures to prevent child sexual exploitation within the direct supply chain
Ensure that partner companies comply with all relevant national laws protecting employee rights

5. Transport

We strive to ensure that the vehicles used during tours do not cause above-average pollution. We believe that transport is an important aspect of sustainable tourism, and we do our best to reduce the average pollution level.

Choose the most sustainable options considering price and comfort when selecting means of transport to the destination
Include sustainable (public) transport to the departure point of the international/long-distance journey
Consider and give preference to more sustainable alternatives when selecting transport options for transfers and excursions at the destination, taking into account price, comfort and practical considerations. For example, we have signed an agreement with an Albanian electric bicycle rental company in the Berat region, allowing travelers to explore the city and its surroundings while minimizing their ecological footprint
Integrate and/or promote one or more sustainable holiday products/packages based on a recognized methodology, including sustainable transport, sustainable accommodation and sustainable activities

6. Accommodation

We strive to establish a fully sustainable tourism supply chain. Partner accommodations play an important role in this regard, and are stimulated and motivated to adopt sustainable practices.

Select accommodations that meet sustainability and quality standards with particular attention to the elements mentioned in our questionnaire for classifying partner accommodations
Motivate and encourage partner accommodations to obtain sustainable certification
Prefer and select accommodations that are locally owned and managed. We work with guesthouses located near Theth Park, which use solar panels for electricity, offer meals made from local products and organize educational visits about fauna and flora
Choose accommodations that employ local communities
Have accommodations sign a sustainability addendum
Encourage accommodations to follow best practices/training in responsible tourism
Encourage accommodations to complete the sustainability questionnaire to better understand their practices
Clearly and actively communicate our sustainability objectives and requirements regarding contracted accommodations and other relevant facilities. This is communicated to them during the development of price contracts that are updated annually
Give a clear preference to accommodations that work with an internationally recognized certification (e.g., recognized by the GSTC) and/or Travelife
Include in all contracts with accommodation providers standard sustainability clauses focused on child labor, anti-corruption and bribery, waste management and biodiversity protection
Offer incentives to accommodations that actively engage in sustainability

We ensure that children's rights are respected and safeguarded through our accommodation supply chain:

Introduce in contracts throughout the value chain a clause stipulating a common policy of repudiation and zero tolerance towards child sexual exploitation
Have a dedicated clause in their contract that allows the tour operator to terminate the contractual agreement early if the accommodation provider does not take adequate measures to prevent child sexual exploitation
Train employees on children's rights, prevention of sexual exploitation and how to report suspected cases
Support, collaborate and engage stakeholders in the prevention of child sexual exploitation
Work with accommodations and restaurants that integrate elements of local art, architecture or cultural heritage, while respecting the intellectual property rights of local communities. We collaborate with guesthouses in Prizren that preserve local architecture, offer traditional cooking workshops and support community initiatives
Terminate cooperation with accommodation in the event of clear evidence that contracted accommodations jeopardize the provision of basic service integrity such as food, water, energy, healthcare, or land to neighboring businesses

7. Excursions and Activities

We attach great importance to the well-being of animals and communities and aim for tours that leave only a minor footprint. We safeguard the authenticity of communities and the natural environment, and are firmly opposed to any harm to wildlife and environmental pollution.

Have an inventory of environmentally or culturally sensitive excursions that are offered in each destination
Advise clients on behavioral standards during excursions and activities with emphasis on respect for local culture, nature and the environment
Communicate our sustainability objectives and requirements to contracted excursion providers and other relevant providers by disseminating this information through codes of conduct, representative agents, social media, emails, discussions and/or meetings, to minimize negative visitor impact and maximize enjoyment
Not offer excursions that harm humans, animals, plants, natural resources such as water and energy, or that are socially and culturally unacceptable
Not offer excursions during which wild animals are held in captivity, except for duly regulated activities that comply with local, national and international legislation
Not partner with companies that harvest, consume, display, sell or trade in wildlife species, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures their use is sustainable and compliant with local, national and international law
Have qualified and/or certified guides to guide our guests in sensitive cultural sites, heritage sites or ecologically sensitive destinations. For example, we offer guided hikes in Valbona Park and Theth Park, where travelers learn about biodiversity and ongoing conservation efforts
Promote and advise our clients on excursions and activities that directly involve and support local communities through the purchase of services or goods, traditional crafts and local (food) production methods, or visiting social projects. For example, in partnership with a cooperative in Kosovo, we include visits to artisan workshops in Prizren, where travelers can discover traditional carpet making while contributing to the local economy
Promote and advise our clients on excursions and activities that support the local environment and biodiversity, such as visiting protected areas or environmental protection projects. In Albania, we organize farm visits where visitors can discover traditional production methods and support local initiatives

8. Tour Leaders, Local Representatives and Guides

We aim to involve as many locals as possible by employing them in tourism activities. We advocate for a fair and safe working environment that supports and respects local communities.

Ensure that all employees have a written employment contract, including working conditions and a job description, and that they fully understand the terms and conditions
Prefer to work with local tour leaders, local representatives, local tour guides, drivers and other local staff where capabilities are equal, and provide training if necessary
Ensure that our local partners comply with all applicable international, national and local laws and regulations, minimum industry standards and any other relevant legal requirements, according to the strictest requirements
Pay local representatives, guides and other local staff contracted with us at least a living wage equal to or above the legal minimum or relevant industry standard
Ensure that our tour guides, hosts and other contracted employees are qualified and regularly trained. To this end, we organize training sessions on various topics related to the environment, animal protection and the protection of local heritage and traditions
Ensure that our local employees are informed about relevant aspects of our sustainability policy and comply with it, through newsletters, references or supplements to contracts, emails or training and information sessions
Offer a special module on sustainable travel in the training program for tour guides and local hosts, highlighting the main aspects of responsible tourism, followed by the expected role of employees. This module will also include knowledge about the destination and its relevant sustainability aspects
Ensure that our tour leaders, local representatives and guides inform clients about relevant sustainability issues at the destination (e.g., protection of flora, fauna and cultural heritage, use of resources), social norms and values (e.g., tipping, dress code and photography) and human rights (e.g., sexual exploitation)
Train our tour guides and local representatives in the prevention of child sexual exploitation. This will include training on how to verify requirements regarding the exclusion of child sexual exploitation

9. Destination

We seek to maximize positive impacts and minimize negative impacts at destinations to ensure the sustainable development of the places where we operate.

Take sustainability aspects into account in the process of selecting new destinations and potentially propose alternative, non-traditional destinations. This translates into offering alternative destinations that enable more sustainable tourism and bring a unique experience to the traveler. For example, we have developed less-traveled itineraries, such as hikes in mountain villages of Kosovo, allowing visitors to discover authentic cultures while reducing tourist pressure on major sites
Consider the selection of new destinations that are accessible by more sustainable means of transport
Comply with legal regulations regarding land use planning, protected areas and heritage. Also with destination management strategies of local, regional and national authorities
Support initiatives that improve relationships between accommodations and local producers
Support biodiversity conservation, including protected areas and areas of high biodiversity, through financial contribution, political support and integration into product offerings. Breathe in Travel dedicates part of its time to local initiatives, such as renovating hiking trails and creating interpretive signs in protected areas
Not promote souvenirs containing endangered wildlife species, as indicated in the CITES treaty and the IUCN Red List, or historical and archaeological objects (unless authorized by law)

10. Communication and Client Protection

At Breathe in Travel, we place the highest priority on clear and transparent communication with our clients, as well as their protection throughout their journey. Before booking, we commit to:

Make a company guideline available for client consultation, which is followed by customer advisors
Ensure that client privacy is not compromised when transmitting their identity documents
Comply with relevant standards and voluntary codes of conduct in marketing and advertising messages, and not promise more than what is delivered
All our information about destinations, accommodations, excursions and sustainability practices is detailed and verified to guarantee accuracy. We provide clear descriptions of activities, with precise indications of their environmental impact and benefits to local communities
Inform clients about the environmental impact of different transport options for reaching the destination (when these are not included in the package), and offer sustainable alternatives where applicable
Promote sustainable (certified) accommodations, excursions, packages and/or transport options using logos or other messages, ensuring they are recognizable by the consumer and presented as the "best" option
Inform clients about sustainable alternatives regarding accommodation, excursions, holiday packages and transport, where applicable
Clearly inform direct (potential) clients of sustainability commitments and actions

After booking and during the holiday, we commit to:

Provide information to consumers about the natural environment, local culture and cultural heritage of the holiday destination
Inform consumers about the main sustainability aspects and issues of the destination and provide recommendations on how to make a positive contribution
Inform clients about health and safety risks and precautions to take at the destination
Keep a contact person and phone number available at all times for emergency situations. A person from our company also meets them upon their arrival on site to answer any questions they may have
Train staff and keep guidelines available on how to handle emergency situations. Our staff commits to responding 24/7 to clients during their trip
Provide clients with documented guidelines and/or codes of conduct for sensitive excursions and activities, to minimize negative visitor impact and maximize enjoyment
Inform clients about applicable legislation regarding the purchase, sale, import and export of historical or religious objects and articles containing materials from endangered flora and/or fauna at the destination
Encourage clients to use local restaurants and shops by providing them with a comprehensive travel booklet containing all the advice we can offer during their stay
Inform clients about sustainable transport options at destinations, when possible
Encourage clients to make donations to local charities and sustainable initiatives

After the holiday, we commit to:

Systematically measure client satisfaction and take results into account to improve services and products through our satisfaction questionnaire
Include sustainability as an integral part of client satisfaction research
Have clear procedures in case of client complaints