Adventure Expeditions is proud to be in the process of becoming Travelife Partner Certified —the first milestone in our journey toward full Travelife Certification. This is an internationally recognized sustainability certification that we are pursuing to hold ourselves accountable and ensure that we adhere to the best international practices when it comes to sustainability.
What is Travelife?
Travelife was initiated in 2007 in the Netherlands, emerging from a European Union-funded project to promote sustainable tourism. The program aimed to address the lack of standardized sustainability practices in tourism, starting with European tour operators and later expanding globally. By 2010, Travelife had grown to include international partners, and its scope now covers operators in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
What backing does Travelife Certification have?
Travelife certification is a structured sustainability program for tour operators, divided into three progressive stages: Travelife Engaged (initial commitment and training), Travelife Partner (basic reporting and implementation), and Travelife Certified (full compliance verified by on-site audits). It encompasses 233 criteria across 10 key management areas, with 159 obligatory and 74 voluntary requirements. These criteria draw from international standards like ISO 14001, ISO 26000, GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council), and others, emphasizing environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Compliance involves policy development, action plans, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
Why is Adventure Expeditions getting Travelife Certified?
As a Kenyan-owned and operated tour provider and DMC specializing in group and tailor-made safaris across East Africa, Adventure Expeditions has long been committed to sustainable tourism that not only showcases Kenya’s breathtaking wildlife but also generates income for conservation efforts and uplifts local communities. While many operators overlook these priorities, we believe travel should make a positive difference. By pursuing Travelife Partner status, we hold ourselves accountable through an internationally recognized framework, ensuring our adventures contribute to environmental preservation, community empowerment, and ethical practices.
This certification aligns with our existing initiatives, such as being one of Kenya’s first carbon-free safari operators and our tree-planting program, where every safari package includes seed balls with indigenous seeds and one tree planted per departure to offset emissions.
What are the main criteria we must meet?
To meet Travelife criteria, Adventure Expeditions must address a comprehensive set of requirements spanning internal operations and external partnerships. Key areas include developing a sustainability policy, conducting staff training on ethical practices, ensuring legal compliance in areas like labor rights and environmental regulations, and implementing sustainable procurement by selecting eco-friendly suppliers and accommodations where possible. We are also required to inform clients about sustainable travel options, monitor and reduce emissions (such as through carbon offsetting), protect biodiversity by avoiding harmful activities, and engage stakeholders like local communities for fair benefit-sharing. Animal welfare is emphasized, prohibiting exploitative wildlife interactions, while crisis management protocols ensure preparedness for emergencies. These criteria evolve through self-assessments, documentation reviews, and eventual third-party audits to verify implementation.
What does this mean for our clients?
For clients embarking on a safari with Adventure Expeditions, Travelife Partner status enhances the experience by guaranteeing adventures that are not only thrilling—spotting the Big Five, primate trekking, or cultural immersions—but also responsibly managed to minimize environmental harm and maximize positive impacts. Travelers can safari with confidence, knowing their journey supports carbon-neutral operations. This certification amplifies our contributions to conservation by prioritizing wildlife protection and biodiversity in park visits, while fostering local communities through engagements with artisans, markets, and fair wages and employment for our Kenyan staff. Ultimately, clients become active participants in sustainable tourism, helping sustain Kenya’s precious natural heritage and empowering communities for generations to come. Join us on a safari that travels with purpose.
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