Sustainable Supply Chain Policy

Abercrombie & Kent Southeast Asia understands that we are only as sustainable as our supply chain. With this in mind, we have developed the following guidelines to ensure that our sustainability objectives are met through our partners, particularly when it comes to transportation, accommodation, activity and service providers, guides and tour leaders:

• We clearly and actively communicate our sustainability objectives and requirements to accommodation, transportation and activity providers, as well as local guides and tour leaders
• Standard sustainability clauses are included in contracts with accommodation and activity providers, such as child labor, anti-corruption and bribery, waste management and protection of biodiversity
• Contracted accommodation and activity providers are encouraged to participate in sustainability education and training
• When selecting accommodation and activity providers, preference is given to hotels, lodges and resorts with internationally recognized sustainability certification
• We ensure that transportation providers meet all legal requirements and safety standards and, wherever possible, give preference to more sustainable options such as electric vehicles
• Best practice standards and other guidance towards sustainability management are distributed to best-selling accommodation and activity providers
• We ensure that accommodation providers protect the rights of children and do not employ persons under the age of 14; accommodation providers are informed that contracts can be terminated if any form of child abuse occurs within their operations
• We give preference to accommodation providers that do not impede on the provision of basic services for local communities and limit their negative effects on local and global biodiversity
• We prefer local guides who are appropriately trained and qualified, especially in culturally sensitive sites, heritage sites and ecologically sensitive destinations; guides also receive training in child protection issues and how to communicate relevant sustainability issues to customers in our destinations

Animal Welfare Policy

Abercrombie & Kent Southeast Asia uses a blend of compassion and expertise to encourage positive change in the treatment of animals, particularly in relation to the tourism products and services that we provide.

A&K Southeast Asia strongly stands against all forms of animal cruelty and torture. We believe all animals have the right to be treated with respect, both in captivity and in their natural habitat. We do not support wildlife markets or animal trafficking practices in any way and discourage all forms of activity that may result in harm or injury to animals. We do not tolerate the torture and abuse of animals that are known to be endangered or that are listed on CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

A&K Southeast Asia supports interactions with programs that improve the welfare of animals through education, scientific knowledge and ethical practices. We encourage positive animal to human relations and hope to inspire others to respect and protect animals of all shapes and sizes. By bringing our guests to conservation sites, national parks, rehabilitation centers and other animal sanctuaries, we hope to share the wonders of the animal world and encourage the continued support and funding of these establishments.

Ethnic Cultures and Community Based Tourism Policy

Abercrombie & Kent Southeast Asia believes in the welfare of all people and encourages positive change in the way people and communities are treated. We understand the importance of cultural heritage and believe that interactions with different ethnic groups can lead to beneficial learning experiences for all parties, if practiced with the full consent of the local community. We promote empathy and understanding throughout our operations and do not condone the mistreatment of people in any way, such as situations in which communities are presented in a "zoo like" manner. 

A&K Southeast Asia aims to provide community based activities that are conducted responsibly and ethically, resulting in interactions that are culturally or economically beneficial to the community. We do not support any experiences in which people or communities are coerced into living in non-native environments or are forced to perform in servitude or against their best interest. By sharing best practices in the areas of eco-tourism, community based tourism and sensitive excursions, A&K Southeast Asia aims to increase awareness and expertise in sustainable tourism, particularly in relation to group/visitor management, cross-cultural awareness and communication techniques including verbal and non-verbal communication and the conservation of cultural heritage including history, traditions, geography, flora and fauna.

The following acts as a guideline for our community based tourism practices:

• We ensure our guests receive current and relevant information about environmental and cultural factors when required during their visit
• We discourage guests from offering sweets, gifts, spare change or other small items to children or other community members; guests who wish to make a donation to the community are advised to speak with their guide or a local community representative
• When visiting people in their homes, temples, villages and other cultural environments, we encourage interaction not only observation
• We encourage guests to try the local food when there is an opportunity
• When visiting people or communities that produce their own handicrafts, we inform guests that their purchase can help to support community development, but also remind guests to check that the products are made ethically and legally
• We remind guests to request permission before taking photos and also to refrain from touching people or things unnecessarily
• We encourage guests to be respectful and considerate of others and to avoid being overly loud unless the occasion calls for it
• We aim to educate guests by explaining how community based tourism can help to preserve local traditions, cultures, history, skills, crafts and knowledge; the experiences should provide a benefit or source of income for the community members involved whilst also being informative and educational for the guest
• Wherever possible, we work directly with local hosts and community guides in addition to the tour leader to ensure that guests understand the purpose of the activity and its benefits
• We explain cultural differences, such as how seafaring communities differ from hill-based tribes, in order to foster greater understanding about the irreplaceable nature of these communities and how our travel choices can impact their way of life

Our Guide to Responsible Travel

The journey towards a sustainable life, whether at home or abroad, begins with the 7 R’s:

REDUCE – stop and think, "Do I really need this?" before making a purchase

REUSE – avoid choosing items that you will only use once and commit to repetitive actions

RECYCLE – find ways to repurpose and reuse previously used items

REFUSE – say "No" to items that have a negative environmental impact and avoid buying products that are not sustainable or recyclable

REPAIR – fix something when its broken rather than buy a new one

RESPECT – show courtesy to all living creatures and be considerate of people from different cultural backgrounds 

RETHINK – be mindful of the impact your actions may have on people and the planet and consider making smalls changes to bring about more positive outcomes

Following these 12 simple tips can help you make more responsible travel decisions and have a more positive impact when traveling:

• Find out as much as possible about your destination. The more you know about the places you plan to visit, the more they will come alive. Learning about the site’s history, culture, natural environment and other aspects can enhance the experience when you are there.
• Learn a few words of the local language. Making an effort to speak the local language allows you to interact more with people in local communities who often have interesting stories to tell. People always appreciate when you show an interest in their culture so learning a few simple words like “Hello,” “Please” and “Thank you” can go a long way.
• Pack light. It is tempting to pack everything you think you might need, but remember to be smart about your choices. Removing packaging from items such as the paper box to your film or the plastic wrapping of your new toothbrush can help to lighten your load and also reduces excess trash when traveling.
• Support good practices. When selecting your accommodation, restaurant, activity or service provider, choose companies that have a written policy covering their environmental impact, employment practices and sustainability objectives. You can help to reduce food waste by not over-filling your plate or ordering too much and ask your hotel not to change your linens and towels unless you really need to.
• Buy local products and services. Give back to the communities you visit by choosing to purchase direct from artisans or locally owned businesses; this contributes to the development and preservation of the community and also leads to a more authentic travel experience for you.
• Explore transportation options. Wherever possible, try to minimize your carbon footprint and consider alternative transportation options or off-setting your carbon emissions.
• Engage in local culture. The saying, “When in Rome do as the Romans do” still applies today. Traveling provides a unique opportunity to experience a new culture and to see the world from a different perspective. Eating local food, shopping at local markets and taking part in cultural festivals are all part of the cultural exchange that travel can offer.
• Connect with locals. Enrich your experience by choosing to interact with locals who often have a wealth of knowledge and can provide unique insights into the destination. You can also ask your guide for recommendations on local, in-the-know experiences.
• Tread lightly. We should all do our part to protect the natural or cultural wonders of our world. Leave the places you visit the way you found them and remember to follow the designated walking trails, respect the advice of caretakers and do not remove archaeological or biological treasures from sites. 
• Bring your own. Reduce the consumption of single-use plastics by carrying your own fabric bag, washable straw, refillable water bottle or coffee mug, cutlery and reusable food container. Look for water refill stations and find out about services such as #RefillMyBottle or #RefillNotLandfill.
• Share your responsible travel tips. While telling family and friends back home about the wonderful experiences you had during your travels, consider sharing tips with them on how they can travel in a more positive way and help spread the word about best practices in sustainable travel
• Explore more. Traveling is just the start of learning. After returning home, continue to learn and be involved with the issues or places that captured your interest. Build on your knowledge and continue learning about other fascinating places to visit.

Our Guide to Responsible Shopping

Travelling is about creating memories and shared experiences. While souvenirs can be a great way of staying connected with a special place that we visited, it is important to remember to shop ethically. So before you go about adding to your luggage allowance, we want to remind you to think carefully about what you buy and consider the supply chain ethics of your purchases. Here are some tips to help you become a more conscious consumer:

Purchase with Purpose

Demand for locally made souvenirs is often the driver for artisans wanting to produce unique and traditional handicrafts, and that's the way it should be. However, in an effort to keep prices low and to keep up with demand, some sellers have been sourcing ubiquitous, mass produced items imported from foreign countries. Genuine handmade souvenirs can often lose out to their cheaper counterparts, resulting in a loss of income for local craftmakers. We recommend that you carefully inspect the items you purchase, be selective and ask questions about where they came from and who made them. Think of souvenirs as a way of supporting local artisans rather than as simply finding another object to put on your mantelpiece. 

Purchase Local

We recommend dining at locally-run establishments rather than at international franchise restaurants when you have the opportunity. Choosing restaurants that use locally grown ingredients instead of imported products helps to reduce your carbon footprint and is also a great way to immerse in the local food culture. When it comes to shopping, try to get as close to the source of production as possible and support local producers, makers and artisans. Buying crafts directly from the maker allows you to engage with local craftsmen and also ensures that the proceeds of your purchase goes directly back to the source. Making informed purchasing decisions can have a direct positive impact for the local craft community and also gives you more interesting stories to tell about your souvenir.

Purchase Ethically

Always be curious about the origin of your purchase. Ask questions about how the item was made and where the components come from. It is important to be aware that the item you are purchasing is not stolen or taken without permission from a historical site. Go so far as to insist on documentation to support the legitimacy of the item and its history. Avoid buying counterfeit items as there may be criminal interests involved behind the scenes. 

Purchase at a Fair Price

Some shop owners truly desire to help local communities, while others exploit them by on-selling souvenirs at heavily marked up prices. Some weaving and basket crafts for example, take weeks or even months to make, so it is important that craftmakers are adequately compensated for their work. Asking questions is often the best and only way to find out if the artisans are receiving a fair price.

Purchase with a Smile

For some travelers, haggling or bargaining is an unfamiliar experience. In many countries, however, it is common practice and an integral part of the local shopping experience. It is important to understand the culture before you try bargaining. Some cultures are aggressive, while others less so. Smiling and keeping the whole process light-hearted is the best way to approach it. Bargaining can help you gain a better understanding of a community and culture, but remember to be fair and reasonable; this is a person’s livelihood. Smile, meet halfway and have fun.  

Our Guide to Ethical Souvenirs

Abercrombie & Kent Southeast Asia does not support the trade of culturally insensitive souvenirs that may result in negative impacts to the community, culture or nature. In some circumstances, the trade of souvenirs can lead to the loss of a nation's heritage as vendors strip historical sites of important relics or on-sell items that were wrongfully obtained from tombs or from legitimate owners. Biodiversity and natural ecosystems can also be damaged when souvenirs are harvested from nature. We support the global campaign by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) against the illegal trade of endangered species. We believe it is important for travelers to have an understanding of the ethics around souvenirs and to be wary of the impact of their purchases. 

To help our guests make more informed decisions, we have compiled a list of souvenirs to avoid:

• Elephant tusks (ivory) or other animal products. The illegal trade of ivory and rhino horns has seen soaring demand, particularly in Asia, where these items are often used to make souvenirs such as statues, necklaces, chess pieces, chopsticks or other ornamental pieces. The practice is fueled by illegal poaching, which is pushing these animal species towards extinction, and should be avoided.
• Coral, shark teeth, turtle shells and seashells. Coral is an important, living part of the aquatic ecosystem as they provide shelter and food for marine creatures and it is important to protect coral in order to protect marine life. Many types of coral are protected under CITES and we recommend to avoid buying curios made from shells, dried seahorses or dead coral as this may lead to unnecessary hunting or further deterioration of the marine ecosystem. 
• Statues and images of Buddha. Thailand is a Buddhist country where Buddha images are held sacred. In order to prevent looting from temples and Buddhist monuments, the country has implemented a total ban on the export of parts of Buddha relics such as the head, hands or feet. We recommend to avoid purchasing any items that represent Buddha such as clothing with printed or embroidered images of Buddha, Buddha-shaped plant pots or Buddha-print alarm clocks. Getting a tattoo of Buddha is also considered disrespectful. Tourist shops may sell small trinkets made of any substance, such as gold, silver, bronze, marble or wood, however, only five images are allowed per person or shipment.
• Endangered orchids and other native species. Many types of orchids are native to Thailand’s tropical forests. Some orchid species are endangered and international trade of orchids is regulated. A permit is required if you wish to take home cut orchid flowers (unless purchased in Duty Free) or orchid seedlings in a flask and live orchid plants grown in nurseries. Avoid purchasing endangered species as ornaments, as this will directly threaten the survival of the species.
• Endangered animal skin or bones. Wildlife goods offered for sale may include products made of marine turtles, crocodile skin, tiger skin and bones, many of which are either illegal or require a permit for international trade. Do not purchase belts, purses or wallets that are made from snake or crocodile skin; they might be made from cobra. Be skeptical of vendors claiming the skin comes from farming. Purchasing such products will promote locals offering such products for tourists at the expense of wild animals. 
• Relics from temples or religious monuments. Avoid purchasing items that are taken directly from historical temples, religious monuments, palaces, ruins or other sites of important cultural significance. The trade of these items can lead to irreparable damage to local facilities and local laws are often in place to forbid these activities. Customs agencies may impose heavy fines or jail time to those found to be in possession of such items.