Kuoni Group has joined the Travelife Sustainability System, the recognised system set up by the Federation of Tour Operators for sustainable tourism.
Under the terms of the system all hotel partners are required to conduct an online self-assessment which gives Kuoni an indication of whether they meet Kuoni’s ethical requirements. Then the hotels are assessed by an audit and are given the opportunity to gain Travelife certification. Kuoni will identify such hotels in their brochures.
Kuoni director of corporate responsibility Francis Torrilla said: “As a tour operator, Kuoni often has little direct influence over the negative social and ecological effects of its products, as most of the services involved are provided by contractual partners in the destinations.
“What we can influence, however, are our customers’ choices, the way our suppliers work and further development at our destinations, by ensuring our own sustainability demands are integrated into our business and managed thereafter.
“By doing so, we not only aim to avoid potential risks and conflicts with our suppliers, destinations, customers and employees; we also aim to underpin our status as a reliable and respected partner and safeguard the quality of services provided.”