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Sustainability Policy

Mission

At Osiris we say that "our past gives credibility to our future", so we believe that sustainability is the future and will dictate the well-being of the community, our co-workers, our management team and is the main key to a successful business.

Introduction

As a company that engages with various tourism stakeholders, such as consumers, tour guides, travel agencies, hotels, transport companies, restaurants and attractions, Osiris Viagens e Turismo, Lda understands its fundamental role and influences the sustainable development of tourism. That's why we're committed to promoting sustainability. We intend to follow, implement, and promote good sustainability practices to maximise the positive impacts and minimise the negative impacts on tourism of our operations and influence our customers and partners to do the same.

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

We are committed to social, environmental and economic improvements that promote a sustainable future and lead to developments in our industry community.

Sustainability Management and legal Conformity

We are committed to applying sustainable management through the following actions:

Define a sustainability team and coordinator, responsible for defining tasks and working closely with the company's management ;
Define a sustainability mission that will be communicated to our customers, partners and suppliers;
Ensure that all staff are fully aware, informed and committed to the company's sustainability policy;
Evaluate the company's performance in sustainable practices;
Create a sustainability action plan with objectives, actions, measures, responsibility and time planning;
We are committed to complying with all national laws, regulations and codes of conduct;
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 aspects related to the health and safety of employees.
Ensure that all employees are fully aware of our Sustainability Policy and committed to implementing and improving it;

Internal Management: Social policy and human rights

We are committed to applying sustainable internal management by having clear communication on our social policies, which include the following principles:

Grant employees the freedom to work and terminate their contract with notice (ideally a minimum of one month) and without penalty;
Include working conditions in accordance with national labor law and a job description in the employment contract;
The salary must be mentioned in the contract and equal to or greater than the national statutory wage;
Provide medical and liability insurance in accordance with national legislation;
(a)grant officials fixed paid annual leave and sick leave and allowance for unpaid annual leave;
Have an employee health and safety policy that meets national legal standards;
Have first aid kits and trained personnel available at all relevant locations
Comply with national rules on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment;
Provide periodic guidance and training for employees on roles, rights, and responsibilities in relation to health and safety issues. This includes fires and major natural disasters;
Create opportunities for students to participate in internships;
We commit to enforcing human rights by applying the following standards:
Declare that it does not prejudice union membership, collective bargaining and the representation of members by unions;
Prohibit discrimination with regard to recruitment, conditions of employment, access to training and senior positions, or promotion on the basis of gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion/beliefs or sexual orientation
Ensure that all employees have equal opportunities and access to resources and opportunities for personal development through regular training, education;

Internal Management: environment and community relations

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

Actively reduce the use of consumer goods and disposables;
Buying products in bulk, to reduce the amount of packaging materials;
Set the copy and print machines by default for two-sided and black-and-white printing;
Implement measures to reduce brochure waste or an "internet only" policy;
Purchase energy-efficient lighting for all areas where available
Turn off lights and equipment when not in use, use automatic on/off system with timers or motion sensors, and set equipment by default in energy-saving mode when feasible;
Preference for energy-efficient equipment when purchasing new items, including cost and quality considerations;
Comply with national legislation on waste disposal;
Develop and implement a solid waste reduction and recycling policy;
Take steps to reduce the amount of (non-reusable) plastic bottles of drinking water for use in the office;
Separate all materials that can be recycled and organise their collection and proper disposal;
Select
Implement waste reduction methods in the use of ink cartridges for printing and copying, whenever possible;
Comply with national legislation on the treatment of wastewater, which must be reused or released safely;
Reduce transport-related impacts through teleworking, e-meetings, work-from-home policies or other means;
Properly maintain and check the company's motor vehicles, to reduce emissions, energy use and make sure they meet legal emission standards;
Provide regular guidance, training and/or information to all members of staff on their roles and responsibilities with regard to internal environmental practices;
Use non-hazardous, non-eutrophic and biodegradable cleaning materials certified with an eco-label, if locally available;
Separate all materials that can be recycled and organize proper collection and disposal;
Recycle or dispose of batteries correctly;
Minimise 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;

Partners

Based on an inventory of our key partners, we have developed and implemented a policy to improve the sustainability of our partners. Our goal is to make sustainable development concrete in the tourism industry. We commit to doing so through the following actions:

Maintain a list of partners' sustainability practices;
Minimise the ecological footprint of the office by travelling mainly via public transport, working as paperless as possible, sorting waste and making use of certified recycled paper;
Inform key partners about Travelife and national tourism standards;
Have a code of conduct for local partners to encourage their practices towards sustainability;
Inform key partners about the company's sustainability policy and that they are expected to comply with it and/or communicate it to end customers, where appropriate;
Inclusion of key sustainability clauses in contracts with incoming/outgoing partners;
Have a written contract with partner agencies;
Include clauses in partnership contracts that allow for premature termination of the contractual agreement if the company does not take adequate measures to prevent the sexual exploitation of children in the direct supply chain;
Ensure that partner companies comply with all relevant national laws that protect workers' rights;
Seek to give preference to partners committed to sustainability, privileging those that have a formal commitment and/or that apply a clear sustainability policy and try to promote those that are actively involved in sustainable operations. Give preference to the selection of partners who have certifications, whenever possible.

Transports

We try to ensure that vehicles used on tours do not cause more than average pollution. We believe that transport is an important aspect of sustainable tourism and we do our best to lower the average level of pollution. We commit to doing so by applying the following actions:

Select the most sustainable options considering price and comfort considering the destination;
Consider and give preference to more sustainable alternatives when selecting transportation options for transfers and excursions at the destination, taking into account price, comfort and logistics;
Integrate and/or promote one or more sustainable holiday products/packages based on a recognised methodology, including sustainable transport, sustainable accommodation and sustainable activities.

Accommodation

We want to achieve sustainable management in the supply chain in tourism. Accommodation partners play an important role in achieving this goal and are encouraged and motivated to adapt sustainable practices. We commit to doing so through the following actions:

Select accommodations that meet sustainability standards;
Have hosting partners who provide evidence of their sustainability goals and strategies;
Encourage accommodations to follow best practices/training on responsible tourism;
Clearly and actively communicate our sustainability objectives and requirements in relation to contracted accommodation and other relevant accommodation;
Include standard sustainability clauses in all contracts with accommodation providers that focus on child labour, anti-corruption and bribery, waste management and biodiversity protection;
Ensure that, through our key accommodation partners, children's rights are respected and safeguarded;

- Have a clause in the contracts of the entire value chain that establishes a common policy repudiation and zero tolerance for the sexual exploitation of children;

- Have a clause dedicated to this aspect that allows the travel company to terminate prematurely the contract if the hosting provider does not take appropriate action to prevent the sexual exploitation of children;

-Training of workers on children's rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation and the how to report suspected cases; support, collaborate with, and engage stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children;

- Support, collaborate and engage stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children;

Excursions and activities:

We place a high value on animal and community welfare. We are safeguarding the authenticity of communities and the natural environment, and we are strongly against harming wildlife and polluting the environment. We commit to doing so through the following actions:

Advising guests on appropriate behavior during excursions and activities with the aim of respecting the local culture, nature, and environment;
Communicate our sustainability goals and requirements to contracted tour service providers and other relevant providers by distributing this information via codes of conduct, local representatives, social media, email, meetings, to minimize the negative impact of visitors and maximize the customer's benefit from their visit.
Do not offer excursions that harm humans, animals, plants, natural resources such as water and energy, or that are socially and culturally unacceptable;
Not be involved with companies that consume, display, sell or trade wild species, unless it is part of a regulated activity that ensures their use is sustainable and in compliance with local, national and international legislation;
Have qualified and/or certified guides to guide our clients in culturally sensitive sites, historical heritage sites or ecologically sensitive destinations;
Promote and advise our clients on excursions and activities that directly involve and support local communities, through the purchase of services or goods, traditional handicrafts and local (food) production methods, or by visiting social projects;

Tour Leader, local representatives, and guides:

We aim to involve as many locals as possible by employing them in the tourism business. We advocate for a fair, safe work environment that supports and respects local communities. We commit to doing so through the following actions:

Ensure that all employees have a written employment contract, including working conditions and a job description, and fully understand the terms and conditions.
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, whatever the most stringent requirements may be.
Ensure that our local representatives 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.
Have our tour leaders, local representatives and guides inform clients about relevant sustainability issues in the destination (e.g. protection of flora, fauna and cultural heritage, use of resources), social norms and values (e.g. tips, dress code and photography) and human rights (e.g. sexual exploitation);
Inform our tour leaders and local representatives about the prevention of child sexual exploitation.
Preference is given to skilled local labor, especially in culturally/ecologically sensitive locations and destinations.

Destination:

Our goal is to maximise positive impacts and minimise negative impacts on the destination to ensure the sustainable development of the places in which we operate. We are committed to:

Consider sustainability aspects in the process of selecting new destinations and possibly offer alternative unconventional destinations;
Consider the selection of new destinations, which are accessible through more sustainable means of transport;
Comply with legal regulations for spatial planning, protected areas and heritage. Also with destination management strategies of local, regional and national authorities;
Influencing and supporting local government (where possible, together with other travel companies and stakeholders) with regard to sustainability, destination planning and management, use of natural resources and socio-cultural issues;
Do not promote souvenirs containing endangered species of flora and fauna, as indicated in the CITES Treaty and the IUCN 'Red List'; or historical and archaeological artefacts (except where permitted by law);

Customer protection and communication:

The well-being and information of customers are very important to us. We guarantee clear and constant communication and high protection to our customers. Prior to booking, we undertake to:

Make available a company guideline for consultation to the client, which is followed by the client's consultants;
Ensure customer privacy;
Comply with relevant standards and voluntary codes of conduct in marketing and advertising messages, and not over-promise;
Have clear, complete and accurate information about the company, its products, its services and the price;
provide information about the destination, including sustainability aspects, that is factually correct, balanced and complete;
Inform the client about sustainable alternatives in terms of accommodation, excursions, package holidays and transport options, if available;
Clearly inform (potential) direct customers about sustainability commitments and actions;

After booking and during the holidays:

Provide information to consumers about the natural environment, local culture and cultural heritage in the holiday destination;
Inform consumers about key sustainability aspects and issues in the destination and receive recommendations on how to make a positive contribution;
Inform customers about risks and precautions related to health and safety issues at the destination;
Maintain a contact person and a telephone number for emergencies at all times;
Train staff and keep guidance available on how to deal with emergencies;
Provide customers with information about commercial, sexual or any other form of exploitation and harassment, particularly of children and adolescents;
Inform customers about the applicable legislation regarding the purchase, sale, import and export of historical or religious artefacts and articles containing endangered flora and/or fauna materials at destination;
Motivate customers to use local restaurants and shops (where appropriate);
Inform customers about sustainable transportation options at destinations, when possible;
Encourage customers to donate to local charities and sustainable initiatives;

After the holidays, we commit to:

Systematically measure customer satisfaction and take into account the results, for service and product improvement;
Include sustainability as an integral part of customer satisfaction;
Have clear procedures in place in case of customer complaints;

Contact

The entire staff of Osiris Viagens e Turismo, Lda is responsible for the application of this sustainability policy;

All staff are responsible for the promotion and implementation of this policy in their respective department;

The coordination of the implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the sustainability coordinator, Joana Mendes, who can be contacted through the following email: joana.mendes@osiris.pt .

This policy is effective as of January 01, 2023.

Ricardo Ferreira

OSIRIS
Dream.Travel.Experience.