charter on sustainable and responsible tourism and travel

A. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM – achieved through reductions of internal emissions

What is sustainable tourism? There are many different definitions of sustainable tourism or responsible tourism that have been developed over the past decade. Most led to assume that “all tourists are responsible for respecting and conserving a locations economic, environmental and socio-cultural balances”.

We have adopted the following six conservation principles which are applied to all aspects of our business as we strive to protect our environment and improve the social and economical welfare of the local community.

1. Use of Renewable Energy Sources & Conservation of Energy
2. Water Conservation
3. Waste Management
4. Source locally and ecologically – Support of the local community.
5. Reduction of emissions on the ground
6. Local Engagement- Through Environmentally Responsible Purchasing Policies

1. Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Conservation of Energy in Offices and Villas: Reduce

1.1 All light bulbs to be replaced and maintained by low watt usage- also called efficient lighting . Ex. Compact fluorescent lamp or CFL. Benefits of CFL:

• Use 80% less electricity on average
• Low running costs
• Last up to ten times longer
• Reduce Co2 from electricity use
• CFL helps to relieve global warming

1.2 All air-condition units to be serviced every month to optimize their usage.

1.3 Use of energy saving devices which turn off all lights, air-conditions and other electrical equipment when not needed (when you leave the room). Possible solutions: Use of Timers to turn on and off all outside lights or invest in solar powered lights which store energy during the day and come on automatically at night.

1.4 Aiming at increasing the number of solar powered devices (for hot water, water filtration and AC). For example: Passive solar (black piping on the roof) for water heating. Solar panel or wind generator. Initial investment but almost no costs down the line.

1.5 SVH-PVH to recommend its construction to use environment friendly technology and structure within the initial design of their property in order to achieve a “greener villa”
Benefit: Can save money in office and villa energy bills

1.6 All villas in Phuket and Samui will participate in the annual global Earth Hour Campaign which encourage homes, businesses and organizations around the world to switch off all electricity for one hour to reduce our emissions of CO2.

2 Water Conservation: Reduce and Reuse

2.1 Traditional shower heads have high water flows, wasting both water and energy. SVH-PVH will aim to reduce water consumption in offices and villas by either installing low flow shower heads or installing water conservation devices.

2.2 Installing dual flush toilets wherever possible to save water.

2.3 Place bricks or water bottles (ex 2 liters) in the cistern to reduce the amount of water. We can save 2 liters of water every time we flush the toilet.

2.4 Reuse of water: Waste water from household and offices ( ex. water from showers/bath and sinks in bathrooms and kitchen) to be redirected to and reused in the gardens and/ or to flush the toilet.

2.5 Uphold exciting policy of only water gardens early in the morning or just before sunset to make sure water is not wasted through evaporation. For new buildings, a manual trickle feed pipe system can be implemented.

2.6 Install water containers to collect rainwater wherever possible. Can be redirected to the showers and toilets and used to water the gardens (see above 2.4)

3 Waste Management: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

“Waste management is the collection, transporting, processing, recycling or disposal of waste materials”. Waste materials refer to materials produced by human activity and managing the waste refers to the process of reducing the materials effect on the environment. Our goal is to have zero net waste from our headquarters building in five years.

3.1 Policy on use of recycled paper:

• We will use recycled paper in all material and within companies official document

• Use of environmental friendly brown envelopes (unbleached paper)
• Future brochure and/or material to be produced at print houses using environmentally friendly paper and techniques

• Re-use printed paper for second print (not applicable in laser jet as paper jamming) or note pad and use B&W default printing settings. Can also use draft setting on printer.

3.2 Recycle all materials used in office and villas

• All newspaper, magazines, unused brochures
• All used plastic bottles, plastic bags, aluminum or tin cans, glass bottles & containers, bathroom amenities container.

• Collect all used batteries (toxic waste) and bring to recycling plant.

3.3 Reduse the amount of plastic waste in offices and villas by changing from plastic water bottles to water coolers and glasses.

3.4 Recycle organic waste into ecological use- Development of micro-organism

• Food waste to be converted into nutrient-rich compost to be used as fertilizer on our properties.
• Garden waste to be processed into nutrient rich compost to be used as fertilizer on our properties.

3.5 Implement the use of Effective Microorganisms (EM) in the maintenance of SVH-PVH offices and villas.” EM is the name of a specific group of naturally occurring beneficial microorganisms with an amazing ability to revive, restore and preserve”.

• Use EM in compost and waste management
• Use EM everywhere in the garden.
• Use EM to deodorize and clean drains (indoor and outdoor).
• Use EM to clean pipes and septic tanks

Please note: EM can not be used together with chemicals as the two components will neutralize each other

“Waste management is the collection, transporting, processing, recycling or disposal of waste materials”. Waste materials refer to materials produced by human activity and managing the waste refers to the process of reducing the materials effect on the environment. Our goal is to have zero net waste from our headquarters building in five years.

4 Source locally and use ecologically:

4.1 Buying local products is crucial as it boosts the local community and economy. F&B will be sourced locally as much as possible. See our recommended list of suppliers

4.2 Use of hydroponics and organic nutriments when ever possible as long as sourced locally.

4.3 Use of seasonal fruits produced locally to create specific seasonal recipes for dessert and cut fruit for welcome pack.

4.4 Use local suppliers for purchase of eco friendly products to be used in SVH-PVH and the villas for presents, decorations etc.

4.5 Implement the use of unbleached fabric bags for all shopping purposes. Support and shop in other environmentally oriented businesses. “Say no to plastic bags”

4.6 Make sure every bathroom use bio-degradable paper bags in the toilet bins in order to reduce the use of plastic bags

4.7 All use of plastic utensils and Styrofoam products has been eliminated from our office buildings and will continue to be prohibited within our business. We have replaced these products with something called Spud Ware, so now our forks, knives and spoons are made from a potato compound. Our plates, bowls and carry-out containers are made of sugar cane and our paper cups now have a cornstarch lining.

5 Reduce CO2 and GHG emissions on the ground:

5.1 All company vehicles are to be regularly serviced with particular attention to:
a. Cleaning carburetor or injectors for optimum fuel usage and less CO2
b. Tires should be kept at a good pressure and replaced as necessary to optimize gasoline usage

5.2 Mini Buses and other vehicles will stop engines while waiting for guests.

5.3 Optimize travel distances between departments and reduce useless traveling

5.4 Aim at using Bio diesel technology (based on used vegetable oil and dry coconuts from
the island) and gasohol fuel for all vehicles within x years

5.5 Aiming at replacing all chlorine driven pool system to be all natural (electrolyze) in order to reduce unnecessary CO2 and GHG emissions.

6 Local engagement:

6.1 Encourage community participation and awareness of environmental sustainability.

6.2 Support local suppliers and businesses who are taking actions towards minimizing their impact on the natural environment.

6.3 Support and finance social and environmentally oriented projects locally.