Sustainability Report 2019

Achievement & Success

1. Internal Management: Social Policy and Human Rights

Social Policy and Human Rights

Yearly training, regular meetings have been carried out for related departments including travel consulting, customer care and introduction of new products. Additionally, our employees also have trained on DISC assessment to improve our interpersonal communication as well as connect with co-workers more effectively.

Moreover, yearly fam trips have been organized to help staff from all related departments aware about the products and inspire them.

2. Internal Management: Environment and Community Relations

Waste Management

We have ensured the responsible disposal of electric wastes. We have collected and sent 2 computer screens, 1 cellphone and 30 batteries to Vietnam Recycle Organization.

Volunteering Training

Sales and operation department have participated in training on voluntourism especially about orphanage tourism carried out by our partner - Ayana Journeys.

Environmental Initiatives: Refill Station

Footprint Travel has cooperated with GFA Consulting Group with objectives to:

-Provide 100 local businesses with knowledge of the plastic waste issues in Vietnam and a sustainable solutions by registering as a Refill station.

- Raise awareness of local people and convert travelers’ behavior from buying plastic bottles to refilling their bottles.

With the provision of funds by GFA – Swiss Sustainable Tourism Program (SSTP), after one year. The major results have been noted at the output level:

- A contact list of 130 local businesses has been collected from different sources. Out of the list, a total of 59 local businesses including our partners have successfully registered as RefillMyBottle Stations, providing free drinking water or with a small fee to local people and tourists. We have actively supported refill stations in terms of setting up, distributing marketing material, developing a monitoring system for evaluation, and promoting their stations on social networking sites. 

- We have participated in awareness events and meetups to reach publics. Organized by Live and Learn, Hanoi Clean Air Day 2019 aimed to facilitate environmental initiatives like RefillMyBottle. The project has reached 500 people and attracted more than 150 refillers to 5 portable water refill stations and save more than 345 single used plastic bottles. Moreover, we have carried out 3 meet-ups with a total of 61 volunteer travelers to Vietnam and raise awareness about the single used plastic problems.

3. Partners

We have always put a focus on the revenue generated for the local economy, social enterprises, and responsible suppliers. We have expanded the list of sustainable accommodation including local homestay which can help us make strategic decisions about promotions for the benefit of travelers as well as local and ethical suppliers. We have also encouraged our partners to switch from a single used plastic water bottle to refillable ones and provide a refill for our customers.

4. Developing Responsible Products

Activity

We have worked with local suppliers to offer excursion, involving the local community such as home-hosted series in HCM, Hue, and Hoian.  

5. Changing office

With the launch of a new office in December 2019, we have created an office in line with our mission and policy, including:

• Procurement

+ Use KOVA fast-drying interior paints with their claim of sustainable development.

+ Materials sourced locally

+ House-plant placement for indoor air purification.

+ Motivational quotes for working

• Energy

+ All light bulbs were changed for LED lamps.

+ Natural light has been enhanced by changed to glass windows.

+ Double-paned window to reduce the heat transferred.

+ Daikin Cassette with modern technology to reduce energy consumption. They also use gas that is safe for users and doesn’t cause affects the Ozone floor.

• Water

+ Flow restrictors for taps

+ Plastic bottle was put in your toilet tank

Other than that, we give away all the old items to our friends/neighbors so it can be reused later.  

2. Difficulties and Solutions

• Change single packed wet tissue to more sustainable options: haven’t found any alternatives yet.

Solution: Stop using it.

• Change single used water bottle to refillable bottle: We have facilitated collaboration among other refill stations to produce co-branded reusable bottles for our customers to encourage refill habit. However, convening different businesses to the program is challenging due to different demands and preferences.

Solution: Provide a refill gallon for travelers on vehicles and accommodation.

• Refill MyBolle: Difficult to approach businesses, especially the accommodation category due to potential disruption to their guests’ experience, cost generation, etc. Additionally, there is a lack of specialized staff/ departments in local businesses, leading to inadequate implementation and management of refill stations.

Solutions: consultations on sustainable practices for local business