EcoTrails

At Hajjat Tours & Travel, we are dedicated to promoting and implementing sustainable tourism practices that respect and preserve the natural environment, support the well-being of local communities, and enhance the visitor experience. Our commitment extends beyond compliance with environmental standards to actively fostering a culture of sustainability within our operations, partnerships, and community engagements. We strive to lead by example in the tourism industry, ensuring that every tour and service offered contributes positively to the destinations we cherish.

Carbon Emission Reduction:

• Achieve a 25% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 through adopting cleaner transportation options, optimizing tour routes, and increasing energy efficiency in operations.

Enhancing Local Community Engagement:

• Foster robust partnerships with local communities to ensure that at least 50% of our tour offerings include direct community benefits by 2025.

• Develop community-based tourism initiatives that support local entrepreneurship and cultural preservation.

Waste Management Improvement:

• Implement comprehensive waste reduction strategies aimed at achieving zero waste in office operations and on tours by 2030.

• Promote recycling and composting, and collaborate with suppliers to reduce packaging.

Sustainability Training:

• Roll out comprehensive sustainability training for all new and existing employees by the end of the year to ensure everyone is aware of our practices and their roles in implementing them.

Local Supplier Initiative:

• Transition to at least 60% local sourcing for all operational supplies by the end of the year to reduce carbon footprint and support local businesses.

Plastic Reduction Initiative:

• Eliminate all single-use plastics from our tours and offices by the end of the year. Introduce a reusable supplies program including water bottles, bags, and other tour-related materials.

Community Engagement Project:

• Launch a new community project by the third quarter that focuses on enhancing local infrastructure or educational resources, with active participation from our staff and guests.

Internship Program with the University of Jordan

At Hajjat Tours & Travel, our commitment to sustainability is reinforced by nurturing the next generation of professionals. We have established a dynamic internship program in collaboration with the University of Jordan, aimed at integrating students into real-world applications of sustainable tourism and community development.

Future Employment Pathways: Our goal is not only to provide a robust educational experience but also to cultivate potential future employees who are well-versed in sustainable practices and aligned with our company’s values.

Educational Collaboration: This program offers students from the University of Jordan the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of the tourism industry, focusing particularly on sustainability practices. Interns work alongside our team on ongoing projects, receive mentorship, and engage in workshops designed to enhance their understanding of the global and local challenges and opportunities in sustainable tourism.

Skill Development: Interns are involved in a range of activities, from participating in local community projects to assisting in the development of sustainable tour packages. This exposure helps them develop critical skills in project management, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Stakeholder Involvement

We are actively expanding our stakeholder engagement to include strategic partnerships that align with our sustainability goals:

Recycling Initiative: We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by partnering with a local recycling company to manage paper and plastic waste effectively. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to improve waste management practices across all operations.

Government Collaboration: We work closely with government bodies to align our practices with national sustainability policies and to contribute to the development of sustainable tourism standards.

Business Partnerships: We partner with local businesses to ensure that our supply chain supports and promotes sustainable practices. This includes prioritizing local suppliers and engaging services that contribute directly to the local economy.

Monitoring and Reporting Tracking Progress

At Hajjat Tours & Travel, understanding that effective sustainability practices are rooted in transparent and accountable monitoring, we are initiating a new system to track our progress in sustainability. Here’s how we plan to implement and manage this:

Annual Sustainability Reports: Starting from this year, we will compile and publish annual sustainability reports. These reports will document our progress, challenges, and future plans, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged in our journey towards greater sustainability.

Travelife We are engaged with the Travelife program and are actively working towards achieving Travelife Partner status. Through continuous improvements, we aim to align our operations with international sustainability standards and eventually reach Travelife Certified status.

Certification and Training: To reinforce our commitment, 60% of our staff have already obtained sustainability management certificates. This foundational knowledge will be crucial as we develop and implement our new monitoring protocols.

Development of Sustainability Metrics: We are setting up systems to measure key sustainability metrics such as waste management, energy use, and community impact. These metrics will form the basis of our internal audits and will be regularly reviewed to ensure continuous improvement.