EqEL Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct

Equated EcoLodgic (EqEL) provides an enthusiastic and innovative concept that values other cultures, the natural environment, a sustainable regional economy, a healthy lifestyle and personal development without compromising on quality of your holiday.

We aim to be actively involved through implementation, support and promotion of equitable, responsible and sustainable tourism, whose benefits will be shared by all sectors of society. To these ends we have come up with a set of aspects that we deem relevant and important for a genuinely sustainable organisation operating in the field of sustainable –or responsible- tourism. Consequently, EqEL has formulated a Code of Ethics and fully adopted the Principles of Responsible Tourism underlying the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism as formulated by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO, October 1999). Both are subject to further refinement, as insight in genuine sustainability proceeds and changes over time. Additionally, we have are in the process to abide by internationally recognized certification schemes and eco-labels.

Notwithstanding its usefulness and importance, it has to be understood that a Code of Ethics and a Code of Conduct are voluntary initiatives. These are generic terms used to describe voluntary agreements, programmes, standards and voluntary codes of conduct, guidelines, and principles. Such voluntary initiatives are self- regulatory techniques that go further than existing environmental laws and regulations and are likely to be more effective than statutory regulation in addressing specific environmental issues because they are flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances.

In principle, within EqEL we have a commitment to achieve environmental targets beyond those set by governmental regulations. Using our unilaterally adopted Code of Conduct we aim to complement local legislation, regulations, economic measures, information, and other policy tools.

Our key elements of voluntary initiatives include:

• commitment: the will to achieve and effectively implement what we promise

• content: sticking to our vision, mission and ambition in maintaining that the goal or target must be meaningful (i.e. with respect to improvement of local livelihoods and the natural environment).

• co-operation: ensuring the full involvement of stakeholders in preparation of the initiative.

• checking: monitoring of the implementation and of results (actively or passively through the support of others).

• communication: reporting to our stakeholders and members on results, as well as listening to feedback.

Corresponding to the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, EqEL cooperates to implement the principles and monitor their effective application in its daily activities.

EqEL Code of Ethics

• Say what we mean, do what we say and stand for what we believe is right
• Operate in an honest and trustworthy manner in all of our activities, relationships and communications
• Highly value and respect all individuals regardless of race, sex, language, religion or capability, treating all with common dignity and respect
• Promote a healthy working environment and associated lifestyles, i.e. fostering and encouraging personal development, while protecting individual rights and customs; in other words: we will promote and implement our organisational Code of Conduct
• Fully enhance rural livelihoods and sustainability of the community to our best capabilities
• Allow local communities to fully participate in the economic and ecologic gain of integrated sustainable tourism
• Exercise skill, care and diligence in carrying on the business of sustainable development projects
• Practice the most environmentally friendly / ecological genuine approach towards development of accommodation and tourism

EqEL Code of Conduct

• Maintain a high level of comfortable leisure, challenging holidays and providing interesting themes;
• Operate in the most environmental friendly manner and to minimize the consumption of required energy for our activities, seek alternative energy supplies, reduce waste, re-cycle where possible, re-use water, treat waste-water, etc. Hence, practicing genuinely environmentally responsible and sustainable conservation tourism;
• Value and respect local communities and human cultures, and observe the social and cultural traditions and practices of all peoples, including those of minorities and indigenous peoples and recognize their worth;
• Respect the laws, practices and customs of host regions and countries and conduct our integrated tourism and sustainable development activities in harmony with the traditions of these hosts
• Respect the equality of men and women, promote human rights and the individual rights of the most vulnerable groups, notably children, the elderly, the handicapped, ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples;
• Safeguard the natural environment with a view to achieving sound, continuous and sustainable economic growth geared to satisfying equitably the needs and aspirations of present and future generations;
• Practice a form of tourism development conducive to saving rare and precious resources, in particular water and energy, as well as avoiding so far as possible waste production;
• Agree to the imposition of limitations or constraints on our activities when these are exercised in particularly sensitive areas such as desert, polar or high mountain regions, coastal areas, tropical forests or wetlands;
• Encourage the creation of nature reserves or protected areas;
• Associate local populations with tourism activities and have them share equitably in the economic, social and cultural benefits they generate, and particularly in the creation of direct and indirect jobs resulting from them;
• Help to raise the standard of living of the populations of the regions we are active in and, to the extent possible, to integrate them in the local economic and social fabric by giving priority to local manpower where skills are equal;
• With the greatest transparency and objectivity share and deliver information on future programmes and their foreseeable repercussions and foster dialogue on their contents with the populations concerned;
• Guarantee the fundamental rights of our staff and employed workers in our activities;
• Stimulate our staff  to acquire appropriate initial and continuous training and to further develop a professional activity in the field of tourism;
• Implement the principles of the WTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism