Travelife looks for evidence of compliance in the form of documentation that covers the following areas as these all ensure that good sustainability management practices are in place:

Policies: These should include written statements of commitment, an outline of how the business will meet this commitment and be signed by a senior manager.

Goals & targets: Whilst these can be threaded throughout other parts of the Standard, Travelife wants to see that properties are continually setting goals and targets that minimise negative impacts and increase positive ones. Sometime these are included in policies.

Procedures: These can show us if a business has integrated certain sustainability practices into their day-to-day operations. For example, a guest complaints procedure can show us one aspect of how the property manages quality assurance and how well they are performing in this area.

Reporting: Regular internal and external reporting that includes an analysis of how well the business did against their commitments, goals and targets is essential. Having these reports reviewed by senior management and available for the public to view is the best way to ensure transparency and that sustainability work remains on track and continues to improve.

Legal compliance: No business can claim to be operating responsibly if they are not aware of all relevant laws and can demonstrate they are complying with them. Travelife asks to see evidence that this is being carried out and that compliance is being monitored on a regular basis.

Resourcing: A business will only be able to adhere to their policies and achieve their targets if they have ensured their sustainability work is adequately resourced in terms of having dedicated staff to work in each of the core sustainability areas and ensured that all staff are provided with the necessary information and training to support the business’ work.

Much of the terminology used in this lesson is self-explanatory, however, here are some of the terms that we know our Members can be confused about, particularly as some of our requirements cross over different areas of the Travelife Standard.

Environmental impacts: These are the effects the operations of the business have on air, soil and water quality, along with biodiversity and animal welfare. They also include the use of hazardous substances, although there are some health and safety considerations here too.

Community engagement and support: This refers to the people and places in the business’s location. It includes things like local biodiversity, animal welfare, economic development, community relations, cultural heritage, protecting vulnerable people in the community along with things like planning permissions and access. Many Travelife requirements relating to community cross over into other areas such as environmental impacts, human rights and legislation.

Legislation: This refers to laws and regulations. They could be international, national, local or even specific to an industry body that the business belongs to. Where no local or national law exists, Travelife looks to either international laws or guidelines from respected and reputable NGOs and international bodies. For example, if a country has no minimum wage law, Travelife will look to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) for guidance.

Licensing & permits: These are documents that the business must have in order to comply with legislation.  For example, a local law might require that all bars have a liquor licence from the local authority.

Quality assurance: This refers to how a business maintains high standards of quality across all of their operations. At Travelife, we want to see that some core procedures are in place to address that and we specifically want to see that there is a method of collecting feedback from guests and staff, and that procedures are in place to ensure that feedback is reviewed and, where necessary, acted upon.