29/07/2024
Shana Travel Sustainability Policy
Sustainability
Shana Travel is doing everything possible to providing a great experience iterms of the environment and culture. Our Travelers we want to give unforgettable memories while traveling with us and collecting wow moments
Our Point of View
Our travelers are getting before and during their vacation all information we can give about the country culture and nature they be exploring during the visit to Panama.
We try our level best to ensure that all locally operated companies gain benefits from our tours, and so we arrange for accommodation in local restaurants, eat local food, appoint local people to serve as tour guides.
We preserve the environment by trying to reduce harmful emission. This we achieve by recycling and reusing whatever we can while ensuring that wild life and natural habitat is not affected by our actions.
Below, we gave a bit an idea of all the practices which we are committed to do. It is a work in progress always improving and getting more focused, we welcome any feedback which you can provide us.
Economic Responsibilities
• We try only to use those products, suppliers and services that are offered by local companies because we believe it to be an extremely ethical action. Even if it may mean paying additional prices, we do not have issues with it because we are benefiting the local economy.
• We employ Panamanians or official Residents (with work permit).
• We support rural tourism , historical and Indigenous culture tour
• We tell our Travelers where to buy local made souvenirs and presents.
• We pay our staff salaries that are significantly higher than the market average. As we’ll be pay their part of social security.
• Every Employee has once a month a paid me day, to refill the mental energy.
Environmental Responsibilities
Along with economic responsibility, we also focus on environmental responsibilities. We support and preserve the natural environment and habitat. Moreover, our guides are educated individuals who can speak multiple languages. and provide information on all national and regional issues.
Almost every region in the world is facing issues like water shortage, landfill and environmental degradation. Even though we can leave it to the government to solve these issues, we play our part and do the little bits that can help in the bigger picture when combined.
• We use cleaning substances like soap and detergent that are biodegradable and we expect our … to use the same. They may be costly, but throughout the tours, we usually use river water that is still very clean and unpolluted. We want this to stay the same.
• We ensure transportation means we use suitable ones for the region and to our travelers’ needs as well. We regularly inspect and conduct maintenance of these vehicles so they perform at full efficiency, thereby limiting the formation of carbon emissions while ensuring our clients’ safety and comfort.
• We consider animal welfare important and we do not support people who do not abide.We only offer horse riding tours on fincas we personal inspect every year to guarantee the well been of the horses. (By now we know the horses by name still not the other way around.)
• Cleanliness is our most important attribute. We do not litter anywhere and properly dispose of waste in suitable places.Our guides always carry a garbage bag on them and plastic gloves to pick up garbage if they see anything.
• We advise our clients to always carry a small garbage bags as well.
• Dispose of batteries in the cities and not in any remote location.
• Do not waste resources like water and electricity. You can contribute by switching off lights and equipment not being used.
• Do not harm or disturb vegetation.
Social Responsibilities
Shana Travel is dedicated to promoting responsible tourism. We have integrated social responsibilities in the core of our business so that we can provide humanity with more benefits while working to preserve the environment.
Employees
While hiring our employees, we respect diversity. Fair payment rules, participative management, work safety, personal development and good working conditions are what we believe in. We aim at extending and sharing our social responsibility with our employees and travelers.
We hire those industry experts that belong to local regions and have spent several years in the field. The salaries of our Guides and Drivers and Captains are more than the market averages, and are paid timely. Moreover, we never overburden our employees with their duties and we ensure their personal safety throughout the course of the job. We ensure that our office operate in a safe and sound environment. We try to conserve energy, implement recycle plans, and take responsibility for the surroundings.
Local Suppliers and Operators
We aim to work with those individuals and companies who play their parts in social responsibility and just like us, ensure that they provide their clients with the highest quality while respecting the local communities and preserving the environment.
Shana Travel has been handling tours in Panama since the last 20t years or so. In this time, we have built long and successful relationships with our bluishness partners. We believe that our continuous success is just because we support the local communities who welcome us. We are committed to supporting their businesses, allowing these operators to prosper. This increases their confidence and leads to development of their services and products.
Whenever we design a new tour, we consult and seek advice from several local communities to ascertain that we are drafting realistic proposals. While selecting these companies, we only take help from those companies who have a positive outlook and plan on working long term. We are always very honest about how our products can affect the local communities and ensure that we do not force them where they are not wanted.
Ever since our inception, we have always relied on local companies, representatives and guides. Almost all of our hired experts are sourced locally so as to ensure knowledgeable and motivated employees, complete guidance provided to our clients and promotion of local traditions.
We are closely linked with local agencies which allow us to contribute to the local economy. Moreover, it lets our Travelers gain a deeper insight into the culture and local traditions which are followed in these areas, There are certain tours on which advice from these guides in indeed invaluable such as the Darien or the camino de los cruses.
Local Food and Restaurants
On all our tours, we encourage our clients to consume food offered by local Restaurants instead of dining at multinational brands which they can do so at their own homes as well. Not only does this provide the clients with an authentic experience of the traditional cuisine, but also supports these local communities and help them in following their customs in terms of cooking and recipes. This ensures culture longevity which is an asset in areas where these rituals are in the danger of being lost.
There are some Adventure Tours on which we provide our clients with food. We purchase fresh, tasty and quality items from the reputed local markets in areas where it is possible. Our commitment of providing them with support ensures that these companies keep on prospering and developing themselves.We as well offer local cooking classes.
The Community
We believe in promoting participation of all local communities that exist in areas where we operate. For this, we sign off contracts with the best drivers, guides and experts.
We treat all people respectfully and carefully observe traditions which they practice. We encourage all our clients to do the same and provide them with details about the national culture. We gave them complete knowledge regarding the traditions and customs. When we use local guides who help our clients, it ensures that at least some of the local communities do gain benefit from our business.
Office Space and Work hours
Shana travel has one office for briefings. As we give work possibilities to mothers with children, our employees work from home. The needed tools like computer etc. are given by the company. Once a day the Team meets or if one Team member is wanting a meeting.
Welcome meetings with Travelers are mostly done in local Restaurants. Work hours are flexible, and the employee is self-responsible about the time, as so long as the work gets done. Emergency phone is rotated.
Staff Education
We give our new staff members a complete briefing of our Responsible Travel Policy, and provide them with a documented version as well. We give our employees complete awareness about recycling and request them to recycle cardboard, waste paper, plastics and cans. We remind our staff again and again to switch off lights and appliances not in use.
Paper
We have aimed at recycling 100% of all the paper and cardboard material which we use. We store most of our data thorough electronic means but because of electricity conditions we as well have an handwritten agenda Travelers information we always send digital.
We email travel guides and other relevant information to the clients, thereby reducing the use of paper. We refrain from unnecessary printing of emails and documents and follow the motto ‘Be Green. Read from the Screen If we have to photocopy, we do it on both paper sides.. We buy toilet paper and other materials that are made through renewable energy resources from recycled materials.
Electricity and Technology
We use only those computers, photocopiers, desk phones, fax machines and printers that make efficient use of electricity. The same goes for other appliances like kettle, fridge and microwaves.
If we have to replace our equipment, we sell them off to be reused or send them for recycling. They are not sent to the landfill.
We switch off all appliances every night in order to save electricity.
We use energy efficient lighting systems and request our staff to turn off the lights if there is ample sunlight in the room.
We only buy recycled print cartridges and send them for recycling when they finish up.
We purchase rechargeable batteries.
We avoid using disposable CDs, and we also recycle mobile phones, currency and coins.
We do not use air condition in the office but applied a feng shui interior.
Transport
We offer bicycles to our employees
When traveling we use the public transport system
Water
We boil only the water amounts which are actually required.
We do not wash dishes in running water, but opt for plugging the sink.
We have installed water savers in the toilets.
We use only biodegradable cleaning products that do not harm the environment.
Other than human waste and toilet paper, we do not flush anything down the toilet.
