Responsible Travel Policy

SURFIRAN presents its Responsible Travel Policy. Responsible travel is about the attitude you exhibit and choices you make when traveling with respect to the benefit of the local population and its culture. All our tours are not only saturated and interesting but also provide benefits to the environment and the local communities. We strive to preserve the uniqueness of fragile remote places and small communities and to minimize the negative impact of tourism on local natural and cultural environments.

We aim to create better travel experiences for our customers and believe that the local communities can take a lot of benefits from responsible tourism. We assist the communities with whom we collaborate so that they can earn an income.

We know that tourism can have both an exceptionally positive and potentially negative impact on local communities. We are therefore committed to operating according to our responsible travel guidelines and we hope that we can make a difference.

Environmental Responsibility

SURFIRAN aims to limit our impact on the environment in several ways. When on tour, we aim to preserve and protect delicate ecosystems, wildlife, and natural habitats by following strict rules that minimize the effects of our presence in an area.

We endeavor to preserve and enhance the environments in which we operate and work with all relevant local bodies and authorities to help preserve or improve the environment and deliver a long-term benefit for the host community.

Where possible, we choose suppliers who have green practices in place.

We attempt to reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles by providing water bottles and actively encouraging our customers to use them.

We do not leave any plastics, cans, bottles, bottle tops, or cigarette ends behind.

Economic Responsibility

We employ local citizens for managing our operations.

We support local tourism in regions where it exists, such as rural tourism or historical trips.

We encourage our clients to buy locally made products and craft items from local stores, which serve as unique souvenirs.

We ensure that local economies benefit from our business by using locally-owned accommodations, employing local people as specialist guides, working with local operators and suppliers, sourcing food from locally-owned stores, and eating and drinking in local bars and restaurants. This investment not only supports local communities but also offers our travelers a genuine insight into a country and its people.

Social Responsibility

We deal with locally owned, managed, and staffed ground agents and, where possible, try and stay in locally owned hotels and lodges. The ground agents pay a fair salary to staff and provide regular training to support their future development. This ensures that all wages paid to the staff generated from our partnership remain in their own community and are spent by them as they see fit.

We aim to produce authentic experiences on our trips so guests of the countries can learn about the communities and cultures they visit to the benefit of both locals and visitors. We encourage all visitors to respect local customs and religions: through positive interaction with local communities, this not only generates mutual respect between cultures but also helps produce a more enriching experience for visitors and locals alike.

Many of our tours offer opportunities to visit ancient places such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites where our entrance fees contribute to the maintenance and restoration of these unique places.

We believe relaxation is important for every holiday, but as humans, we should respect our fellow beings. We encourage our clients to positively impact their destinations. For every single tour, our tour guides provide briefings that highlight cultural sensitivities.

We also consider ethics to be an important part of our research. We value feedback on our policies and encourage our clients to comment on our responsible practices.

Corrections Policy

At SURFIRAN, we are committed to maintaining transparency and accountability in all our practices. If we identify or are made aware of any mistakes or inaccuracies in our content, communication, or activities, we promptly investigate and address them. We correct errors swiftly and openly and are dedicated to ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to responsible tourism.

Ethics Policy

Our commitment to ethical tourism is unwavering. We conduct our operations with integrity, fairness, and respect for all stakeholders. We adhere to the highest standards of conduct in all aspects of our business, from our interactions with local communities to our dealings with customers, partners, and suppliers. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, exploitation, or unethical behavior and actively promote ethical practices throughout our organization.

Diversity Policy

SURFIRAN values diversity and inclusivity in all our operations. We strive to create an environment that respects and embraces different cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds. Our tours and operations aim to reflect this diversity, promoting understanding and appreciation of varied communities and cultures. We encourage our travelers to engage respectfully and mindfully with local communities and their unique traditions.

Diversity Staffing Report

We believe a diverse team brings different perspectives and ideas, enhancing our ability to deliver unique travel experiences. SURFIRAN commits to fair hiring practices and actively works to build a team that represents diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We regularly review and report on our staffing diversity to ensure that we continue to reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve and engage with.

Staff and Office

The staff is committed to being as environmentally friendly as possible. All of the staff use public transport and the manager cycles to work. All paper, as well as aluminum cans and plastic, are recycled. Our offices endeavor to be environmentally sound through practicing energy conservation and adhering to recycling schemes.

Our group tours have a maximum of 6 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit. We do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.