Handspan Travel

Sustainable Excursion Policy

Date of approval: Jan 2026

Policy Statement

Handspan Travel focuses on excursions and activities when designing travel experiences for our guests. We are committed to developing and offering responsible excursions that respect the environment, culture while bringing economic benefits to local communities. We offer no activities that harm humans, animals, plants, natural resources (e.g., water/energy), or which are socially/culturally unacceptable.

This policy reflects Handspan’s commitment to responsible tourism by ensuring that all excursions, whether offered directly by Handspan or indirectly through partners, are planned, evaluated, and delivered in collaboration with local communities and in line with recognized sustainability principles.

Scope of the Policy

• This policy is a part of the sustainability policy and is applied to these below types of excursions.
• All excursions and activities included in Handspan’s inbound and outbound itineraries
• Excursions operated directly by Handspan
• Excursions provided by third-party suppliers, including local DMCs and activity providers
• Individual suppliers such as accommodation and transport providers are governed by separate supplier policies.

Collaboration with Local Communities

Handspan actively involves local communities in excursion planning and product development. This approach helps:

• Minimize misunderstandings and negative social impacts
• Strengthen mutual respect between visitors and host communities
• Maximize local socio-economic benefits
• Provide authentic and meaningful experiences for travelers

Local input is considered when designing itineraries, selecting activities, and defining codes of conduct for guests.

Evaluation of Excursion Sustainability

Handspan commits to evaluating the sustainability of excursions, with particular attention to sensitive activities. They include these below activities.

• Wildlife-related activities
• Visits to indigenous or culturally sensitive communities
• Activities in protected or ecologically fragile areas

These activities can be evaluated from these below criteria.

• Feedback from local partners and guides
• Internal review by Handspan’s operations team
• Client feedback and post-tour evaluations

Guidelines for Sustainable Excursions

5.1. Respect for Local Traditions and Culture

When designing the itinerary’s excursions, Handspan focuses on:

• Encouraging respectful interaction with local people
• Including visits to locally owned arts, crafts, and cultural venues
• Featuring regional cuisine and local food experiences
• Requiring guests to ask permission before taking photographs
• Promoting culturally appropriate behavior (dress code, etiquette, conduct)

5.2 Respect for the Environment

Handspan excursions should:

• Comply with regulations of protected areas and heritage sites
• Favor walking, cycling, and hiking, where feasible
• Operate in small group sizes to respect carrying capacity
• Ensure no waste is left on-site and promote “leave no trace” principles
• Encourage refillable water bottles and consumption of local snacks or fruits

5.3 Animal Welfare

Handspan does not offer or promote excursions that:

• Involve captive wildlife performances
• Allow close contact, feeding, riding, or handling of wild animals
• Support the trade or exploitation of animals

In case wildlife observation is included in the excursions:

• A safe and respectful distance must always be maintained
• Activities must comply with local, national, and international animal welfare standards

5.4 Support for the Local Economy

• Handspan prioritizes excursions that:
• Encourage the purchase of locally made products
• Dine at locally owned restaurants sourcing from local farmers
• Employ local guides and workers
• Maximize economic benefits retained within the destination

Guest Awareness and Education

Handspan ensures that travelers are informed about environmental and cultural sensitivities by:

• Working with local partners to share accurate information on history, culture, religion, and traditions
• Providing guidance on appropriate behavior, photography etiquette, and dress codes
• Using local guides and specialists to interpret local flora, fauna, heritage, and livelihoods

Requirements for Excursion Providers

When contracting or collaborating with excursion providers, Handspan gives preference to those who:

• Are locally owned and community-based
• Hold recognized sustainability certifications (where available)
• Provide fair and safe working conditions for employees
• Offer training opportunities (e.g. sustainability, first aid, child protection)
• Respect children’s rights and do not employ children under 14
• Do not restrict local communities’ access to natural or cultural resources
• Minimize negative impacts on biodiversity
• Use trained and qualified local guides, especially in sensitive sites

Training, Codes of Conduct, and Awareness

Handspan:

• Distributes relevant codes of conduct to staff, partners, and guides
• Provides training and internal guidance on sustainable excursion practices
• Actively raises awareness among staff and partners about responsible tourism principles

Monitoring and Improvement

• Handspan follows a continuous improvement approach by:
• Monitoring excursion practices through staff observations and feedback
• Engaging in dialogue with suppliers to improve sustainability performance
• Ending cooperation with suppliers that consistently fail to meet sustainability standards

Policy Commitment

Handspan gives preference to excursions that operate under controlled sustainability standards and demonstrate respect for local traditions, animal welfare, and the environment. We do not support activities that harm people, animals, ecosystems, or cultural integrity. Our excursions aim to generate tangible benefits for local communities while offering enriching and responsible travel experiences.

Termination Clause and Corrective Actions

Handspan reserves the right to suspend or terminate cooperation with any excursion provider or partner in cases of serious or repeated violations of this Sustainable Excursion Policy.

In the event that a breach of this policy is identified, Handspan will:

• Inform the partner of the identified non-compliance;
• Request corrective actions within a reasonable and clearly defined timeframe;
• Provide guidance where appropriate to support improvement.

If the partner fails to implement corrective actions, or if the violation involves serious breaches related to human rights, animal welfare, environmental protection, child protection, or local community access to resources, Handspan may immediately terminate the partnership without further notice.