Sustainable Development
Our Commitment to Sustainable Development
At Spiritours, sustainable development is central to our mission: offering meaningful journeys that respect people, cultures, places, and the environment. Our approach is rooted in continuous improvement, inspired by Travelife criteria (we are currently engaged in the certification process), best practices in responsible tourism, and our human and spiritual values.
Below are some of the concrete actions that guide both our travel design and the way we manage our company.
Responsibly Designed Journeys
We prioritize small group travel, balanced pacing, and itineraries focused on the quality of the experience rather than mass tourism. Whenever possible, we extend stays in one location, favor less busy seasons, and highlight destinations that are less frequented.
Mobility and Environmental Footprint
- Preference for direct flights when possible, to reduce traveler fatigue and greenhouse gas emissions
- Use of collective transportation (coaches, minibuses) adapted to group size
- Walking and local transportation when relevant and realistic
- Carbon emissions calculated, mainly for air travel, with a voluntary offset option offered to travelers
Accommodations and Dining
- Priority given to local accommodations and, when possible, those certified in sustainable tourism (e.g., Green Key)
- Gradual assessment of partners’ sustainability practices
- Promotion of accommodations and restaurants offering local, fair trade, or organic products
- Zero tolerance for practices that violate human rights, children’s rights, or biodiversity
Responsible Activities
- Selection of activities that respect local communities, wildlife, and ecosystems
- Exclusion of activities involving animals in captivity, except where strictly regulated by law
- Collaboration with qualified local guides, especially in Indigenous and sensitive cultural or natural sites
- Traveler awareness of responsible behavior and codes of conduct
Supporting Local Communities
- Economic benefits favoring host communities (guides, artisans, accommodations, local restaurants)
- Integration, when possible, of community, social, or artisanal projects into our itineraries
- Encouragement for travelers to support local and solidarity-based initiatives
A Responsible and Coherent Company
Our commitment also applies to our internal operations.
Environmental Practices
- Reduced paper use and office composting
- Daily eco-friendly practices promoted among our team
- Ongoing efforts to better structure our environmental impact assessment
Social Commitment
- Quality employment, with a strong focus on employee well-being
- Equity and inclusion, including roommate matching for solo travelers when possible
- Member of the Economy of Communion, an international sharing economy network
- Active social involvement through solidarity and social reintegration initiatives
Clients and Transparency
- Clear and honest information about our trips and commitments
- Strong data privacy and legal compliance practices
- Post-trip satisfaction surveys, progressively including sustainability-related questions
Certifications and Memberships
- Certified Les Pages Vertes (Distinction)
- Pollinator member of Tourisme Durable Québec
- Currently becoming a Travelife Partner and working toward certification
A Journey of Continuous Improvement
We see sustainable development as an ongoing journey. While many actions are already in place, others continue to evolve as we strengthen our policies, partnerships, and traveler awareness.
Faithful to our mission, we believe that travel can be a meaningful force for connection, transformation, and respect, benefiting both travelers and the communities they visit.
