Sustainability Policy Mister Valencia

This sustainability policy was last updated on March 2023.

1. Why sustainable tourism

There is only one planet earth. And in order to continue living on it, we must do everything we can to protect it. We are convinced that sport brings people closer together, but we are also aware that without rethinking processes, the tourism industry cannot survive. We want to leave the least impact possible on the planet, to leave the greatest impact possible on the people we are bringing together.

2. Sustainability Vision & Mission

Vision – where we aspire to go 

Our vision is to show our customers the love for sport and the city of Valencia, positively impacting the development of both. By connecting cultures, sports and people we aspire to make a positive contribution to society and let customers discover the real Valencia through Mister Valencia’s local knowledge. 

Mission – how we will achieve that 

By working with local facilities, restaurants and service suppliers, our mission is to maximise the positive impact on the local environment and development of the sport and city. By thinking local environmental standards ahead and training employees, our mission is to minimise the negative impact on the environment.

Sustainability Policy

1. Sustainability management and legal compliance

We commit to;

• Having a responsible sustainability coordinator; 
• Having a sustainable mission statement that is communicated to customers, partners and suppliers; 
• Collaborating with external working groups that support sustainability in tourism; 
• Conducting a baseline measurement of the organisation’s sustainability performance;
• Having a sustainability action plan with clear goals, actions, measures, responsibilities and timelines; 
• Developing documented procedures to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the sustainability policy, objectives; 
• Ensuring organisational transparency through public reporting and communication; 
• Involving all employees and ensuring that they are fully aware of the sustainability policy
• Complying with all national laws, regulations and rules

2. Internal management: social policy and human rights

We commit to rights by; 

• Having a written Human Resource policy 
• Ensuring equal opportunities in terms of residentship, gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or in any other way. 
• Enabling employees to confidently communicate complaints 
• Constantly measuring employee satisfaction and being open for feedback and suggestions 
• Training employees on how to minimise health and safety risks in the office
• Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment 
• Providing employees with sufficient opportunities to train and develop their skills 
• Offering internship opportunities 

3. Internal management: Environment and community relation

We commit to; 

• Actively reducing the use of disposables; 
• Giving preference to durable goods and services, office and catering supplies, corporate gifts and merchandise; 
• Use reusable cups, cutlery and plates in the office; 
• Not using plastic bottles in the office; 
• Separating all materials that can be recycled; 
• Purchasing products in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging material;
• Having brochures printed on FSC (or other certified label) paper,
• Offering brochures online to reduce paper; 
• Actively engage in measuring and reducing energy consumption by using energy-efficient lighting 
• Turning off all lights and equipment when out of use; 
• Preferring energy-efficient equipment when buying new products;
• Complying with national waste disposal legislation;

4. Local partners

Based on a survey of our key local partners, we have developed and implemented a policy to improve the sustainability practices of our local partners. Our aim is to make sustainable development concrete for each partner within our company.

We commit to this by;

• Keeping a record of the sustainability practices of local partners;
• Paying attention to the benefits of local people when selecting local agents and their social policies for employees; 
• Creating awareness about sustainable tourism and its impacts;
• Informing local partners about Travelife sustainability standards and national tourism standards and laws; 
• Reviewing sustainability practices of key partners regularly to ensure they are actually working sustainably; 
• Informing local partners about the sustainability policy and that they are expected to adhere to it; 
• Motivating local partners to participate in (local) sustainability trainings;

5. Transportation

Mister Valencia tries to ensure that vehicles used during trips do not cause more than average pollution. We believe that transport is an important aspect of sustainable tourism and we do our best to reduce the average level of pollution. 

We commit to this by; 

• Selecting the most sustainable options, taking into account price and comfort when selecting transport options to the destination; 
• Preferring more sustainable alternatives when selecting transport options for transfers and excursions at the destination, taking into account price, comfort and practical considerations; 
• Offsetting some or all of the carbon emissions from the trip. 

6. Accommodation

Mister Valencia seeks to achieve a fully sustainable supply chain. Partners’ accommodations play an important role here and are encouraged and motivated to implement sustainable practices. 

We commit to this by;

• Selecting accommodations that meet sustainability and quality standards with a special focus on corporate social responsibility; 
• Giving preference to accommodations that are locally owned and locally managed; 
• Encouraging accommodations to undergo sustainability training;
• Clearly and actively communicating sustainability objectives to accommodations; 
• Ensuringing that through the supply chain, children’s rights are respected and safeguarded;

7. Trips and activities

Mister Valencia is committed to community wellbeing and therefore strives to travel with a small footprint. We protect the authenticity of local people and the natural environment and oppose environmental pollution. We commit to this by; 

• Advising clients on standards of behaviour during trips and activities with a focus on respecting local habits, nature and environment; 
• Communicating sustainability goals and requirements to contracted trip providers; 
• Not offering trips that harm people, animals, plants, natural resources such as water and energy, or are socially and culturally unacceptable; 
• Employing competent and/or certified guides to accompany clients at sensitive cultural and/or environmental destinations;

8. Tour management and guides

Mister Valencia aims to involve as many locals as possible in the tourism industry. We stand for a fair and safe working environment that supports and respects local communities. We do so by; 

• Preferring to work with local tour leaders, representatives, guides, porters, drivers, chefs and other local staff in case of equal ability; 
• Ensuring that all local partners comply with applicable international, national and local laws and regulations, and minimum standards in the tourism industry; 
• Ensuring that local employees are informed about relevant aspects of the sustainability policy; 
• Having local employees inform clients about relevant sustainability issues at the destination, social norms and values, and human rights;

9. Destinations

We are committed to sustainable destinations by;

• Taking sustainability issues into account in the selection process of new destinations and possibly offering alternative destinations; 
• Not selecting destinations where tourism leads to structural negative local impacts (unless its involvement results in clear counterbalance effects);
• Considering accessibility by more sustainable means of transport in selection of new destinations; 
• Compliancing with legally based spatial planning, protected areas and heritage regulation. 
• Supporting initiatives that improve the relationship between accommodations and local suppliers

10. Customer communication and protection

Prior to booking, we commit to; 

• Adhering to relevant values and codes of conduct in marketing and advertising whereby no more is promised than is delivered; 
• Offering product and price information clearly, completely and accurately;
• Providing destination information that is factually correct, balanced and complete; 
• Informing customers about sustainable alternatives regarding accommodation, excursions, package tours and transport options, if available; 
• Informing customers about sustainability commitments and actions. After and during the customer’s trip, we commit to: 
• Providing information to customers about the natural environment, local culture and cultural heritage at the travel destination; 
• Informing consumers about important sustainability aspects and issues at the destination; 
• Informing customers about risks and precautions related to health and safety issues at the destination; 
• Keep a contact person and telephone number permanently available for emergency situations; 
• Providing customers with written guidelines and/or codes of conduct for sensitive excursions and activities to minimise negative visitor impact and maximise enjoyment; 
• Motivating customers to visit local restaurants and shops; 
• Informing customers of sustainable transport options at the destination wherever possible;

  
  After the customer journey, we commit to;

• Systematically measure customer satisfaction and consider the results for service and product improvements.