Tourism is a multi-disciplinary science that relates itself with almost all available and possible human walks of life. To this effect, it can not by itself stand-alone or exist in a vacuum. We, therefore, call it a complex industry of people. Therefore, if we have to deal with sustainability in a successful manner, we need to address and involve all stakeholders/partners in the tourism value chain.

As much it has benefits, it also has impacted both negative and positive, thus, we have to try to minimize, manage and regulate the negative impacts by following standard sustainability principles, codes of conduct, and policy that matches international demands/standards.

 

we strongly believe in sustainability for the sake of reducing the impact of our operations and also saving resources for the future generation so that they can meet their need in a proper way without facing scarcity that might be caused because of our negligent use of resources.

In view of this, we had 16 fluorescent lamps in our office and we reduced them to only 4; we also switch off the power when not necessary; all PC and monitors will be switched off when not in use, staff are also advised to turn off all lights, PC’s including monitors on leaving the office. At the same time, we are very serious about water usage and we have taken serious awareness in water consumption; we do not do regular office cleaning unless it is really a must as our office actually does not get much dirt – in the past, as we have a janitor, the office will be cleaned every day whatever it is but not, this is not the case. The other policy we have even in the past is paper usage, we re-use files opened for one guest or group on the reverse side, we also do not do prints unless very critical and all prints other than official letters are printed on the reverse side of a previously used paper. We also cut into pieces any used paper on the reverse side and use it for an inter-office memorandum, notes, and calculations, internal forms, requisition papers, etc. We do not have much waste other than paper and that is well handled, to the extent we deliver them to local shops/ kiyosks for reuse as packaging goods for sale. 

 

Labor conditions: We have the bests and friendly working conditions in our office everybody is part of one F.K. Explorer Family, no one gets better treatment than the other; all are equally treated as we all work for one and the same goal, everybody has his/her part/role that is quite indispensable to the achievement of our goals and objectives. Above all, we are bound by the rule of law of the land and we strictly abide by the labor law of Ethiopia. Our company is even more flexible and very friendly when it comes to employees' social life and we are more friendly to our staff in as much as possible. Honeymoon leave, annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and the like are all in place. Our traveling staff/employees even have travel-related insurance when on duty.

Transpiration is wisely controlled and vehicles will just leave the office premise without filling log-shits for movement; we also have the policy that a vehicle can’t just travel anyhow for just one or two little assignments, we communicate among all possible employees and management what work we have in the mornings so that we can organize our transport in a coordinated way and then the movement gets on the go from there.

 

F.K. Explorer will not hinder or create any obstacle to its staff from joining any trade union or association but supports it as much as possible. It is also a right and rule of the land that any employee is free to join labor unions and associations. For now, almost all our guides are members of the Ethiopian Tourist Guides Professional Association.

 

According to the Ethiopian Labor Law, any employee is obliged to give the company a 1 month (30 days) advance notice before leaving his/her assignment or resignation. At the same time at F.K. Explorer employees are given a paid day-off when they are not needed in the office; even full-time house guides and drivers are not forced to be at the office when off duty unless they have something to do.

 

All employees will fill an employment form, give details of their profile, term of employment, initial salary. Then they will receive an employment letter with job descriptions etc. The first 45 days are called the probation period as per the labor law of Ethiopia after which the employee may resume being a permanent employee if proved competent enough after the probation and will be given a letter confirming his/her continual of the post and employment.  

 

We pay all employees a monthly salary and also an additional allowance for those directly involved in travel like, guides, drivers, cooks and porters during trekking, assistant cooks and other campsite helpers. Our living wage is at least 25% higher than the legal minimum.

 

We normally work office hours and if they are field guides and drivers, they have travel on duty payments. But, if overtime work applies for extra hours in the office duty or in the city duty after the normal working hours per the rule of the land and company policy of payment on this.

 

The sick leave is actually prescribed by the doctors and our company will comply with it as per the country's labor law. The company's employee will be paid his/her salary while on sick leave.

 

We are forced by law to keep all necessary first aid kits in all vehicles as we are a tour operating company. The same is also available in the office. Our drivers and guides have first aid training. 

 

Our company employs staff based on the need and available vacancy with merit and not discrimination at all. We employ males or females based on their skill, qualification, and academic background that the position needs. People will not by any means be discriminated against for their religion, gender, race, or ethnicity as far as they are qualified for the post. 

 

We do handle complaints. They have to report to the head of administration or the managing director directly as per the existing country's labor law. They are at any time welcome to present their grievances to the management. However, the formal way in our company is that they present their request in a written form and submit it to the head of administration/managing director. 

 

Most procedures about the do's/do not's of our company are advised (briefed) to the employee during employment; things like delay in coming to the office, absence without informing the office, negligence of duty and responsibility, etc. We explain this during meetings as well and they are well aware. In case such things happen, we use verbal warnings for the first two incidents. If this exceeds two cases, we write them warning letters before any formal penalty occurs. The procedure is: after all the warnings, the next is a penalty in (monetary terms/cash) (deducting one to three days net income) and if it still persists, we implement the labor law toward dismissal. However, we have never had any conflict so far as we have a very friendly and good working environment.

 

Persons with disabilities 

So far, we do not have people with special needs as yet but if they are qualified enough for any post we need/have and happen to be in our company, we will comply with the existing national legislation/laws.

 

We do have an internal way of communication with all employees as need to see how they are feeling and of course, this reflects on their day-to-day performance and behavior based on which we communicate with them through the existing structure. We also keep continuous salary and allowance increments based on the living conditions and life standard demands of the land in as much as possible; we follow the existing market trends. And the employees also can express their concerns when available which is advised to be submitted in writing.

 

The company mainly allows staff to continue academic perusal and most of our employees attend language schools for the purpose of being multilingual while some still write their second degrees. The company very well supports them mainly to economize their time hand-in-hand with their employed work giving them the chance of flexibility to schedule their program.

 

F.K. Explorer Ethiopia makes it clear that all our partners abide by the law and avoid child labor and sexual exploitation related to our operation or anywhere in our value chain which is within our involvement and control.

F.K. Explorer Ethiopia will not employ underage children per the law of the land, we also do not cooperate with any partner not respecting the child protection code of conduct be it national or international. We are against child labor and child abuse. Violation of it will face penalty and prosecution.

We fight children’s sexual exploitation.

The sexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism describes the sexual abuse of a minor abroad, in exchange for cash or other compensation such as food or gifts, given either directly to the child or to a third party. This type of exploitation includes child sexual abuse, child prostitution, and child pornography and affects an estimated two million children worldwide every year.

The tourism sector and society as a whole have a role and responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation. There are holiday destinations where sex tourists can venture undisturbed into hotels, bars, or restaurants with a local underage girl or boy on their side. People must not turn a blind eye, but rather, act when they suspect any form of abuse. Also, when tourism professionals offer their services in areas exposed to sex tourism, the protection of children should be paramount and become an integral part of their business operations.

F.K. Explorer Ethiopia Travel & Tours PLC condemns all forms of sexual exploitation of children and supports all acts of law made to prevent and punish such crimes. We expect that our customers, partners, and all members of our staff refuse to take part in the sexual exploitation of children and that they report all cases of sexual exploitation of children of which they become aware.

Violation of this policy may result in dismissal, reporting to the police, and the end of ongoing collaboration.

Even though there is not written enforcement of law in the country, we agree with the carbon compensation plan. However, as at this moment, we are participating in the tree planting (green legacy policy of Ethiopia both at individual and company levels.

 

We are obliged by law to pay for waste disposal and the local government structure is followed to dispose of waste. All we do is pay for the waste disposal and also prepare the waste in a bag to be disposed of twice a week. 

 

We have tried to minimize our paper use by 25% by avoiding unnecessary printings and also introducing soft copy itineraries on smartphones for the guides, drivers, and clients. To the least, when we have clients, not in agreement with this due to any impossible reason, we only give printed itinerary (double-sided) to the clients and still provide our staff the soft copy. As for Coffee cups, fortunately for us in Ethiopia, we only use non-single use cups.

In as much as possible, we use biodegradable materials for our operations, including packed coffee giveaways. But mainly, we use local or traditional hand carted packaging and gifts produced by the local community and almost 99.9% of them are biodegradable. They at the same time help the community so much as a way of creating jobs.  

 

As part of the sustainability policy of our company, we only use a refillable water supply jar (thanker) in our office. The water is taken from the tab, then boiled and filtered. All cups are not - single-use either.

 

For the past 15 years, our company has been using the refilling and recycling method for toner/ink as a result of economizing resources and reducing unnecessary costs. So, we always refill or recycle all our toner cartridges in as much as they can be re-used.

 

F.K. Explorer Ethiopia promotes the use of sustainable transport methods for its staff and affiliates. A travel allowance will only be given for people using public transport.

 

Most of our business travels are by air transport and as mentioned earlier, the supplier, Ethiopian Airlines has it environmental policy in place already. 

 

Though there are virtual (Tele-work) Tele/video opportunities these days, we definitely need to travel too as online and digital payments and documents are not yet well/efficiently in use in Ethiopia in most cases. Therefore, as a principle, we have our own working internal policy that after finishing most of our works online whenever possible, we then schedule and send a transport to those places to finalize the work. We used to go to and fro before that. Thanks to CBI and Sustainability concept. 

 

Our company complies with sustainability policy as much as possible even though there is very little or limited choice for a transport option in Ethiopia, we have developed and designed our policy in a way it cares and favors the sustainability of the environment. We strongly advise group travel to reduce energy consumption while it is also cheaper. we advocate for sustainability; as private car travel consumes more energy per individual than group travel. 

 

Conditions permitting F.K. Explorer Ethiopia always uses sustainable transfer in big buses or minibusses to provide a cheaper price and good comfort. 

 

Product management – we offer destinations and products that more natural, cultural, history, heritage, service friendly, and sustainable. Most of our destinations focus on community-friendly sites as much as possible. Fortunately for us, most of the accommodation in the rural areas are eco friendly or somehow they have tried to implement one thing or another as regards sustainability it is a half-solved problem for us and we use every possible opportunity to advise the best practices. However, now that we are Travelife partners, we will organize training and workshops for our stakeholders. In view of the sustainability principles, we try to reduce much drive in our itinerary, we suggest the best connections to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption and pollution. We prefer eco-lodges, community places, houses, etc to commercial hotels where the privilege of choice is available.

At the start, we use clients' request for suggestions, before we proceed to details and pricing, etc, we agree on the short/skeleton programs and once we have the consensus of the client/s we proceed to price and details of the program including conditions of the tour and its inclusions. We consult the customer to do their tour at our suggestion of expertise with minimum complication and loss in a way that enables them to get the most of their travel experience. Reservations are made only when confirmed and requested by customers to avoid re-work, save time, energy, and money/resources of all kinds. 

 

We now have a policy of using locally produced goods for our office, employees, and customers.
  

As a proud member of the CBI/TRAVELIFE, F.K. Explorer Ethiopia is offering many sustainable packages to destinations to favor both the local community, nature, and the customer as well. Our popular sustainable packages and tours include: Trekking of the Simien and Bale Mountains; the Debre-Birhan - Ankober, Kundi-Mountain- Guassa Community Lodge and reserve area/park-Senbete-Market- Seriti community tourism Village, Awash Park, Afar/Danakil Depression/Dalol & Ertale active volcano, Lalibela/TESFA TREK, and Gheralta area nature trek tours are among the best.

 

In as much as possible, F.K. Explorer Ethiopia Travel & Tours PLC offers Eco-friendly lodges and locally owned private accommodations for the benefit of both the environment, the clients, and the local community. We also organize tours with trekking options where the clients only use locally owned community lodges, sustainable accommodations, and homemade local food from their own back yards. We support environmentally friendly local accommodation, aware of sustainability, train them, make them join CBI/travel life partnership and in the process commit them to sign agreements and contribute their own share of commitment towards sustainability.
 

As part of our sustainability policy that we will give priority where & when possible and only use environment-friendly ECO-Based sustainable accommodations. To enforce this, we will keep informing our policy and also communicate to our providers and suppliers that we preferably use accommodations with strict sustainability concepts.

 

The concept of certified accommodation or sustainable accommodations is significantly little or even close to zero as at this moment, but, thanks to CBI/Travelife that now our team of CBI partners have taken the initiative to create a common goal Travelife policy at the national level first among us the partners and then sign agreements with the accommodation suppliers and other related partners as well as the government to advocate for and initiate implementation of sustainable tourism in Ethiopia. 

 

Our company will very closely collaborate with partners and suppliers that have a sustainability policy, tendency or readiness, and better understating where possible. In view of our Travelife exposure and awareness, we will henceforth work on creating mutual understating for sustainability for the good of all our us and that it is now becoming the new normal that we have to strive to commit ourselves and all in the value chain to come on-board the sustainability journey. All guides, drivers, cooks, and involved staff, customers will be at the minimum briefed of what is expected of them during each trip until it becomes the norm. In the same token, we will commit our suppliers to sign agreements for services provided in line with our consideration and concern for sustainability. Every stakeholder or staff will be advised well in advance of our expectations while the process will be monitored by a dedicated supervisor or responsible staff until the final departure of the client/s. Selection criteria will be based on compliance with sustainability issues where possible and we will work on those who have no interest or information to get them eco the same idea as we do.

To realize the philosophy and concern of sustainability at destinations, we will cooperate with local authorities to implement standing regulations and working principles and practices to inform, train and enforce readiness to abide by sustainability regulations. We will help in suggesting, organizing, and providing training where possible involve NGO’s working on conservation and sustainability concerns. The form informed and potent local community and associations that will advocate and speak, stand and commit for Sustainability.

Our company will do its level best and will by any means support travels and travelers to more sustainable destinations and products for the benefit of all: the community, the service providers, suppliers, the current and future generation inclusive.

The above is an indication of our desire for the implementation of sustainability initiatives while we keep working on it, learning from it, and improving by the day for the betterment of our business, our community both the local and traveling public, and our planet in general.

 

Our mission is delivering the best quality professional services and making travel to Ethiopia as easy as it can be while adding to the economy, minimizing the impact of our actions, and advocating sustainability.

 

In line with our mission, we strictly and highly follow all possible and existing sustainability protocols within our company as well as with all other stakeholders. We give priority to the continuity and perpetuation of nature and its related resources. Our top priorities are sustainable suppliers and partners. Therefore, in as much as possible, we work with sustainable hotels, lodges, airlines, destination management companies, professionals, associations, and individuals at all levels. 

  

To realize the philosophy and concern of sustainability at destinations, we will cooperate with local authorities to implement standing regulations and working principles and practices to inform, train and enforce readiness to abide by sustainability regulations. We will help in suggesting, organizing, and providing training where possible involve NGO’s working on conservation and sustainability concerns. The form informed and potent local community and associations that will advocate and speak, stand and commit for Sustainability.

Our company will do its level best and will by any means support travels and travelers to more sustainable destinations and products for the benefit of all: the community, the service providers, suppliers, the current and future generation inclusive.

The above is an indication of our desire for the implementation of sustainability initiatives while we keep working on it, learning from it, and improving by the day for the betterment of our business, our community both the local and traveling public, and our planet in general.