Purpose

GoAlbania SHPK is committed to introducing, practicing, and continuously improving sustainability principles in all aspects of its tourism operations. The purpose of this policy is to guide the company and its stakeholders toward responsible and sustainable tourism, and to make the company's commitments clear to travellers, guides, drivers, accommodation providers, excursion providers, local communities, and other partners.

Scope

This policy applies to all operations of GoAlbania SHPK, including product development, supplier selection, traveller communication, transport arrangements, accommodation selection, activities, excursions, purchasing decisions, and partnerships in Albania and the destinations in which the company operates. Everyone working for or on behalf of

GoAlbania SHPK is expected to understand, promote, and implement this policy within their area of responsibility.

Sustainability management and legal compliance

Sustainability commitment

GoAlbania SHPK believes that tourism can be a force for positive change. By choosing local suppliers, supporting community initiatives, and promoting authentic experiences, the company contributes to the local economy, cultural preservation, and respectful exchange between travellers and host communities.

• Use sustainability principles in planning, sales, operations, and partner relations.

• Work toward formalizing the company's responsible tourism approach through Travelife and relevant sustainability monitoring tools.

• Review sustainability performance regularly and update actions when improvement is needed.

• Communicate sustainability commitments honestly and avoid greenwashing, exaggerated claims, or misleading information.

Legal compliance and code of ethics

GoAlbania SHPK follows applicable local, regional, national, and international regulations as they relate to tourism operations, human resources, human rights, children's rights, land rights, environmental management, wildlife, and land use. The company applies a strict Code of Ethics and has a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, bribery, forced labour, human trafficking, discrimination, and sexual exploitation of children in tourism.

Internal management: social policy and human rights

Employees, contractors, and collaborators

GoAlbania SHPK recognizes that people are central to the quality and responsibility of its services. Local collaborators, including guides, drivers, tour leaders, office staff, and other representatives, must benefit from fair, transparent, and respectful working conditions.

• Provide clear agreements and transparent working arrangements for employees, contractors, and collaborators.

• Ensure remuneration complies with legal requirements and reflects fair treatment for the work performed.

• Respect work-life balance, family and social needs, and reasonable working rhythms.

• Promote a safe, healthy, collaborative, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

• Support professional development through training, exchanges, destination knowledge, customer care, safety, and sustainability learning.

• Apply fair and equal treatment regardless of gender, race, national origin, marital status, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.

GoAlbania SHPK expects the same commitment to human rights, fair working conditions, and non-discrimination from all partners and suppliers.

Internal management: environment

Environmental management of operations

GoAlbania SHPK manages environmental impact as an integral part of its operations. The company seeks to reduce negative impacts related to energy, water, paper, waste, purchasing, digital work, and transport decisions.

• Continuously seek opportunities to improve environmental performance by setting objectives, monitoring progress, and adjusting practices.

• Apply a waste hierarchy approach: reduce, reuse, and recycle before disposal.

• Limit printing to what is strictly necessary and prefer digital documents, online confirmations, and electronic communication.

• Use recycled paper where printing is unavoidable.

• Avoid toxic or hazardous substances and minimize light, noise, soil, water, and air pollution connected with company activities.

• Promote environmental responsibility among collaborators, suppliers, and travellers.

Carbon management

GoAlbania SHPK is aware of the carbon impact of tourism and seeks to reduce emissions linked to trips and operations through practical choices before, during, and after travel.

• Reduce unnecessary travel where communication can be handled by phone, email, or video call.

• Encourage longer stays and fewer unnecessary transfers where this improves the environmental balance of an itinerary.

• Promote lower-impact travel options such as walking, cycling, public transport, and other low-carbon mobility where safe, suitable, and available.

• Monitor major emission sources related to itineraries and seek reductions where practical.

• Consider carbon impacts when choosing transport providers, routes, group sizes, and activity design.

Land use

GoAlbania SHPK respects local land-use laws, community interests, cultural resources, and natural resources in its business activities. When selecting accommodations, activities, protected areas, or routes, the company favours practices that respect local landscapes, ecosystems, community access, and cultural heritage.

General suppliers policy

GoAlbania SHPK is committed to sourcing products and services responsibly and avoiding harmful impacts on society, culture, and nature. The company prefers to work with suppliers and partners who share its commitment to responsible tourism.

• Prefer locally owned or locally managed suppliers, guides, drivers, accommodations, artisans, and community actors.

• Prefer suppliers that use local and seasonal products and services and benefit local communities by hiring locally and equitably.

• Prefer partners with a written sustainability statement, a responsible business policy, fair-trade practices, or recognized sustainability certification where available.

• Collaborate with suppliers to improve sustainability performance and encourage ongoing learning.

• Maintain open lines of communication with suppliers and partners and encourage feedback at any time, especially on sustainability topics.

Supplier Code of Conduct

GoAlbania SHPK expects suppliers and partners to adhere to a Code of Conduct that includes the following responsible business practices:

• Complying with all applicable local, regional, national, and international regulations.

• Respecting human rights, labour rights, children's rights, and women's rights.

• Committing to fair employment conditions and safe working practices.

• Following anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-extortion, and anti-discrimination policies.

Protecting children from sexual exploitation in tourism.

• Protecting the environment, biodiversity, wildlife, natural resources, and cultural heritage.

• Acting in the best interests of local communities and respecting community consent.

• Protecting the interests and reputation of GoAlbania SHPK through responsible conduct.

GoAlbania SHPK may immediately terminate cooperation with suppliers that violate this policy or the Code of Conduct, specifically through acts of bribery, corruption, discrimination, forced labour, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, or serious harm to people, culture, wildlife, or the environment.

Product development and destination policy

GoAlbania SHPK considers sustainability when selecting destinations and developing products. The company seeks to create social and environmental benefits in the places it visits, avoid over-tourism, and encourage visitor dispersion to lesser-known areas when welcomed by local communities.

GoAlbania SHPK does not allow the purchase of souvenirs containing threatened flora and fauna species, any illegally obtained historic or archaeological artefacts, drugs or illegal substances, and abides by local and international laws in place to prevent this.

• Promote secondary or lesser-known tourist areas where appropriate and respectful.

• Avoid destinations, suppliers, or practices with unresolved or serious human rights concerns.

• Respect carrying capacity and avoid unnecessary pressure on fragile ecosystems or communities.

• Design experiences that support local economies, cultural exchange, and environmental stewardship.

• Do not allow the purchase of souvenirs containing threatened flora or fauna, illegally obtained historic or archaeological artefacts, drugs, illegal substances, or any item prohibited by local or international law.

Local partnerships and economic development

GoAlbania SHPK builds long-term partnerships with local actors such as guides, drivers, artisans, accommodation providers, restaurants, museums, associations, and communities. These partnerships help ensure that the economic benefits of travel are reinvested in local development.

• Encourage travellers to consume locally and support locally managed accommodations and activities.

• Prioritize activities that highlight local know-how, food traditions, crafts, and community initiatives.

• Encourage responsible shopping and the purchase of ethical and authentic souvenirs produced locally.

• Support traditional arts, culture, and community-based experiences whenever appropriate.

Immersion and solidarity activities

GoAlbania SHPK designs trips that encourage authentic interaction between travellers and residents. Immersion activities and solidarity initiatives are developed in collaboration with local actors and aim to respond to needs identified by communities.

• Promote dialogue, exchange of perspectives, and mutual understanding rather than short-term assistance disconnected from local priorities.

• Create opportunities for respectful meetings with local associations and community initiatives.

• Use a collaborative approach involving suppliers, travellers, and local communities.

• Ensure solidarity activities are based on equity, mutual discovery, and respect for local dignity and autonomy.

Transport

When selecting transport for guests and business-related travel, GoAlbania SHPK chooses the most environmentally responsible option available, while considering distance, price, route, safety, comfort, and reliability.

• Prefer ground transport over air transport for short-haul destinations where practical.

• Avoid unnecessary in-destination flights.

• Use public transport options where suitable for the itinerary and guest needs.

Promote walking, cycling, public transport, and other low-impact mobility for short-distance travel, including suitable routes in the Albanian Alps.

• Use appropriate vehicle sizes for group sizes and prefer efficient vehicles where available.

• Encourage transport partners to apply eco-driving techniques and reduce unnecessary idling.

Accommodations

GoAlbania SHPK works with accommodations that adhere to the company's Code of Conduct and takes sustainability into account during the selection process.

• Prefer local accommodations that support the local economy, respect sustainability standards, and preserve cultural traditions.

• Assess accommodation practices related to waste, water, energy, fair employment, child protection, and local purchasing.

• Prefer accommodations that respect land use and highlight local architecture, customs, and traditions in a respectful way.

• Avoid accommodation providers connected to exploitation, discrimination, serious labour concerns, or environmental harm.

Activities and excursions

All activities and excursions operated by or on behalf of GoAlbania SHPK must respect local customs, cultural integrity, natural resources, communities, and guest safety.

• Do not offer excursions that harm people, wildlife, the environment, cultural heritage, or natural resources such as water and energy.

• Give preference to excursions and activities that benefit local communities, respect animal welfare, and support environmental protection.

• Use clear environmental and cultural guidelines for sensitive excursions and communicate them to guests, guides, and suppliers.

• Obtain community consent where visits may affect local routines, privacy, or cultural practices.

Animal welfare

GoAlbania SHPK excludes activities involving animal exploitation and does not participate in activities involving the trade, mistreatment, or performance of animals. The company works with partners that share responsible animal welfare values.

Protected areas and biodiversity

GoAlbania SHPK respects local conservation rules and gives preference to protected areas and reserves managed responsibly at local level. The company raises awareness among guests about staying on trails, respecting environmental rules, and avoiding disturbance to wildlife and habitats. Small groups and individual travel are favoured where they help reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems.

Cultural and historical heritage

GoAlbania SHPK promotes Albania's cultural heritage through respectful activities that highlight traditional know-how and local identity, such as kilim workshops, Gliko making, gastronomy, viticulture, traditional raki production, museums, and archaeological sites. These experiences help travellers understand Albania's history, arts, and local cultures while contributing to heritage preservation.

Tour leaders, local representatives, and guides

GoAlbania SHPK works with qualified local guides, drivers, porters, tour leaders, and representatives where needed. The company expects safe and fair working conditions and the same standards from suppliers who hire local staff on its behalf.

• Prefer qualified local guides and representatives who understand the socio-cultural and environmental context of the destination.

• Ensure guides communicate appropriate visitor behaviour to travellers.

Encourage guides and suppliers to learn about sustainability topics, cultural sensitivity, child protection, and environmental stewardship.

• Ensure the critical issue of sexual exploitation of children in tourism is addressed through awareness and zero tolerance.

Waste management

Waste management is a priority in the organization of GoAlbania SHPK trips. The company works with local accommodation and service partners to reduce single-use plastics, improve waste practices, and encourage travellers to reduce avoidable waste.

• Promote alternatives to single-use products, including reusable water bottles and water-filter solutions where appropriate.

• Encourage travellers to bring reusable bottles and limit products that generate unnecessary waste.

• Recommend solid hygiene products where practical to reduce packaging waste.

• Ask travellers to apply ecological practices throughout their stay and support the company's broader zero-waste objective.

Donation policy

GoAlbania SHPK communicates a clear donation policy to travellers. The company encourages solidarity that respects the local economy, avoids dependency, and supports locally identified priorities. Travellers are encouraged to think carefully about how to help, and to favour local purchasing when this provides logistical, economic, and environmental benefits.

Purchasing policy

GoAlbania SHPK integrates environmental and social criteria into purchasing decisions.

• Evaluate the necessity of each purchase and prioritize reduction and reuse.

• Choose sustainable alternatives when practical.

• Prefer local suppliers or suppliers engaged in sustainability, certification, or fair-trade practices where available.

• Optimize orders to reduce transport impact and promote the reuse of packaging.

• Limit printing and use recycled paper when printing is necessary.

Destinations and local communities

GoAlbania SHPK is committed to making a positive contribution to the destinations where it operates.

• Source locally and responsibly and support local arts, culture, food, and traditional knowledge.

• Encourage guests to shop responsibly and educate them about illegal, prohibited, or harmful souvenirs.

• Collaborate with local tourism stakeholders, including local government, tourism businesses, community groups, and cultural actors, to support sustainable tourism development where possible.

• Respect and advocate for human rights, including children's rights, women's rights, labour rights, inclusion, and land rights.

• Ensure natural resources remain intact and educate guests about responsible visitor behaviour.

Social responsibility, inclusion, and child protection

As a responsible tourism actor, GoAlbania SHPK ensures that its actions respect local and international human rights standards. The company condemns all forms of exploitation, especially sexual exploitation, and encourages travellers, guides, and suppliers to report any suspicion of such practices.

• Promote gender equality and the rights of women in the regions visited.

• Consider inclusion and disability-related needs in human resources and trip design where possible.

• Encourage suppliers and travellers to respect all identities, communities, and forms of diversity.

• Do not employ children aged 14 or younger to perform work normally undertaken by adults. Where young people work in accordance with law, the company respects national regulations and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, whichever provides the greatest protection, incorporating the exceptions under ILO Convention 138.

Customer communication and protection

Privacy

Customer protection is a priority. GoAlbania SHPK maintains privacy practices designed to ensure legal compliance, protect customer data, and make clear how customer information is used.

Marketing and communication

GoAlbania SHPK strives to be truthful in all communications. The company offers products and services that match its claims and honours explicit and implicit commitments and promises.

GoAlbania SHPK ensures that no marketing or advertising document, statement, or other publication contains misleading information, over-advertises, or under-delivers. The company guarantees that all staff are aware of, and ensure, that what is offered can be delivered to clients with ease.

• Avoid greenwashing and ensure sustainability claims are accurate and supportable.

• Use inclusive and representative marketing where possible.

• Take cultural, religious, and ethnic sensitivities into account.

• Ensure marketing and advertising do not mislead, over-advertise, or under-deliver.

• Ensure staff, guides, and partners understand what has been promised to travellers and can deliver it responsibly.

Sustainability communication

Customers are informed about the social and environmental impact of their journey and about the sustainable choices they can make. Communication may include information on certified or responsible accommodations, activities that benefit local communities and environmental protection, responsible shopping, illegal souvenirs, waste reduction, respectful behaviour, and lower-impact transport options.

Customer experience

GoAlbania SHPK aims for all customer experiences to be positive and follows health, safety, marketing, and excursion standards to support customer satisfaction. These standards cover topics including health and safety, emergency procedures, privacy, group numbers, transport, shopping, sexual exploitation, children in tourism, satisfaction, and complaints.

GoAlbania SHPK maintains open lines of communication with customers and encourages feedback at any time and on any topic, especially sustainability.

Monitoring and continuous improvement

GoAlbania SHPK is committed to continuously evaluating the impact of its activities to ensure that practices remain aligned with sustainable tourism principles.

• Analyse feedback from travellers and local communities to improve trips.

• Follow up with partners and suppliers to verify that they respect the company's sustainability criteria.

• Conduct field visits where practical to assess ethical, social, and environmental standards.

• Monitor whether supplier practices affect essential services such as food, water, energy, health, local environments, community wellbeing, or children's rights.

• Keep watch on sustainable and solidarity tourism practices from other tour operators to enrich the company's approach.

• Organize regular exchanges with stakeholders to identify improvement areas and adapt practices to changes in responsible tourism.

Contact / Responsible person

All staff and collaborators are responsible for the ownership, promotion, and implementation of this sustainability policy within their respective areas of work.