Khiri gets further recognition for sustainable operations

Khiri Travel’s operations in Indonesia and Laos have been awarded Travelife Partner status following a major social and environmental audit.

Travelife certification for tour operators and travel agents comes in three stages: Engaged, Partner and Certified. Khiri Travel Indonesia and Laos are both now two-thirds of the way to full certification, while Khiri Travel Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam achieved full Travelife Certification in 2015.

Khiri Travel becomes the first company to earn Travelife Partner status in both Indonesia and Laos.

Richard Brouwer, CEO of Khiri Travel, commented; “Travelife Partner status shows a great pioneering spirit and dedication by the Khiri teams in Indonesia and Laos. Khiri Travel is committed to measurable sustainability because it boosts customer satisfaction, staff motivation and business efficiency. Khiri Laos and Indonesia will keep working towards full Travelife Certification.”

Travelife was founded with the support of ABTA in the UK and ANVR in the Netherlands in 2007 as a responsible tourism certification scheme for tour operators and hotels.

The three-stage certification process acknowledges OECD guidelines on issues including labour conditions, human rights, environmental responsibilities, biodiversity and fair business practices.

“Khiri Travel in Indonesia and Laos are on the right path. Sustainability management is about commitment and consistent sustainable business practices. This includes a tour operator’s products, how they monitor and manage their impacts, and how they support their suppliers on their road to sustainability. I expect that the lead of Khiri will be an incentive for other companies to join the route towards sustainability,” said Naut Kusters, Travelife’s general manager for tour operators and travel agents.

The Travelife standard for tour operators is also formally recognised by the UN-supported Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC).