Sustainability Policy
At Ashtar Tours International, we are committed to promoting responsible practices in all aspects of our business. Our sustainability policy is carefully designed to ensure the highest environmental management standards, social responsibility, and ethical conduct in our operations.
Below, we outline our commitments and the measures we will take to fulfill them:
1. INTERNAL MANAGEMENT & LEGAL COMPLIANCE:
We commit to sustainable internal management by having a clear written, and well-communicated social policy that includes the following principles:
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Business conduct and labor conditions
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We implement an internal company system based on the provisions and laws of the Jordanian Ministry of Labor, which is communicated to all employees.
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Employment contracts are clear for all employees, guaranteeing their rights and outlining their duties and obligations, including job descriptions, annual leave, benefits, and wages. We ensure employees are free to terminate their contracts with a one month's notice without penalties.
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We obey national requirements concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment;
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We guarantee a safe and comfortable working environment for all employees by providing first aid kits and fire extinguishers in the workplace and training employees in first aid and fire extinguisher usage.
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We Provide a system to measure employee satisfaction and a mechanism for submitting complaints.
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We adhere to national regulations regarding the minimum age for employment and support fair labor practices and worker rights protection in line with Jordanian labor laws.
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We offer comprehensive health insurance to our employees as an additional benefit.
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Purchasing​
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We prioritize purchasing sustainable goods and services, including office supplies, catering materials, gifts, and office necessities.
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We collaborate with suppliers who uphold fair labor practices and contribute positively to the well-being of local communities.
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We prioritize working with local suppliers who follow sustainable and ethical practices in their production methods.
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We prioritize purchasing energy-efficient equipment, considering cost, quality, and environmental impact.
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We avoid products that threaten biodiversity or involve materials sourced from endangered species or sensitive areas.
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We regularly assess our suppliers’ sustainability practices
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We select products and services demonstrating strong energy efficiency throughout their entire lifecycle.
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We give preference to items that carry recognized eco-labels and certifications that meet high sustainability standards.
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We purchase frequently used items in bulk to reduce waste and seek reusable alternatives wherever possible.
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We prioritize the purchase of smart packaging choices (environment-friendly).
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Environment Protection
- Energy and Water management
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We monitor and reduce energy consumption to minimize our environmental footprint.
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We focus on reducing energy use by adopting efficient technologies and practices. Lights, electronics, and equipment are turned off when not in use. Our vehicles are regularly maintained for the best fuel efficiency.
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We actively encourage use of sustainable means of transportation by replacing company cars with Hybrid / electric cars
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We minimize printing and encourage digital communication to save energy and resources.
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We plan our routes carefully to cut down on fuel consumption and reduce our carbon footprint.
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We ensure our staff and tour participants understand the importance of energy conservation and how they can help.
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We actively reduce water consumption by installing water-saving equipment in toilets
- Waste Management
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We Comply with the national legislation concerning waste disposal;
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Continually implement strategies to reduce waste across our operations by reducing the use of single-use consumables and choose more sustainable alternatives to minimize waste production.
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We choose products with recyclable or biodegradable packaging
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We reduce packaging waste by buying in bulk
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We advocate for paper-saving techniques such as double-sided printing or other paper-saving methods in our copiers and printers.
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We are committed to separating our waste and recycling paper, tin, and plastic.
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We implement measures to reduce brochure waste by using digital brochures.
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We use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products, prioritizing those with eco-label certifications when available locally.
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2. MANAGEMENT OF SUPPLY CHAIN:
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Transportation
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We choose environmentally friendly transportation options when available and offer bike and walking tours in our tour packages.
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We prefer using low-emission vehicles such as electric and hybrid cars.
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We work with transportation companies to reduce fuel consumption, lower carbon emissions, and ensure public safety for tourists.
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We collaborate with transportation companies to reduce plastic use on buses, including eliminating plastic water bottles.
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We ensure first aid kits are available on buses.
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We ensure the safety of our clients by providing first aid kits in the tourist vehicles during our trips and tours to protect the safety and well-being of our customers and employees.
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Accommodation
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We prioritize accommodations that follow sustainable practices and quality standards.
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We prefer locally owned and operated accommodations that support local community employment.
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We advocate for improved practices and aim to provide training and awareness on responsible tourism to our future partners.
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We encourage accommodations to complete sustainability surveys, focusing on key standards such as water and energy-saving initiatives, waste management, community involvement, and food and beverage service management.
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We maintain regular communication with our partners to stay updated on developments.
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We communicate our sustainability goals and requirements to contracted accommodations, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation and community well-being.
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We ensure that our accommodations respect and safeguard the rights of children, including a zero-tolerance policy of sexual exploitation or labor of children
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Tours and Activities
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We are committed to building an inventory of environmentally or culturally sensitive excursions which are offered in each destination
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We prioritize tours and activities that respect local cultures, wildlife, and the environment.
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We advise guests on appropriate behavioral standards.
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We support community tourism and locally made souvenirs.
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We don’t offer activities that harm humans, animals, plants, natural resources (e.g. water/energy), or which are socially/culturally unacceptable.”
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We are committed to hiring skilled and/or certified guides to guide our guests in sensitive cultural sites, heritage sites, or ecologically sensitive destinations;
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We refrain from offering tours that involve visiting captive wildlife and are not involved with experiences that harvest, consume, display, sell, or trade wildlife species unless it is part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilisation is sustainable and in compliance with local, national, and international law;
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We ensure that wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded in any form through our operations, except when permitted as part of regulated activities.
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We ensure that any activity involving wildlife is conducted strictly in compliance with local, national, and international laws, including conventions such as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
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We educate our clients and partners on the importance of preserving wildlife and discourage participation in activities that exploit animals or threaten biodiversity.
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We collaborate only with organizations, suppliers, and local communities that prioritize sustainable wildlife practices and conservation efforts.
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We ensure that all our suppliers respect and safeguard the rights of children, including a zero-tolerance policy of sexual exploitation or labor of children
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Tour Guides and Local Representatives
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We ensure that all our tour guides understand their the terms and conditions of their hiring
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We ensure fair and safe working conditions for all our tour guides and representatives and provide a code of conduct with transparent terms and conditions.
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We ensure that our guides at least receive a living wage that is equal to or above the legal minimum or relevant industry standard
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We prioritize local workers and reward them with fair wages in accordance with legal standards.
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We provide training to our tour guides on sustainability issues, social norms, and human rights within our local communities.
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We ask tour guides to provide detailed feedback to our office after each tour.
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We provide guides with information to share with tourists about responsible practices.
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Destinations:
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We support biodiversity conservation efforts
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We consider sustainability aspects in the selection process of new destinations and possibly offer alternative, non-mainstream destinations
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We do not allow the purchase of souvenirs containing threatened flora and fauna species, any illegally obtained historic/archaeological artefacts, drugs or illegal substances, and abide by local and international laws in place to prevent this.
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Communication with Tourists and Protection:
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We are committed to protecting our customer’s privacy by keeping the information secure and treat it with the respect it deserves:
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We are committed to ensuring that all promotional materials and marketing communications meet relevant industry standards and voluntary codes of conduct. Our practices emphasize transparency, accuracy, and ethical representation of our services. Specifically, we adhere to the following principles:
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Accuracy: All descriptions of our tours, accommodations, and services reflect what is genuinely offered and avoid exaggeration.
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Transparency: Pricing, terms, and conditions are clearly stated to avoid any potential misunderstandings.
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Ethical Representation: Visual and textual content respects cultural sensitivities and portrays destinations and communities in a responsible manner.
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Compliance: All materials are developed in alignment with applicable regulations and standards.​
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​We promote sustainable alternatives to our clients and work with local companies to offer eco-friendly transportation options (bike tours and hiking/trekking tours).
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We provide comprehensive information to tourists before, during, and after their stay in Jordan
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Provide destination information, including sustainability aspects, which is factually correct, balanced and complete
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Provide emergency contacts and responsible behavior guidelines.
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Inform the customer about sustainable alternatives concerning accommodations, excursions, package holidays and transport options, if available;
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Clearly inform (potential) direct customers about sustainability commitments and actions
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Provide clients with documented guidelines and/or codes of conduct for sensitive excursions and activities, to minimize negative visitor impact and maximize enjoyment. When possible, guidelines are developed in collaboration with relevant NGO's and the affected community;
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Inform clients about applicable legislation concerning the purchasing, sales, import and export of historic or religious artefacts and articles containing materials of threatened flora and/or fauna in the destination;
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Motivate clients to use local restaurants and shops (where appropriate);
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Inform clients on sustainable transport options in destinations, when feasible;
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Encourage clients to donate to local charity and sustainable initiatives
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Provide customers with information about commercial, sexual or any other form of exploitation and harassment, particularly of children and adolescents
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We seek feedback from tourists to improve our services and integrate sustainability into our customer satisfaction evaluations.