If Only, Responsible Travel
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As we actively progress towards sustainability within our business, we extend this ethos by educating our agents and partners on the principles of responsible travel. This involves crafting compelling content that embraces sustainable initiatives, offering tips on responsible travel practices, and outlining ways to support local communities during journeys. Given that many countries depend on tourism to fortify their economies and preserve natural habitats, we aim to foster positive change at both global and local levels, cultivating a supportive and gratifying work community.

Central to our responsible travel strategy are our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Ambassadors—a dedicated team of 10 staff members fervently steering the business toward recognition as a Travelife certified travel partner by the close of 2023 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2026. They convene monthly to strategise initiatives across our four key pillars: People, Planet, Philanthropy, and Wildlife, all aligned with our chosen six UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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Travel transcends beyond mere personal enrichment or relaxation; it holds immense economic and employment value globally. Before the pandemic, travel and tourism constituted 10.3% of the global GDP (US$9.6 trillion), employed 10.3% of the global workforce (333 million), and contributed to 1 in 4 jobs worldwide. Its impact extends to fostering prosperity, generating positive social and environmental outcomes such as landscape preservation, pollution reduction, wildlife conservation, tradition preservation, and providing unique opportunities for women, minorities, and young people. In various parts of the world, tourism serves as a vital support system for local communities, eliminating the need for external fundraising or aid.

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Read more about how we are investing in and supporting each of our 4 pillars below.

People

The core vitality of our company resides in our people. As we expand and evolve as a cohesive team, our steadfast commitment lies in investing in our staff. We strive to foster an environment of support, offering comprehensive learning and development programs while nurturing a culture of respect. Our initiatives, ranging from 'Time To Talk' Sessions to weekly fitness classes, reflect our dedication to staff wellness and promoting healthy lifestyles.

This approach seamlessly aligns with our pursuit of the Good Health UN Goal. Moreover, our endeavours to provide opportunities for learning, open communication, and robust support systems also align with the Gender Equality UN Goal. We facilitate this through employee surveys, volunteer days, flexible working arrangements, and ensuring a real living wage for all our staff.

People

Planet

As connoisseurs of luxury travel, we understand that appreciating the marvels of the world entails a responsibility to safeguard them. Committed to preserving the planet for future generations, we have undertaken the pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2026. In alignment with our Climate Action UN Goal, we have implemented a set of 12 new initiatives across our business aimed at mitigating our carbon footprint.

These initiatives encompass the establishment of a low-energy-use office environment, achieving a substantial 57% reduction in waste, and conducting comprehensive surveys of our portfolio of hotels to assess and enhance their sustainability practices and accreditation programs.

Planet

Philanthropy

Committed to cultivating and reinforcing a network of partnerships aligned with our Goals, we annually contribute to and invest in causes at local, national, and international levels. Through staff-selected charities such as Refuweegee and the Barbados Sea Turtles Project, along with a dedicated Ukraine refugee fundraiser in March 2022, we have successfully raised over £10,000. Our objective is to organise a minimum of four fundraising activities each year, promoting active participation from our staff who are encouraged to utilise their volunteer day.

Philanthropy

Wildlife

At If Only, we champion gratifying and meaningful experiences, emphasizing positivity for all. Our commitment to elevated welfare standards is unwavering, and we've crafted a wildlife policy in harmony with ABTA guidelines and our Life On Land and Life Below Water UN Goals. We adamantly discourage the exploitation of our fellow inhabitants on this planet and collaborate with trusted destination contacts to enforce audits that protect wildlife.

We strive to inspire our agents and their clients to opt for responsible experiences, be it Dolphin Tracking, participating in beach clean-ups, or safely observing endangered animals.

Wildlife