As a global leader in the travel industry with over 60 years history in delivering consistent value to our clients and partners, we recognise our responsibility to help shape a more sustainable future of travel. We are committed to advancing responsible travel practices that create positive impact for destinations, communities, and the environment, while continuing to deliver exceptional travel experiences.  
 
As part of dnata, we are committed to sustainability across our business and activities, including our value chain. We strive to deliver value to people, communities and economies, while minimising our environmental impact.

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<li>Learn about the destination’s history, culture, natural environment, customs, and local etiquette.</li>
<li>Pack mindfully. Remove excess packaging from items such as toiletries and bring reusable essentials where you can.</li>
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Respect local communities
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<li>Learn a handful of local words. Small gestures like saying ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in a native language will go a long way with residents.</li>
<li>Dress respectfully, especially in places of worship, rural communities, or culturally sensitive areas.</li>
<li>Always ask before taking photos of people, homes, ceremonies, or private spaces.</li>
<li>At cultural and heritage sites, follow signs, stay on marked paths, and avoid touching any monuments. Climbing, defacing, or damaging ruins, buildings, or attractions will most likely be criminal offences.</li>
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Let your spending support the destination
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<li>Prioritise locally owned businesses, community tour operators, restaurants, guides, and artisans.</li>
<li>Explore beyond your hotel so your spending reaches a wider range of local businesses.</li>
<li>Try local food. It can be fresh, memorable, and often has a lower carbon footprint because it has travelled less to reach your plate.</li>
<li>Support local conservation, cultural, or social impact initiatives where possible.</li>
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Reduce your impact
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<li>Move responsibly. Where possible, choose lower-impact transport such as walking, biking, public transport, or shared transfers.</li>
<li>Follow the 5Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle. Carry a reusable water bottle and shopping bag and avoid unnecessary single-use items.</li>
<li>Save water. In many destinations, water is a scarce resource. Reuse your towel and avoid leaving taps running.</li>
<li>Reduce energy use by turning off lights, air conditioning, chargers, and appliances when you leave your room.</li>
<li>Dispose waste responsibly and never leave litter behind for someone else — or an animal — to deal with.</li>
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Choose souvenirs with care
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<li>Avoid products made from wild animals or plants. Do not buy items made from animal skins, bones, fur, feathers, shells, coral, ivory, turtle shell, or insects. These products often contribute to wildlife exploitation and illegal trade.</li>
<li>Be cautious with “natural” or “handcrafted” claims. Words like natural, traditional, or authentic do not guarantee that an item has been sourced legally or sustainably. If in doubt, it’s best to avoid the purchase.</li>
<li>Do not collect shells, coral, stones, or plants from beaches, reefs, deserts, or protected areas. This can damage fragile ecosystems and may be prohibited.</li>
<li>Never buy cultural or archaeological artefacts. Items such as fossils, ancient objects, religious artefacts, or anything that appears historically significant should not be purchased or removed from a country.</li>
<li>Ask questions before you buy. Responsible sellers should be able to explain what an item is made from, where it comes from, and whether it can be legally exported.</li>
<li>Choose people- and planet-friendly alternatives. Support local artisans by choosing souvenirs made from sustainable materials such as textiles, wood, ceramics, recycled materials, or locally produced food products.</li>
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Put children’s wellbeing first
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<li>Children are not tourist attractions. If an interaction would not feel appropriate at home, it is probably not appropriate abroad either.</li>
<li>Avoid giving money or gifts to children who are begging. Instead, consider donating through reputable organisations that support children’s education and wellbeing.</li>
<li>Do not visit orphanages or schools as part of a tour or short-term volunteering activity. These visits can be harmful to children’s development and emotional wellbeing.</li>
<li>If you are concerned that a child is at risk, report it to a child protection hotline, local authorities, or the police.</li>
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Wildlife and animal experiences can be memorable, but the best encounters are respectful, safe, and centred on animal welfare. Look for experiences that allow animals to behave naturally and avoid activities based on forced interaction or performance.
Choose responsible zoos and captive animal venues Some zoos and captive animal venues support education and conservation, with high welfare standards. Before visiting, look for signs that the venue puts animal care first.
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<li>Observe animal condition: Animals should appear healthy, alert, and free from visible injury or distress.</li>
<li>Look at the habitat: Enclosures should be clean, spacious, enriching, and suited to the animal’s natural needs.</li>
<li>Look for privacy and choice: Animals should be able to rest, hide, or move away from visitors.</li>
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Protect working animals Some tours involve domesticated working animals such as horses, donkeys, mules, or dogs. If you choose this type of experience, look for signs that the animals are healthy, rested, and treated humanely.
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<li>Check wellbeing: Animals should appear calm, healthy, and free from signs of fear, exhaustion, limping, or distress.</li>
<li>Look at loads and equipment: Loads should be appropriate, and saddles, harnesses, and other equipment should fit well and be in good condition.</li>
<li>Look for rest, food, and water: Animals should have regular breaks, drinking water, shade or shelter, and adequate food.</li>
<li>Watch handling: Animals should be handled calmly and never shouted at, hit, forced, or made to work when unwell or tired.</li>
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Enjoy elephants from a respectful distance Responsible elephant experiences put welfare before entertainment. Choose places that allow elephants to move freely, socialise, rest, and behave naturally.
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<li>Avoid close contact: Avoid riding, bathing, feeding, hugging, or forced photo opportunities.</li>
<li>Observe behaviour: Elephants should appear calm, unforced, and able to move freely.</li>
<li>Say no to performances: Avoid shows, tricks, or activities that make elephants behave unnaturally for entertainment.</li>
</ul>
Protect wildlife on land Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is a privilege. Give animals space, reduce disturbance, and leave nature as you found it.
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<li>Keep a safe distance and never touch, feed, chase, or attempt to interact with wild animals.</li>
<li>Watch for signs of stress. If an animal changes behaviour, moves away, or becomes alert, give it more space.</li>
<li>Keep noise low and move calmly to avoid disturbing animals and habitats.</li>
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Protect marine wildlife and habitats Marine wildlife encounters can be unforgettable. Help protect ocean ecosystems by observing calmly and avoiding anything that disrupts natural behaviour.
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<li>Keep a safe distance. Never touch, chase, feed, or try to swim closer to marine animals.</li>
<li>Observe without interfering. Let animals move freely and behave naturally.</li>
<li>Follow local rules, guide advice, and wildlife-safe boating practices.</li>
<li>Protect fragile habitats by avoiding coral reefs, seagrass, and other sensitive marine environments.</li>
<li>Choose mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen and avoid ingredients such as oxybenzone where possible.</li>
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Use your voice Share your feedback and raise awareness about more sustainable ways to travel. Asking for more sustainable options and sharing constructive feedback helps create demand for better practices.

Explore eco-friendly travel options with our sustainable tourism initiatives. Find green accommodations, low-impact tours, and tips for environmentally conscious travel. Plan your next trip responsibly today!

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