CELEBRATING ACHIEVING TRAVELIFE PARTNER LEVEL IN SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES
We are excited to share news that Secret Paradise Maldives has been awarded the Travelife Partner level. This industry award recognizes our long-term efforts in sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Achieving this milestone signifies our compliance with over 100 criteria related to office management, product range, international business partners, customer information, and tour operations.
Travelife is a globally recognized accolade presented to tour operators who demonstrate exceptional performance in managing their environmental and social impacts responsibly. It adheres to the ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility themes, which include environment, biodiversity, human rights, and labor relations
TRAVELIFE FOR TOUR OPERATORS & TRAVEL AGENTS
Travelife is the leading international sustainability certification for the travel sector. More than 35 national travel associations are promoting the scheme to their members including, KATO, the Kenyan Association of Tour operators, TATO, the Tanzanian Association of Tour Operators, ABTA, The British Travel Association, PATA, the Pacific Asian Travel Association and FTT in South Africa.
Travelife is a certification system, dedicated to achieving sustainable practices within the tourism industry. It provides companies with realistic sustainability goals, tools and solutions to implement positive change within their businesses and supply chains. Travelife is managed by ABTA – The Travel Association in the UK – and by ECEAT Projects – a not-for-profit organisation based in The Netherlands.
The scheme provides online training and practical tools for sustainability management and certification. The training and online tools are suitable for tour operators and travel agencies of any size and cover all management aspects of the travel company business including office operations, the supply chain, destinations and consumers.
Mr. Naut Kusters, Manager Travelife for Tour Operators, expressed his excitement about our achievement, stating, “I am delighted to see that sustainability in the tour operator sector is obtaining momentum. The Partner award of Secret Paradise will inspire other companies in the Maldives to follow the same path.”
A TEAM EFFORT IN ACHIEVING PARTNER LEVEL STATUS
Achieving Travelife Partner level has been a remarkable team effort, delivered over the past 18 months. Our journey has involved implementing new measures, policies, and processes, as well as adapting our current practices and policies to meet the stringent criteria required for this accolade. Each aspect of the Travelife Partner criteria has required us to submit tangible evidence of the actions we have taken or the process and policies we have in place.
Each member of our team has played a vital role in this achievement and have engaged in comprehensive training sessions to understand, apply and update our sustainable practices. A special shout out to Rumey and Kamey, who have worked diligently to develop and structure new policies and processes in collaboration with Ruth. This collective commitment and dedication continue to be instrumental in embedding sustainability into every aspect of our business and demonstrates that our team are united in our efforts to operate and deliver meaningful, purposeful experiences.
Co-Founder Ruth Franklin shared her thoughts on this achievement: “Achieving Travelife Partner Level is a further milestone that affirms our ongoing commitment to delivering responsible travel experiences. We take immense pride in championing sustainable practices in the Maldives and value the support of our NGO and marine organization partners, as well as the local communities who welcome us and our guests to their islands. Our hope is that we inspire our partners, guests, and the tourism industry at large, showcasing that any business, regardless of its size, can make a positive impact.”
OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
Secret Paradise Maldives’ sustainability initiatives encompass a wide range of practices both operationally and within our locally led tours and cruises. With a strong focus on people development, local community engagement, and guest education, people have been at the heart of our business since 2012. Collaborating with local NGOs and marine organizations, we promotes positive marine life encounters by following respective marine life codes of conduct, ensuring minimal disturbance to marine life, and providing opportunities for guests to participate in citizen science. Hands-on, positive impact experiences contribute to conservation efforts, with guests involved in data capture, beach cleans, coral reef rehabilitation, and tree planting.
Secret Paradise tours also include experiences that immerse guests in local culture, traditions, and daily life, fostering respect and understanding for the Maldivian way of life. Guests are engaged in discussions about the environmental impact of tourism, including climate change, its impact on the Maldives, and ways they can travel more sustainably. We invite our guests to absorb, engage, and explore, leaving the Maldives having trodden lightly on its environment and contributed in a meaningful way.
WHAT NEXT ON OUR SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY?
We are committed to continue our sustainability journey and our next focus is to achieve Travelife Certified. This will include further mandatory criteria to deliver, an online audit and a final onsite audit, completed by an independent auditor. Our objective is to achieve certification by the end of 2026.
In the meantime we will continue to advocate for sustainable travel and tourism practices, work closely with our local partners and engage our guests, inspiring them to embrace responsible travel practices. Together, we can ensure a positive impact on the Maldives’ environment and local communities.
For more information about Secret Paradise and our sustainability initiatives, please visit our Annual Impact Reports.
