At Sail la Vie, we recognize our role in fostering sustainable tourism in the maritime and travel sectors. We are committed to sustainability in every aspect of our operations, aiming to lead by example and inspire our clients, partners, and stakeholders to do the same. Our sustainability policy is rooted in our passion for the sea, our love for sailing, and our responsibility to protect the oceans and coastal communities for future generations.

1. Sustainability & Compliance
We are committed to implementing sustainable practices through the following actions:

• Appoint a dedicated sustainability coordinator within our team.
• Develop and communicate a sustainability mission statement that emphasizes ocean conservation and eco-friendly sailing to our customers, partners, and suppliers.
• Maintain an accessible, written sustainability policy focused on minimizing negative environmental, social, and economic impacts related to sailing, ocean health, and coastal communities.
• Actively participate in external sustainability forums, particularly those focused on maritime issues and conservation.
• Regularly assess our company’s sustainability performance with an emphasis on reducing our ecological footprint on the seas.
• Set clear sustainability targets related to reducing emissions from sailing operations, waste management, and marine preservation.
• Monitor progress towards our goals and ensure full transparency by publicly reporting our initiatives.
• Ensure all staff understand and are committed to implementing our sustainability policy in every aspect of our sailing operations.
• Comply with all relevant legislation and embed sustainable development principles into core business practices.
• Use our position to drive sustainability within our destination(s) by promoting and advocating for responsible tourism.

2. Workplace & Social Responsibility
We foster a positive, responsible work environment focused on social responsibility and human rights, ensuring fair and sustainable practices for our staff:

• Uphold fair and safe working conditions in all aspects of our sailing operations, with competitive wages and comprehensive benefits.
• Promote diversity, inclusion, and equal access to opportunities within our team.
• Ensure full compliance with national labor laws and international human rights standards.
• Provide opportunities for employees to contribute ideas that support sustainability, particularly in our sailing services and community engagement.
• Respect our employees, their diversity, and advance their wellbeing wherever possible.
• Provide information, training, and support to colleagues and external partners to engage them towards sustainability.

3. Environment & Community
We prioritize environmental responsibility and engage with local communities to ensure our sailing operations have minimal negative impacts:

• Reduce our use of disposable materials, emphasizing sustainable and eco-friendly packaging for all onboard services.
• Cut energy consumption by using energy-efficient equipment, including green energy sources for onshore facilities, and reducing emissions from our sailing operations.
• Implement water-saving measures and work towards sustainable water sourcing for our activities.
• Actively engage in recycling and waste reduction practices during all our sailing events and tours.
• Participate in and organize beach cleanups, removing waste from coastal areas to protect marine life.
• Support the protection and preservation of local environmental and cultural heritage through responsible tourism practices.
• Ensure that tourism benefits local coastal communities while supporting their economic development sustainably.
• Optimize our social impact to enhance local livelihoods and prevent tourism leakages.

4. Sustainable Partnerships
We collaborate with partners who share our sustainability vision, ensuring that our entire supply chain works towards a common goal. This includes working with organizations like Green Sail and SeaKeepers, whose efforts in promoting eco-friendly maritime practices a nd protecting marine ecosystems align with our own mission.

• Work only with partners who demonstrate commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
• Keep a list of the sustainability practices of partner accommodations and agents.
• Raise awareness and provide training on sustainable practices for partners.
• Include sustainability clauses in contracts with partners and regularly evaluate their sustainability performance.
• Drive positive change within our supply chain, monitor their sustainable practices, share best practices, and organize training.

5. Green Transport
We strive to minimize the environmental impact of transportation in our sailing operations:

• Select the most sustainable transport options for guests traveling to and from sailing destinations, considering environmental impact and comfort.
• Encourage the use of public transport or low-emission vehicles for guest transfers to and from the coast.
• Promote eco-friendly travel options in our sailing packages, such as carbon-neutral tours and activities that benefit marine conservation.

6. Responsible Activities
We ensure that all excursions and activities offered by Sail la Vie respect the environment, wildlife, and local cultures:

• Carefully select activities that minimize environmental impact, focusing on those that protect marine life, including whale and dolphin watching and eco-sailing tours.
• Educate guests on responsible behavior to help preserve marine ecosystems and coastal environments.
• Promote activities that directly contribute to local communities, supporting sustainable tourism that benefits both nature and people.
• Ensure that travels we organize do not have adverse effects on the environment or society, especially sensitive activities that may bring travelers into contact with animals, children, or remote communities.

7. Our Tour Leaders & Local Guides
Our team is essential in ensuring that our sustainability mission is realized on the ground:

• Hire local guides and staff to support the local economy and provide authentic, sustainable experiences.
• Ensure that all tour leaders and staff are regularly trained in sustainability practices, including marine conservation, responsible tourism, and cultural sensitivity.
• Empower our tour leaders to educate guests on ocean preservation, the importance of reducing marine pollution, and respecting local coastal customs.
• Provide sustainable information about our products to encourage our clients to opt for sustainable travel options.

8. Sustainable Destinations
We carefully select sailing destinations based on their sustainability and their ability to support responsible tourism:

• Prioritize destinations that focus on sustainable development and conservation, and that minimize the environmental impact of tourism activities.
• Work with local communities and authorities to ensure that tourism, especially sailing, benefits the local economy while preserving the natural and cultural heritage of coastal areas.
• Explore lesser-known coastal destinations to reduce the pressure of overtourism on popular regions, ensuring the long-term health of marine environments.
• Prefer to work with locally owned businesses reflecting local cultures (hotels, lodges, restaurants, handicraft outlets, arts, and culture centers).
• Promote Responsible Tourism in our industry and to stakeholders we engage with in our destination(s).

9. Transparency & Communication
To ensure full transparency and engagement in our sustainability efforts:

• We communicate on our achievements against our sustainable goals, internally and externally through thorough reporting at least once a year.
• We share best practices and raise awareness on sustainability among our teams and partners.
• We give back to communities by supporting projects addressing local development challenges, encouraging fair employment opportunities, and advancing wellbeing.

At Sail la Vie, we believe that sailing is not only a means of transportation but also a way to connect with nature, explore the beauty of the seas, and protect it for future generations. Our sustainability policy reflects our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, responsible tourism, and the preservation of our oceans and marine ecosystems. Through our actions, we aim to inspire our community to embrace sustainability and work together to protect the world’s most precious resource: the sea.