Sustainability Policy

Sustainability Policy

Purpose

Our sustainability policy is a crucial step in maintaining and advancing the company’s commitment to responsible business practices. As part of the Travelife Certification process, this not only ensures compliance with the latest standards but also demonstrates our company’s ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic sustainability. The Travelife Certification is an internationally recognized certification that encourages businesses in the travel and tourism industry to operate more sustainably. By updating our sustainability policy, we are aligning our operations with Comprehensive criteria, which cover environmental management, fair business practices, and social inclusion. This introduction will guide you through the key aspects of updating our sustainability policy, including how we are integrating the latest best practices, addressing emerging challenges, and engaging stakeholders in the process. Ultimately, our sustainability policy will serve as a foundation for continuous improvement, helping VeryValletta to meet the expectations of the Travelife Certification and contribute to a more sustainable future.2

1. Training & Education

• VeryValletta will provide a variety of training opportunities for its internal personnel so they can practice what is being taught when it comes to selecting the best practice with guests.
• VeryValletta staff has been engaged in basic training via the Travelife
  certification. Global Green Events Ltd. has and will conduct thorough training to support the implementation of the strategy and policy.
• VeryValletta will start the entire Travelife certification process in order to increase its credibility, receive more training, and receive more assistance. from the fundamentals through to complete certification.
• An internal sustainability coordinator has been assigned to oversee the implementation of all initiatives and the proper recording of data.
• VeryValletta will receive training to learn about carbon foot printing as a way to track and document impact, enabling the creation of an annual tracking report.
• The internal team, as well as visitors and clients, will continue to benefit from ongoing training on sustainability practices and current offerings in the sustainability area.
• Most recently the VeryValletta team was involved with a 3 day training with Ritz- Carlton Yacht Collection and with Global Green Events. VeryValetta has also participated in workshops and seminars on related topics with include collaborations with the Valletta Cruise Port Terminal
  and the Malta International Airport.
• Staff at VeryValletta, which includes all employees and upper management are involved with Travelife basic training and tourist guides who are engaged from a third party company will also be undergoing basic training.
• VeryValletta will be trained in health and safety. By the end of this year, the entire team will be certified in First-Aid.
• In order to start and inspire change throughout the value chain, this education and training will subsequently be expanded out into the supplier chain, among visitors, and among clients.

2. Local Communities

• VeryValletta wants to put an emphasis on aiding local communities by promoting local crafts people to light local start-up businesses and artists in bringing their services to light to visitors. limiting the use of chain suppliers and, whenever possible, procuring goods and services locally.
• The secondary focus is on minimising effects on neighbourhood communities through collective activities and locations prior to providing a service. We take into account the effects on the neighbourhood and involving the neighborhood in the planning process while offering the communities the chance to directly profit from our economic activities.
• VeryValletta retains the right to immediately terminate a contracted
  arrangement if it is determined that it will compromise the integrity of the community’s access to vital resources, vital services, a means of subsistence, and vital sites.
• VeryValletta has recently collaborated with P&O cruises to organise two beach clean ups on our islands with a local NGO, Coast is Clear.
• VeryValletta is a regular contributor to Inspire Malta, an NGO assisting persons with disability.
• VeryValletta supports recycling & upcycling initiatives called vintage exchange in our sister island, Gozo. Last year it contributed to the purchase of sewing machines which are being used to empower migrants.
• VeryValletta sponsored the bee-re-colonization project run by the NGO, Friends of the Earth.

3. INTERNAL MANAGEMENT: SOCIAL POLICY & HUMAN RIGHTS

• We are aware that our greatest resource for providing our guests with memorable travel experiences is our workforce. VeryValletta upholds a transparent human resource policy to guarantee: adherence to the law in all respects. A pleasant, healthy and secure workplace as well as a fair contract that includes fair terms for payment, taking part in the planning for sustainability inclusion and equal opportunity for all workers is ensured, especially in terms of pay, promotions, benefit distribution and possibilities for professional development.
• VeryValletta pledges to use local vendors who support its sustainability objectives and business model. This will allow us to offer guests goods from which our business as a whole could also profit (economically,
  environmentally, and socially). We aim to offer services that follow governmental frameworks and rules, compliance is a crucial component of products and services.
• VeryValletta, embraces inclusivity & diversity. No matter an individual’s gender or sexual orientation, race, national origin, marital status age or religion. All of our workers and contractors will receive fair and equal pay
  for similar work and comparable work. This is a concept we are devoted to.
• We are dedicated to promoting a positive working environment that is safe, healthy and inclusive, in which all employees are able to accomplish their responsibilities and realize their potential.
• We encourage open communication in our office environment and assure that all discussions will be handled with the utmost professionalism and
  confidentiality.
• VeryValletta has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of forced labour, human trafficking and/or any other violation of child’s rights as well as acts of bribery, corruption, discrimination and human rights. Additionally, we expect this dedication from allsuppliers and partners.
• When national law is insufficient, our company will abide by international standards like the two ILO conventions, the Minimum Age Convention No. 138 and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182 in addition to the minimum age provisions of national labour laws and regulations. Moreover, we state that we hire only people who are at least 18 years of age.

4. OVERALL ENVIRONEMENT

• The use of different vehicle types will be a focus in terms
  of transportation, with an emphasis on using electric
  cars and providing shared transportation whenever
  possible, alternative fuels, and taking trip lengths into
  account. Walking, bicycling, and other modes of
  transportation will be preferred when offering
  personalised tours.
• Whenever possible, only glass bottles will be used for
  private events, and every guest will be provided with a
  reusable water bottle whenever and wherever it is
  practical/ feasible. Together with this, efforts will be
  made to limit the usage of single-use plastic bottles at
  events whenever possible.
• The mentality in our offices will be governed by an
  internal sustainability policy that will provide
  instructions on how to handle materials and systems in
  the most effective manner. This includes carbon
  footprint awareness, trash reduction and management,
  and plastic reduction. Such topics are covered through
  regular information session organized in our offices by
  our Sustainable Coordinator.
• Digital alternatives will be used both inside the office and
  on the job site, reducing the overall consumption of
  paper. Customers will receive tickets and tour details
  electronically or through apps, and custom signage will
  be made for each tourism season that can be reused.
• Efforts are being made to invest in training and
  education, and solutions to offset current carbon
  footprint. Currently, 20Twenty is tracking it’s GHG
  emissions via CARMACAL. The company is undergoing
  yearly discussions on how these GHG levels can be
  reduced.
• Programs and event schedules will be created taking into
  account environmental consequences, giving local events
  and venues priority where possible.
• Contracts between direct suppliers & 20Twenty are in the
  drafting stages, to not only solidify the relationship
  between our trusted suppliers but to ensure that our
  suppliers values align with ours. The company strives to
  adhere to the best sustainable practice available,
  especially when organizing tours and events.

5. PROCUREMENT PRACTICES & SUPPLIER ASSESSMENT

• Local influence, and fresh seasonal, fresh food will be
  used to create menus and influence caterer selection
  (including fruit, vegetables, fish, poultry, and meat).
• Locally supplied products will be given preference
  throughout the whole procurement process, favouring
  smaller, more established companies over global
  corporations whenever possible.
• Principals will be asked to support large project
  proposals to our local communities, giving back to the
  local communities through our contacts.
• Choose lodging and hotels that are “green” as a
  priority, that have their own sustainability policies, and
  are close to the activity (e.g., port, venue, conference
  centre). The supplier chain will be encouraged to follow
  suit by 20Twenty.
• 20Twenty partners with locally owned and run
  businesses, with a focus on small businesses, in order
  to support the economic growth and local prosperity of
  the destination. The company ensures that all direct
  suppliers abide by Maltese law, which makes underage
  labour and sexual exploitation illegal.
• Overall supplier evaluations will take place, and a
  preferred supplier list will be developed based on the
  sustainability—both socially and environmentally—and
  values—of each supplier. GSTC-recognized partners and
  suppliers would be given preference.
• Yearly contributions will be made to deserving
  neighbourhood organisations.
• The provider denounces the exploitation of children at
  the locations and amenities of subcontracted lodging.
  If the supplier fails to take reasonable steps to prevent
  and/or end the sexual exploitation of children within
  the direct supply chain, 20Twenty will terminate the
  contract (e.g., accommodations and excursions).
• The company neither directly nor indirectly contracts
  with facilities that use forced labour or that use
  youngsters to carry out tasks that are typically done by
  adults. In compliance with the UN Convention on the
  Rights of the Child and/or the ILO Convention 138,
  there are particular working hours and conditions for
  minors (under 14) employed by the company.

7. Local Communities

• Very Valletta aims to have a focus on supporting local communities, by promoting local artisans and helping local artists and local start-up companies to offer their services to guests. Limiting the use of chain suppliers and sourcing product and services locally, wherever possible.
• The secondary focus is regarding reducing and minimising impacts on local communities through group activities and locations. Keeping in mind the impact on the local community prior to offering a service and including the community at the planning stage. Respecting the communities in which it operates, whilst giving them the opportunity to directly benefit from our economic activity.
• If a contracted accommodation has been found to jeopardise the integrity of and the local community’s access to essential resources, essential services, access to livelihood, and access to important sites, Very Valletta reserves the right to terminate the contract without warning.

Very Valletta has an overall aim of positively impacting Malta as a sustainable destination, focusing on the two destinations Valletta and Gozo. Supporting them to become two of the most sustainable destinations through innovation and operational approach.