Sustainability Policy — Green Approach Travel

At Green Approach Travel (“we”, “our”), we aim to align business growth with environmental protection, social responsibility, and high-quality experiences in Madeira. As a local DMC working mostly B2B (group programmes) and also operating guided hiking activities, we focus on practical actions that reduce impacts and strengthen local value.

1) Our commitment: responsible, safe, and local-first

We strive to:

• Protect Madeira’s natural heritage by promoting low-impact travel and responsible outdoor practices.

• Support the local economy by prioritising local suppliers, guides, and small businesses whenever possible.

• Promote respectful tourism that values local culture, communities, and traditions.

• Operate with safety and professionalism, including clear briefing, risk awareness, and responsible decision-making in the field.

2) How we design “more sustainable” programmes (B2B + groups)

When we create and operate group programmes for partners (tour operators, agencies, brands, corporates), we try to:

• Prefer local suppliers and Madeira-based teams.

• Choose experiences that avoid overcrowding (alternative time slots, less-visited areas, shoulder season suggestions).

• Encourage longer stays and deeper itineraries rather than rushed “checklist” travel.

• Build programmes that respect protected areas rules and local regulations.

• Reduce unnecessary transport where possible through smart routing and consolidated logistics.

3) Working with suppliers and partners

We collaborate with a network of accommodation, transport, activity, and service providers. We aim to work with partners who:

• follow applicable safety standards and legal requirements,

• treat staff fairly and promote decent working conditions,

• implement waste reduction and responsible resource use,

• respect nature protection rules and community standards.

We recognise that sustainability is a journey. We favour partners who show real effort and continuous improvement.

4) Guided hiking: “Leave No Trace” approach (simple rules)

On our guided hikes, we ask every participant to help us keep Madeira wild and beautiful:

• Stay on marked trails and follow the guide’s instructions.

• Carry out all litter (including tissues and food wrappers).

• Do not remove plants, rocks, or “souvenirs” from nature.

• Respect wildlife: observe, don’t feed or disturb.

• Keep noise low and respect other trail users.

• Use reusables: bring a refillable bottle when possible.

• Respect closures: if a trail is closed or conditions are unsafe, we reroute—no exceptions.

5) Reducing waste and plastics

We encourage:

• refillable water bottles, reusable bags, and minimal single-use plastics,

• digital documents where possible (less printing),

• sensible catering choices to avoid food waste (especially for group operations).

6) Water and energy awareness

Even in a green island, resources matter. We promote:

• shorter showers and mindful towel/linen use in accommodation,

• switching off lights/AC when leaving rooms,

• avoiding unnecessary vehicle idling during transfers and stops.

7) Respecting local culture and community

We ask travellers to:

• respect local customs, language, and community life,

• ask before photographing people,

• support local artisans and authentic local products,

• be mindful that “not everything is Instagrammable” if it disrupts residents or damages places.

8) Ethical travel choices

We encourage travellers and partners to avoid activities that:

• harm wildlife, exploit animals, or damage ecosystems,

• undermine basic human rights or fair labour practices,

• disrespect protected landscapes or cultural sites.

9) Safety, weather, and responsible decision-making

Nature-based travel depends on conditions. For hiking and outdoor operations:

• we monitor conditions and adapt routes/timings when needed,

• we prioritise safety over “completing the plan”,

• we brief participants on gear, behaviour, and expectations.

10) Continuous improvement

We review our practices regularly and look for realistic improvements such as:

• better supplier alignment on sustainability,

• more low-impact itineraries and alternatives to peak-time hotspots,

• improved guest briefings and group communication,

• ongoing reduction of waste and unnecessary transport.

11) Contact

If you have questions about our sustainability practices—or want help designing a more responsible Madeira programme—contact us:

Green Approach Travel
Phone: +351 966 498 111
Email: info@greenapproachtravel.com