Sustainability Policy
1. Our commitment
At Espontáneos Travel we design and operate experiences in the Coffee Cultural Landscape, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011. We know that tourism transforms destinations. That is why we work hand in hand with the communities and the territory: farming families, artisans and local guides are part of what we offer, and we support them so that their experiences retain their authenticity and quality.
We are committed to managing our operations according to environmental, sociocultural and economic criteria, to complying with the Colombian legislation applicable to tourism service providers and with the sector's technical standards for sustainable tourism, and to continuous improvement.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all the experiences, transfers and services we design, sell or operate; to our team, guides and hosts; and to the suppliers and partner agencies we work with. We ask all of them to know it and comply with it.
It updates our 2024 Sustainability Policy and incorporates the good practices of the Good Tourism Practices Manual of Rutas del Paisaje Cultural Cafetero.
3. Environmental commitments: we care for our surroundings
Objective: to promote the proper use of water, energy and other resources, to dispose of waste correctly, and to protect and raise awareness of the destination's biodiversity and its importance.
- Water for every traveller on all tours, in their own bottle or in the one we provide, without single-use plastics.
- Reusable rain ponchos, to avoid disposable plastic ones.
- Energy saving: energy-efficient light bulbs and an internal campaign to switch off lights and unplug equipment that is not in use.
- Reusable cloth bags for shopping.
- Waste separation using the colour code: white (recyclables), black (non-recyclables) and green (organic waste).
- We work with partner accommodations and operators, and with our guides, to raise everyone's awareness of the proper use of water and energy and of the rejection of single-use plastics.
- Tree planting to offset the carbon footprint, with a certificate for agencies (the Leaving a Mark experience).
- Respect for the destination's protected areas and fragile ecosystems: páramos and frailejones, cloud forest and the wax palm, Colombia's national tree. We only use authorised trails, with groups of an appropriate size.
- We do not remove plants, animals or natural elements, and we do not feed or disturb wildlife.
4. Sociocultural commitments: we protect who we are
Objective: to support communities, associations and initiatives of small rural entrepreneurs, and to care for, conserve and promote cultural heritage.
- We encourage the purchase of local crafts and the consumption of food and products from the region.
- We advise small producers on the design and launch of their tourism products.
- We train our staff and partner suppliers in service, quality and tourism.
- We take part in community activities.
- We promote care for the coffee cultural heritage (its knowledge, its architecture, its gastronomy and its traditions) through our team, our guides and our social media, as well as responsible visits to local cultural attractions.
- We promote the region's specialty coffees and their brewing methods, with the cup profile and a brief overview of coffee culture.
- Barrier-free tourism: we design accessible experiences for people with reduced mobility, older adults and families.
- We promote respect for the communities that welcome us: we ask permission before photographing people and before taking photos in their homes and farms (see use of photos and videos).
5. Economic commitments: the value stays in the region
Objective: to develop a sustainable tourism operation, with staff from the region, working in coordination with local operators and businesses, and taking part in events and initiatives that promote and improve the quality of tourism services in the Coffee Cultural Landscape.
- We hire local people, products and services for our plans and packages.
- We pay our staff and suppliers fairly and on time.
- We offer an online catalogue of local products so that travellers can buy directly from the producer and the artisan.
6. Protection of children and adolescents
🛡️ Espontáneos Travel rejects the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adolescents (ESCNNA), in compliance with Law 679 of 2001 and Law 1336 of 2009.
- We do not offer, promote or allow any service related to sexual exploitation, human trafficking or child labour.
- We inform our team, suppliers and travellers of this commitment and require the same conduct from our partners.
- We report to the authorities any case we become aware of. If you know of one, report it to ICBF Line 141 or Line 123.
- We only publish images of minors with the written authorisation of their mother, father or legal representative.
6.1 Flora, fauna and cultural heritage
- We inform travellers, guides and suppliers that the illegal exploitation of and trade in wild flora and fauna are crimes in Colombia (Criminal Code, Law 599 of 2000), and we act to prevent them.
- Archaeological heritage belongs to the Nation and trading in it is illegal (Law 397 of 1997, General Culture Law, amended by Law 1185 of 2008). We do not buy cultural or archaeological goods or promote their sale.
7. Our stories
This is what this commitment looks like in the region:
- David is a coffee grower and a producer of specialty coffees. We connected him with a group of engineers who designed and donated an automation system that optimised the drying of his coffee.
- Juan has a coffee shop with 100% local products and Mayacert-certified coffee, and he pays the coffee grower a fair price. We hold coffee tastings there with our travellers to support that farming community.
- Doralba is an entrepreneur who opened to travellers an experience around cacao, the crop she grows on her farm. After several visits, we supported her in designing her cacao route.
- Mauricio owns a rural lodging. With our consultancy he joined the Rutas del Paisaje Cultural Cafetero portal, and we support him in designing experiences.
8. Traveller code of conduct
We invite you to travel with us responsibly:
- Bring your reusable bottle and do not leave any waste along the way.
- Do not step on or pull up frailejones, palms, orchids or other plants; do not take anything from nature.
- Do not feed the animals, and observe them from a distance.
- Follow the guide's instructions and the trail signs.
- Respect the privacy of the families who welcome you: ask permission before taking photos of people.
- Buy local products and value the work of those who make them.
- Do not buy flora, fauna or archaeological objects: trading in them is illegal.
9. Monitoring and improvement
We review this policy once a year. We set goals, record our actions (for example, trees planted, local purchases and training sessions) and share our progress with our team, partners and travellers. Your suggestions help us improve.
10. Contact
Send us your comments or suggestions: WhatsApp +57 318 720 0023 · info@espontaneostravel.com.