SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023

THAILAND I VIETNAM I CHINA I JAPAN I HONG KONG I INDONESIA I SINGAPORE I CAMBODIA I MALAYSIA I MYANMAR I LAOSTABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages

Our mission

3

Our commitment to operate sustainably

4-10

Environmental reporting

11-13

In-destination achievements

14-21

Planning for 2024

22

Appendix

23-31

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 2

Destination Asia currently operates in 9 countries across Asia with 17 locally owned operational offices across the
network. We strive to run our business along ethical lines, embracing the three pillars of sustainability: economic,
social and environmental. We endeavour to maximize the positive benefits received by local communities as a resultof our presence while minimizing any negative impacts. Whenever possible, we will work with local partners andsuppliers who share our philosophy while actively monitoring their business practices, collaborating to improveeach of our travel services.
OUR MISSION

Our aim is to contribute to a sustainable society and sustainable tourism. Any activity we undertake should tread
lightly on the planet; empowering travellers and local communities to leave a beneficial impact on the surrounding
environments in which they visit or live. We will always strive to manage our resources so economic and social
needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity and biological diversity – therefore preserving theelements that make our destinations such desirable places to visit. We also work closely with our suppliers todeliver higher sustainability standards and motivate them towards more sustainable travel behaviour.

Click here to view online our full sustainability policy.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 3

OUR COMMITMENT TO OPERATE SUSTAINABLY“We take immense pride in presenting our second sustainability report, which underscores ourcontinued commitment to responsible actions and the development of policies to help guide us. At
Destination Asia, our efforts continue to involve close collaboration with partners and suppliers toheighten awareness and set the benchmark for responsible initiatives. While significant strides
have been taken, there remains a substantial amount of work ahead. We are actively engaged inmonitoring, evaluating, and implementing policies to enhance our environmental footprint. This
report offers a snapshot of our current position and outlines our intentions for making further
advancements in the upcoming year.
David Andrews
Sustainability Champion

Click here to read more online about our commitment to sustainability management.
If you have any questions regarding our code of conduct surrounding sustainable travel, please contact us at:
responsibletravel@destination-asia.com

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 4

OUR COMMITMENT TO OPERATE SUSTAINABLY

Strengthening our commitment to sustainability management and to deliver consistent sustainable business practices,
Destination Asia joined the Travelife Sustainability in Tourism Scheme in 2017 to steer its practices along a more
responsible path.
As an active member of Travelife, we must meet the standards of over 200 sustainability criteria that can be grouped into five
key areas: Office operations; Product development; Working with suppliers; Customer relations and destinations.

Destination Asia Indonesia Travelife Certified(valid till 22 August 2025)

Destination Asia Malaysia Travelife Partner Level(expired 21 October 2023 – currently applying for Certification level)
Destination Asia Thailand Travelife Partner Level(expired 3 November 2023 – awaiting approval of Partner certificate)

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 5

OUR COMMITMENT TO OPERATE SUSTAINABLY

Below are the policies that help us commit to minimum standards so we canmeet our social, environmental and economic obligations. These are grouped
under the Travelife initiative criteria.
1. Sustainability management & legal compliance
Destination Asia provides sustainability training for its guides and has alist of, building actions around the three principles of: ‘Delivering
Authentic Experiences’; ‘Working With the Community’, and ‘Caring for
the Environment’.

We published a code of conduct for our drivers and sustainability
guidelines for transport suppliers. We share group-wide policies
concerning guide operations and ground safety concerning suppliertransportation.
At Destination Asia we actively separate waste to enable efficient
recycling. Each office has separate baskets for waste types andmeasures total waste produced each month.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 6

OUR COMMITMENT TO OPERATE SUSTAINABLY

2. Internal management: environment & community relations
We provide water dispensers in all Destination Asia office to reduce the use of single plastic. Our team in Indonesia has
collaborated with the NGO refillmybottle.com to provide water dispensers for the public to also enter and refill with clean,drinkable water. An energy saving policy is in place for all employees, covering air conditioning, lighting and computers. LED
lighting is installed where possible. Air con unites are switched off during breaks, at night and over the weekend period. Low
energy computers are purchased with devices switched off during breaks. Printers are also set by default set to double sided
printing in greyscale.
All USB purchased by Destination Asia are made from sustainably sourced bamboo. Other giveaway items for use attradeshows include reuseable coffee cups and hand-made candles (made with soya wax) in woven baskets (producedin Thailand). Organic cleaning materials are used to clean each of the offices where the cleaner is employed by Destination
Asia.
Destination Asia has a no print policy for brochures produced at the head office. All brochures are developed electronicallyas ebooks and made accessible online.
At our office in Bali, a rain bucket is used to collect water to then water plants and wash the fleet of vehicles. They have also
inserted a water bottle into the toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water used when flushing.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 7

OUR COMMITMENT TO OPERATE SUSTAINABLY

3. Accommodation
For any accommodation that has achieved sustainability certification, we place a ‘DA Responsible Choice’ badge against theproperty in our agent hub. These properties by default will show first in any search results. We also ask all properties to sign
a sustainability contract that requires a minimum standard to be met regarding services and accommodations offered.
4. Marketing & Communications
We publish a group-wide internal newsletter named ‘Responsible Steps’. This bi-monthly e-news covers all achievements andinitiatives in place across our network to inspire others within the company. Group-wide achievements are also
communicated to our full database via our flagship newsletter, Asia Talk.
We also tag sustainable news features on our news website by country so they can be easily searched for.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 8

OUR COMMITMENT TO OPERATE SUSTAINABLY

We have committed to improving sustainable practices under 4 key drivers within Destination Asia and along our supply chain.
These are outlined below under the following titles; zero waste offices, sustainable sourcing, responsible products and monthly
measurements.
Zero Waste Offices
We have reduced emissions in our offices by installing energy saving lighting where possible and purchasing low energy use
laptops. While plastic is still used, we have reduced its use considerably by providing re-usable coffee cups and glasses, andbags-for-life so staff no longer have to accept plastic carrier bags. We also provide kitchens with cutlery to avoid plastic knives
and forks. We ensure that devices are switched off during breaks and printers are switched off and unplugged at the end of eachworking day and over the weekends.
Sustainable Sourcing
Within our offices we only buy locally produced fair-trade coffee and tea for employees and source responsible office materials
from sustainable suppliers (such as USB made from sustainable bamboo sources). We bulk purchase when possible to avoid
excess waste. Our transport and accommodation suppliers are made aware of key sustainability goals and objectives.
Sustainability clauses are being integrated into contracts and signed accordingly.

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OUR COMMITMENT TO OPERATE SUSTAINABLY

Responsible Products
When developing new products, we place an emphasis on providing responsible options such as reduced carbon travel,
increased interaction with local communities, engaging with conservation initiatives and giving back to local communities
through charitable work. We cover product development extensively later in this report. We no longer provide complimentary
single-use plastic water bottles as standard practice in any countries. Within our operations in Indonesia, we use recyclable glass
bottles on all leisure programs and biodegradable wet tissues for our transfer and tour activities. These environmentally friendly
tissues are wrapped in plastic-free packaging, made from bamboo and are non-toxic. For M&I programs we encourage clients to
use refillable water bottles and can facilitate the purchase of them when required.

Monthly Reporting
To reduce our carbon footprint, we must understand where emissions stem from within our operations. From internal energy
use to staff flights, use of water and waste, we measure our footprint each month. We aim to reduce staff travel as much as
possible to cut down on carbon emissions, opting to use technology to host online meetings instead. Dependent upon the role,
Destination Asia also offers the option to work from home on certain days of the week.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 10

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

Our teams have growncontinually over a 3-year
period from 2021-2023.
However, since returning to
offices post-covid in 2022,
we implemented a hybrid
working scheme.

Electricity Usage (Kwh)
16000014000012000010000080000

In 2024 we are reviewing ourlighting policies to help
reduce electricity usage.

60000
40000
20000
0
Indonesia

Thailand

Malaysia
2021

Japan
2022

Hong Kong

VietnamSingapore

2023

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 11

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

Water Usage (litres)

In Thailand and Indonesia,
we are unable to track water
usage as it is included in therental rates.

6000005000004000003000002000001000000Indonesia

Thailand

Malaysia
2021

Japan
2022

Hong Kong

VietnamSingapore

2023

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 12

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

Total Waste (Kg)

This chart shows total waste
produced. While someoffices are making great
efforts to recycle waste, wemust continue efforts to
reduce the amount sent tolandfill across the Group.

4000
3500
3000

2500
2000
1500

In Indonesia approximately
40% of total waste isrecycled, avoiding going tolandfill.

1000
500

0
Indonesia

Thailand

Malaysia
2021

Japan
2022

Hong Kong

VietnamSingapore

2023

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 13

IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: THAILAND

Baan Nok Kamin
The Baan Nokkamin Foundation is nationwide Christian organisation that offers rescue and assistance to children in hardship,including orphans and the many children living on the streets, by developing and strengthening them emotionally, so they are
ready to face the future. In December the team collected items such as cuddly toys, school supplies, toiletries and clothing at
the head office in Bangkok. The donations were for girls and boys aged 2-14 years living at Baan Nok Kamin home for street
children and orphans – a charity supported for several years by Destination Asia Thailand.
Electric Vehicle Transfers
As part of our commitment to reduce our environmental footprint and help lower emissions of CO2 in tourism, the team in
Thailand offers clients the option to book transfers in and around Bangkok using fully electric vehicles. For guests entering
Thailand, we can provide an airport transfer with zero carbon emissions. At present we can provide transfers in electricvehicles from Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi) to all city hotels, Hua Hin, and Pattaya beach destinations.
Single Use Plastic Awareness
Destination Asia Thailand recently held information sessions about the detrimental impact single-use plastics have on theenvironment in Thailand and on a global level. Led by Sustainability Coordinator Sakatisnacharinpatas (James) Suttimetikul,
the sessions aimed to enlighten the Head Office and Thailand teams about the adverse effects of single-use plastics andintroduce practical reusable alternatives. Staff were encouraged to brainstorm innovative ways they could minimise singleuse plastic consumption, both in the office and at home and James shared important updates on government initiatives
designed to address plastic pollution in Thailand.
Sustainability Report 2023 Page 14

IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: THAILAND

Tourlink
Along with other Thailand-based DMCs, Destination Asia is a key partner in an initiative managed by TourLink that aims togreen the Thai tourism supply chain through a business-led approach. The initiative aims to involve EU buyers, Thai tour
operators and their suppliers with a focus on the Value Chain Analysis (VCA). VCA aims to give a situation update and baseline
to inform, update, guide, and monitor the TourLink project. The project aims to support the Thai travel sector to become
more sustainable by providing; standardized sustainability standards and an internationally recognized certification.
Rajvithi Home for Girls
The Rajvithi Home for Girls was established to provide help for orphans and disadvantaged children aged between five and
18. Some have been sexually exploited or have parents serving a jail term. Destination Asia Thailand along with the team fromhead office in Bangkok organised a food drive for the home. A total of around 20 large boxes of food items were collected anddonated including essential items such as rice, cooking oil, noodles, sugar and sweet treats.
Wheelchair Accessible Experiences
James, Sustainability Coordinator for Destination Asia Thailand joined our partner Nutty Adventures on their 'Accessible
Tourism for All' trip toward the end of 2023. The journey focused on the importance of inclusivity and accessibility incommunity-based tourism and included exploration of local cuisines, landscapes, and cultural highlights. Following this trip,
the Thailand team undertook a thorough review of products and are excited to propose fresh wheelchair-accessible
experiences and inclusivity to those with visual impairments. These experiences align with our sustainability certification
initiatives to contribute to a more accessible and enjoyable journey for all clients.
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IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: MALAYSIA

Kechara Soup Kitchen
A not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation in Penang, Malaysia operating since 2008, Kechara Soup Kitchen serves hot
meals, dry food, fruit and drinks to homeless and disadvantaged people, as well as providing basic medical care and welfare aid.
Destination Asia Malaysia stepped in to help the cause, participating in food distribution over the course of three days. Ourcolleagues across Malaysia also donated dry food items and funds to Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, a not-for-profit, singlediscipline cancer hospital.
Project M.A.R.S
Project M.A.R.S is a community-initiative project in Balik Pulau, Penang with a goal to growing a food forest using syntropic
agroforestry approaches and building a best practice space for climate resilience education. The Malaysia team are now working
with them and running field classes on Population and Food where participants learn about their climate action initiative andself-sufficiency food forest farm. They also meet with a local organic farmers community called ‘The Grow Market’.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 16

IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: MALAYSIA

Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS)
CEMACS was established in August 1991 to enhance the capability of conducting integrated inter-and multi-disciplinary studies
leading towards solving problems related to marine and coastal ecosystems. In 2023 we ran our first field study classes with
Semester at Sea, with a program around the observation of true jellyfish (Scyphozoan) & box jellyfish (Cubozoan) species.
Participants were able to discuss conservation practices, challenges and successes for jellyfish in the marine ecosystem.

Supporting Local Artists in Penang
Destination Asia Malaysia developed product focusing on local street/mural artists where travellers are given the opportunity tomeet and interact with local artists. The program includes a walking tour around the art-strewn streets of George Town, a visit
to Blank Canvas featuring The Importance of Being by Ernest Zacharevic, and meeting with a local artist at Hin Depot.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 17

IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: INDONESIA

IDSC
Destination Asia Indonesia is a founding member of the Indonesian DMC Sustainability Collaboration/IDSC, which aims toensure and measure the sustainability and health & safety of tourism suppliers through; supplier training, self-assessment, onsite assessment, and sustainability contract.
Bali WISE
As part of a long-term CSR initiative, Destination Asia Indonesia continues to support the education of students of Bali WISE,
an educational skills center focusing on Bali’s hospitality industry. The aim is to empower young, marginalized Indonesian
women through education to break the poverty cycle and develop sustainable communities in Indonesia. The high-quality
education and skills training match those requirements to enter the professional tourism business. A class generally consists of
16 – 22 students that undertake three months of school classes and three months of internship. Destination Asia Indonesia
provides the financial support for one student to complete the education and work experience program.

ZeroWaste TourA new ZeroWaste Tour Program launched at the end of 2023 in Bali’s Nusa Dua features a series of 10 eco-stations, eachfocused on a particular aspect of sustainable living and environmental awareness. All profits generated from the ZeroWaste
Tour Program provide education on waste management, sustainable living and environmental awareness for public school
children and beneficiaries of humanitarian NGOs.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 18

IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: VIETNAM

Dieu Giac Orphanage
Destination Asia Vietnam organised a food drive in 2023 with collections taken at its office and then donated to the shelter.
The consignment was made up of essentials such as rice, salt, sugar, fish sauce, diapers, shampoo and more. The team raised
an amazing 35,000,000 VND (about US$ 1,500). This enabled them to purchase goods worth 25,000,000 VND and provide
Mama Miuoi, their lead carer, with an extra 10,000,000 VND to spend as she saw fit. The local Co.opmart store helped greatly
by supporting the drive with special discounts on purchases.
Electric Vehicles
The Destination Asia Vietnam product team is collaborating with SM Xanh taxis to customise eco-friendly tours and transfers
and seamlessly integrate the use of these electric vehicles. This partnership aims to provide responsible and safe travel
experiences for guests, marking a significant leap towards a more sustainable travel industry. In the evolving Vietnamese urban
transport scene, the cyan electric vehicles embody tangible progress towards a greener, more eco-conscious future.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 19

IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: SINGAPORE

Willing Hearts
A non-affiliated charity in Singapore, Willing Hearts is managed and run mostly by volunteers. It operates a soup kitchen that
prepares, cooks and distributes about 7,000 daily meals to over 70 island-wide locations. Staff from Destination Asia Singapore
volunteered their time for a day early on in 2023, preparing ingredients, helping to pack lunch boxes, cleaning the kitchen,
washing dishes and providing general help around the place as requested. In October of 2023, the entire Singapore team also
dedicated time to a clean-up day at Changi Beach, so it can continue to be safe for local wildlife and enjoyed by visitors.
Sustainable Fashion Tour
Destination Asia Singapore recently introduced a new tour, putting the spotlight on local sustainable fashion houses. Startingat Design Orchard, an integrated retail and incubation space fostering local designers, this location serves as both a creative
hub and vibrant event space on Orchard Road and offers a platform for Singapore's homegrown brands to showcase creativity
globally. Next stop is GINLEE Studio, known for its planet-friendly, thoughtfully designed fashion using sustainably produced,
long-lasting materials. Guests can enjoy using GINLEE's customisable service to design one-of-a-kind pleated bags, pouches,and cushions, contributing to reduced fabric waste and overconsumption

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IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: JAPANSustainability Contracts
Throughout 2023, Destination Asia Japan continued to update sustainability contract for guides and promote best practices
through training. As per the contract, all guides are now required to read Destination Asia’s Responsible Travel brochure,
Responsible Travel Tips & Guidelines, and Sustainability Policy, and complete online Travelife training courses.

IN-DESTINATION ACHIEVEMENTS: HONG KONG

Food Angel
Food Angel is a non-profit organisation in Hong Kong that rescues edible surplus food from catering industry outlets thatwould otherwise go to waste. After thorough checks, the food is then turned into tasty, nutritious meals in the central
kitchen and redistributed to underprivileged communities. The Destination Asia Hong Kong team helped prepare meals andreceived an informative briefing on food waste and poverty issues in the region. By volunteering with this excellent cause, we
can help ensure that perfectly good food is saved from disposal and given to people who need it.

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LOOKING AHEAD: PLANNING FOR 2024

In 2023, our teams experienced remarkable growth, resulting in a significant increase in electricity and water consumption, as
well as a rise in waste generation. Across the majority of our offices, we have successfully implemented measures to curtailelectricity usage, such as incorporating energy-saving lights, utilizing low-power computers, turning off air conditioning when
not in use, and promoting hybrid working arrangements. In Indonesia, approximately 40% of all waste is diverted from landfills
and recycled. In other destinations we have expanded recycling points throughout the office, and recycled waste will now beweighed separately for accurate reporting.
Aligned with our commitment to responsible travel initiatives, our teams in Asia have developed multiple new programs thatare both responsible and accessible. Additionally, there has been an increase in the offering of educational experiences in
2023, with opportunities to book informative classes on recycling, animal welfare, marine education and biodiversity.
As part of our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to travelers, we acknowledge the importance of ensuring
each program positively contributes to the conservation of communities and destinations. We are actively engaging withaccommodation and transport suppliers, encouraging them to sign sustainability contracts. Furthermore, we are dedicated toenhancing the knowledge and practices of our guides through training on sustainable tourism best practices. Additionally, we
empower our clients by offering tips and guidelines that serve to educate travelers and promote responsible tourism in Asia.
If you have any questions regarding our code of conduct surrounding sustainable travel, please contact us at:
responsibletravel@destination-asia.com

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 22

Appendix

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 23

DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE PRODUCT THEMES & CRITERIA(LE) LOCAL ENGAGEMENT• (LE1) Part of the tour provides anopportunity for respectfulinteraction or meaningfulconnection with locals; bridging
understanding between travellers
and hosts while building local prideand confidence.
• (LE2) Part of the tour is managed by
a community-based tourism group,
where local ownership is supported.

• (LE3) Local knowledge or story
telling is shared through learning
experiences provided by the hostcommunity.

(RF) REDUCED FOOTPRINT• (RF1) Low CO2 emission
transportation and vehicles
leaving minimal negativeenvironmental impact are
selected as priority.
• (RF2) Procedures to reduce
disposable single-use goods andwaste management practices areapplied throughout the tour.
• (RF3) Preference is given toaccommodation and activity
suppliers who are engaged in or
have achieved sustainability
certification.

(GB) GIVING BACK
• (GB1) Part of the cost of thetour directly support local
social enterprises or nonprofit organizations to help
initiatives related toenvironmental conservation,
cultural protection, local
education, or/and community
development.
• (GB2) Volunteer opportunities
are made available fordevelopment projects that
address social andenvironmental problems
within the destination.

Click to view(IC) IMMERSIVE CONSERVATION• (IC1) An opportunity for a hands-on
experience while learning about
nature and wildlife protection.
• (IC2) Part of the cost of the tour
goes to directly supporting a
conservation project.
• (IC3) A focus is placed on raisingawareness of the importance ofprotecting the natural world anddeveloping effective environmental
management.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 24

DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PRODUCTS

LOCAL ENGAGEMENTREDUCED FOOTPRINT

GIVING BACKIMMERSIVE CONSERVATION

Discover the Hidden
community

A walking tourin Saigon

Food Angel’s
cooking

Learning about
Orangutan Conservation

Thailand

VietnamHong Kong

Malaysia

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 25

DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PRODUCTS (ON OUR AGENT SITE)

We apply badges on
product
coverstohighlight a commitment
to minimum standards.
These standards are
outlined on page 3 of a
product description.

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 26

PROMOTION OF RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PRODUCTS IN PROPOSALS

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 27

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL TIPS & GUIDELINESAt Destination Asia we are continuallydeveloping new ways to ensure travellers
not only experience a series of
unforgettable encounters but connect on
a level that is not detrimental to thedestination. We want to ensure that eachtraveller has a positive impact, becoming
part of the solution when it comesto responsible travel.
To ensure our staff, guides and partners
were fully aware of how to travel
responsibly in Asia, we went a stepfurther and developed a comprehensive‘Destination Asia: Responsible Travel
Tips & Guidelines’ booklet. This online
guide has proven to be extremely popularin providing local insight into how totravel responsibly.
Click to view
Sustainability Report 2023 Page 28

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL QUICK TIPS

We will always share our knowledge withthe aim to improve sustainability along
the supply chain. Our Responsible Travel
Quick Tips are available for viewing on
our website.
Click to view

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 29

ANIMAL WELFARE POLICYTo ensure any interaction with animals in
Asia takes place without detrimental effectto the animals and their surrounding
environment, at Destination Asia wedeveloped an ‘Animal Welfare Policy’. It
was created using the research andfindings of organisations such as ABTA,World Animal Protection, The Asia Captive
Elephant Working Group, European Centre
for Eco & Agro Tourism, and otherspecialists to inform travelers and ourpartners about the issues at stake.
These guidelines are available fordownload from our website.
Click to view

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 30

ELEPHANTS IN ASIA

In early 2017, Destination Asia became a member of the
Elephant Camp Welfare and Sustainability Standard andAssessment Initiative. The group has since audited over 30
elephant camps in Asia.
Simply closing all elephant tourism camps is not a realistic orsustainable option for a variety of reasons; including the lack ofalternative livelihoods for both people and elephants.
Learn more about our approach to elephants in Asia bydownloading our ‘Animal Welfare Policy’.

Click to view

Sustainability Report 2023 Page 31

THAILAND I VIETNAM I CHINA I JAPAN I HONG KONG I INDONESIA I SINGAPORE I CAMBODIA I MALAYSIA I MYANMAR I LAOS