Demavend Travel – Sustainability Policy
Demavend Travel organizes cultural, adventure, and nature tours throughout Turkey. Since the 1960s, our company has grown with a strong sense of responsibility towards the environment, our guests, and the communities in which we operate. For us, sustainability is not only about reducing negative impacts, but also about creating long-term positive outcomes. This policy describes our commitments to protecting the environment, respecting culture, engaging with local communities, and ensuring the wellbeing of our customers. It aligns with our Travelife report and is reviewed annually.
1. Sustainability Management & Legal Compliance
Demavend Travel is fully committed to sustainability performance. Our management endorses this policy, and we follow all local, national, and international regulations. We apply a strict zero-tolerance policy for corruption, bribery, forced labor, and discrimination. A Sustainability Coordinator is appointed to oversee implementation and reporting through the Travelife platform. This policy is reviewed and updated every year.
2. Social Policy & Human Rights
Our employees are our most valuable asset. We ensure:
• Legal contracts, fair salaries, and social security for all staff.
• A safe and healthy workplace in line with legal standards.
• Equal opportunities and non-discrimination at every level.
• Regular trainings on sustainability, workplace safety, and child protection.
• An anonymous feedback system to raise concerns.
Child Protection: Demavend Travel does not allow child labor or any form of exploitation. Guides and staff receive awareness training on protecting children in tourism.
3. Environment in Office Operations
We minimize the footprint of our office activities:
• Energy and water consumption is monitored monthly through bills, and reduction
targets are set.
• FSC-certified paper and eco-friendly cleaning products are used.
• Printing is kept to a minimum and always double-sided in black and white.
• All devices and lights are energy-efficient and turned off when not in use.
To reduce our carbon impact, unnecessary travel is avoided. Where emissions cannot be reduced, we support reforestation projects such as TEMA.
4. Suppliers and Partners
We prefer to work with local suppliers who share our values.
• Women’s cooperatives and small producers are prioritized.
• Locally produced, seasonal products are chosen whenever possible.
• A Supplier Code of Conduct ensures respect for human rights, fair labor, and
environmental protection.
• Partnerships are ended immediately if violations occur.
5. Inbound Partner Agencies
All partner agencies must follow our Code of Conduct. They are encouraged to use the Travelife learning platform and to act in the best interest of communities, the environment, and our guests.
6. Transport
• All transfers are carried out by licensed vehicles and in full compliance with national
regulations.
• We only use safe, registered, and insured transport providers.
• Short-haul destinations are reached by land transport instead of flights where
possible.
• Vehicle size is selected according to group size to avoid unnecessary emissions.
• Guests are encouraged to use public transport or shared transfer options whenever
available.
7. Accommodations
• We only cooperate with accommodations that respect our Code of Conduct.
• Hotels and guesthouses with clear sustainability practices (waste separation, energy
and water saving) are preferred.
• We give priority to accommodations that respect local architecture and traditions.
8. Activities & Excursions
• Activities that harm animals, nature, or cultural heritage are strictly excluded.
• We promote community-based excursions and work with local guides.
• Guests receive information on responsible shopping and are warned against illegal
souvenirs.
• Camps and excursions are organized with eco-friendly and culturally respectful
methods.
9. Guides & Local Representatives
• Qualified local guides are hired, paid fairly, and provided with safe working conditions.
• All guides receive regular training on sustainability topics.
• Special training on child protection and prevention of exploitation in tourism is
mandatory.
• Guides are responsible for informing guests about cultural sensitivity, environmental
issues, and safety.
10. Destinations
• To avoid over-tourism, we promote less-visited regions.
• We cooperate with local authorities and communities to protect nature (for example,
in Aladağlar National Park).
• Destinations with poor human rights records are not supported.
• Guests are encouraged to support local culture, buy responsibly, and avoid forbidden
products.
11. Customer Communication & Protection
• All tour information is accurate and transparent; misleading marketing is not
accepted.
• We are committed to honest communication and avoid greenwashing.
• Guests are informed about sustainability before and during their trip.
• Complaints and feedback can be submitted through our website form, by e-mail, or byphone. All feedback is registered and answered within 7 days.
• Customer privacy is fully protected according to legal standards.
• Health and safety procedures are applied in all tours, including emergency protocols.
Contact / Responsible person
All staff are responsible for the ownership and undertaking of this policy.
All staff are responsible for the promotion and implementation of this sustainability policy within their departments.
The implementation of this policy will be lead by the Sustainability Coordinator, Mr. Mehmet Donmez, who can be reached at mehmet@demavendtravel.com
Sustainability Outcomes & Achievements
Demavend Travel has been integrating sustainability practices into its operations in line with our official Sustainability Policy and Action Plan. Below are the main steps and achievements from our recent actions:
• Sustainable Accommodation Selection: We identified accommodation partners that are certified or demonstrate strong sustainability awareness. These suppliers are prioritized in our tours.
• Monitoring Energy & Emissions: We started tracking electricity, water, and natural gas consumption in our office and began calculating our carbon emissions to improve energy efficiency.
• Guide & Staff Awareness: We developed clear guidelines for our tour leaders to brief guests on environmental and social sustainability during tours.
• Reducing Food Waste in Camps: At our mountain camps, we minimize waste by planning meals collectively and avoiding single-use or individually packaged servings.
• Promoting Responsible Travel: We are updating our self-guided tours on our website, emphasizing low-impact and community-based travel.
• Continuous Improvement: Every year, we work to enhance guide awareness and explore new ways to improve sustainability in our operations.
Our next goals include strengthening collaboration with suppliers, improving energy monitoring, and sharing our annual progress transparently with our customers and partners.
Customer Data Privacy Notice
As DEMAVEND TRAVEL, we place great importance on the security and confidentiality of your personal data in accordance with the Turkish Law on the Protection of Personal Data No. 6698 (KVKK).
This notice has been prepared to inform you about the personal data we process within the scope of our tour services and the purposes for which they are used.
1. Data Controller Information:
Company Name: DEMAVEND TRAVEL TOURISM AGENCY
Address: ESENBEY MAH.BANKALAR CAD.YILDIZ IS MERKEZI NO.10MERKEZ / NİĞDE TÜRKIYE
Phone: (+90) 388 232 73 63
E-mail: mehmet@demavendtravel.com
2. Personal Data Processed:
Full name
Contact information (phone, e-mail, address)
Passport and ID details (for international travel)
Reservation and payment details
Note: We do not request health information or other special categories of personal data.
3. Method and Legal Basis for Collecting Personal Data:
Your personal data is collected through domestic and international business partners, reservation forms, e-mails, or phone calls, based on the legal grounds of fulfilling the travel service contract, complying with legal obligations, and pursuing our legitimate interests, in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the KVKK.
4. Purposes of Processing Personal Data:
Managing tour reservations and operational processes
Fulfilling legal obligations such as travel insurance and invoicing
Customer communication and information
5. Data Retention Period:
Personal data is retained for the duration of the tour operation and for the legally required retention period, after which it is securely deleted or destroyed.
Customer data received from overseas agencies is used solely for the relevant tour operation and is securely deleted or destroyed once the process is completed.
6. Data Sharing:
Data may be shared only when necessary for providing the tour service, with partners such as guides, hotels, transportation providers, and insurance companies.
Transfers abroad are carried out in compliance with the data protection laws of the relevant country and the KVKK.
7. Data Security:
Digital data is stored in encrypted systems with restricted access.
Physical documents are kept in locked storage.
Our guides and staff are bound by our Ethical Code, which prohibits sharing personal data with third parties.