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Sustainability Policy
English Version

At Ashtar Tours International, we are committed to promoting responsible practices in all aspects of our business. Our sustainability policy is carefully designed to ensure the highest standards of environmental management, social responsibility, and ethical conduct in our operations. Below, we outline our commitments and the measures we will take to fulfill them:


Health and Public Safety:


• We ensure the provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers in the workplace and train employees in first aid and fire extinguisher usage.


• We provide first aid kits in the tourist vehicles during our trips and tours to protect the safety and well-being of our customers and employees.


Internal Management:


• We implement an internal company system based on the provisions and laws of the Jordanian Ministry of Labor, which is communicated to all employees.


• Employment contracts are clear for all employees, guaranteeing their rights and outlining their duties and obligations, including job descriptions, annual leave, benefits, and wages. We ensure employees have the freedom to terminate their contracts with a one month's notice without penalties.


• We guarantee a safe and comfortable working environment for all employees and provide a system to measure employee satisfaction and a mechanism for submitting complaints.


• We adhere to national regulations regarding the minimum age for employment and support fair labor practices and worker rights protection in line with Jordanian labor laws.


• We offer comprehensive first-class health insurance to our employees as an additional benefit.


Environment and Community Relations:


• We work to reduce the use of single-use consumables and choose more sustainable alternatives to minimize waste production.


• We prioritize purchasing sustainable goods and services, including office supplies, catering materials, gifts, and office necessities.


• We reduce packaging waste by buying in bulk and encourage suppliers to adopt environmentally friendly packaging practices.


• We advocate for paper-saving techniques such as double-sided printing or other paper-saving methods in our copiers and printers.


• We use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products, prioritizing those with eco-label certifications when available locally.


• We prioritize purchasing energy-efficient equipment, considering cost, quality, and environmental impact.


• We implement measures to reduce brochure waste by using digital brochures.


• We monitor and reduce energy consumption to minimize our environmental footprint.


Transportation:


• We choose environmentally friendly transportation options when available and offer bike and walking tours in our tour packages.


• We prefer using low-emission vehicles such as electric and hybrid cars.


• We work with transportation companies to reduce fuel consumption, lower carbon emissions, and ensure public safety for tourists.


• We collaborate with transportation companies to reduce plastic use on buses, including eliminating plastic water bottles.


• We ensure first aid kits are available on buses.


Accommodation:


• We prioritize accommodations that follow sustainable practices and quality standards.


• We prefer locally owned and operated accommodations and support local community employment.


• We advocate for improved practices and aim to provide training and awareness on responsible tourism to our future partners.


• We encourage accommodations to complete sustainability surveys, focusing on key standards such as water and energy-saving initiatives, waste management, community involvement, and food and beverage service management.


• We maintain regular communication with our partners to stay updated on developments.


• We communicate our sustainability goals and requirements to contracted accommodations, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation and community well-being.


Tours and Activities:


• We prioritize tours and activities that respect local cultures, wildlife, and the environment.


• We advise guests on appropriate behavioral standards.


• We refrain from offering tours that involve visiting captive wildlife and avoid working with entities engaged in unethical wildlife exploitation practices.


• We support community tourism and locally made souvenirs.


Tour Guides and Local Representatives:


• We ensure fair and safe working conditions for all our tour guides and representatives and provide a code of conduct with clear terms and conditions.


• We prioritize local workers and reward them with fair wages in accordance with legal standards.


• We provide training to our tour guides on sustainability issues, social norms, and human rights within our local communities.


• We ask tour guides to provide detailed feedback to our office after each tour.


• We provide guides with information to share with tourists about responsible practices.


Destinations:


• We support biodiversity conservation efforts and refrain from promoting souvenirs containing endangered plant species or historical artifacts, in line with international conventions and Jordanian law.


Communication with Tourists and Protection:


• We prioritize tourist privacy and provide clear, accurate, and balanced information about our products and services, including sustainability requirements.


• We promote sustainable alternatives to our clients and work with local companies to offer eco-friendly transportation options (bike tours and hiking/trekking tours).


• We provide comprehensive information to tourists before, during, and after their stay in Jordan, including emergency contacts and responsible behavior guidelines.

 

• We seek feedback from tourists to improve our services and integrate sustainability into our customer satisfaction evaluations.

Purchasing:

​​

  • We collaborate with suppliers who uphold fair labor practices and contribute positively to the well-being of local communities.

  • We prioritize working with local suppliers who follow sustainable and ethical practices in their production methods.

  • We focus on using products that minimize energy, water, and material consumption, while also reducing waste through smart packaging choices.

  • We choose products with recyclable or biodegradable packaging and continually implement strategies to reduce waste across our operations.

  • We avoid products that threaten biodiversity or involve materials sourced from endangered species or sensitive areas.

  • We regularly assess our suppliers’ sustainability practices and look for opportunities to enhance our own practices.

  • We select products and services that demonstrate strong energy efficiency throughout their entire lifecycle.

  • We give preference to items that carry recognized eco-labels and certifications that meet high sustainability standards.

  • We purchase frequently used items in bulk to reduce waste and seek reusable alternatives wherever possible.

Energy Management​:

  • We focus on reducing energy use by adopting efficient technologies and practices. Lights, electronics, and equipment are turned off when not in use. Our vehicles are regularly maintained for the best fuel efficiency.

  • We minimize printing and encourage digital communication to save energy and resources.

  • We plan our routes carefully to cut down on fuel consumption and reduce our carbon footprint.

  • We make sure our staff and tour participants understand the importance of energy conservation and how they can help.

Responsibilities:

  • Management:
    Our management team leads by example, following and promoting energy-saving practices.

  • Staff:
    Every staff member is responsible for following our energy conservation guidelines.

  • Participants:
    We share our energy-saving efforts with participants and encourage them to contribute.

Water Reduction​:

  • Before each trip, we talk to our team, guests, and local partners about how important it is to save water. We want everyone to know how scarce water is in Jordan and how they can help by using it responsibly.

  • We make sure our water systems are in good shape by regularly checking for leaks and fixing any issues right away. We also set up water refilling stations for our guests whenever we can, to cut down on single-use plastic bottles.

  • We encourage all our cycling guests to bring their own reusable water bottles. During the ride, they can easily refill their bottles from our central water box, helping to reduce waste 

  • We encourage our hiking guests to bring their own reusable bottles. During the hike, they can refill their bottles when we meet local families along the way or at water stations if available. This helps reduce the need for plastic bottles and supports our efforts to protect the environment 

  • When we're camping, we take extra care to use as little water as possible for things like cooking, cleaning, and washing up. We also use eco-friendly cleaning products to make sure we're not harming local water sources.

  • On our bus tours, we provide a 20-liter bottle with a pump so that our guests can easily refill their reusable bottles while traveling. This setup helps minimize the use of single-use plastics

  • We ask our guests to be mindful of their water use throughout their trip. We also encourage them to bring reusable water bottles and use water purification options instead of relying on single-use plastic bottles.

Complaints Management Policy:

  • 1. During the Trip:
    Clients in Jordan can contact our operations team directly. We address and resolve issues on the spot to ensure a smooth experience.

  • 2. After the Trip:
    Complaints received through agents are investigated with the involved team (driver, guide, etc.). A meeting is held to review the case and decide on appropriate action.

Forbidden Souvenirs List – Jordan:

  • We recommend not to collect, purchase, accept as a gift, nor take home;

  1. Any type of coral

  2. Antiquities of any sort

  3. Protected plants

  4. Protected animals

  • We do encourage you to buy local and products that are authentically Jordanian, for example;

  1. Locally grown Medjool dates

  2. Locally produced Olive oil

  3. Dead Sea Products from Jordan

  4. Herbs and Spices from Jordan

  5. Traditional scarves, clothing, embroidery, bags made in Jordan

  6. Handicrafts made in Jordan by locals

  7. Natural goods including soaps and scrubs made in Jordan

  8. Holy Water from the river Jordan

  9. Ceramics made locally

  10. Hand‐made mosaics made in Jordan

  11. Hand‐crafted traditional silver jewellery made locally

  12. Hand‐blown glass from the region

  13. Traditional tea and coffee cups

  14. Locally made paintings or artwork

Sexual Exploitation:

  • We are committed to preventing child labor and child sexual exploitation in all forms. We adhere to ethical practices, ensuring the protection and well-being of children in all our operations and partnerships.

Promotion and communication:

We are committed to ensuring that all promotional materials and marketing communications meet relevant industry standards and voluntary codes of conduct. Our practices emphasize transparency, accuracy, and ethical representation of our services. Specifically, we adhere to the following principles:

  • Accuracy: All descriptions of our tours, accommodations, and services reflect what is genuinely offered and avoid exaggeration.

  • Transparency: Pricing, terms, and conditions are clearly stated to avoid any potential misunderstandings.

  • Ethical Representation: Visual and textual content respects cultural sensitivities and portrays destinations and communities in a responsible manner.

  • Compliance: All materials are developed in alignment with applicable regulations and standards.

Customer Privacy:

At Ashtar Tours Jordan, your trust means everything to us, and protecting your privacy is a responsibility we take very seriously. Whether you’re planning a memorable trip or simply reaching out to us, we want you to feel confident that your personal information is safe in our hands.

Here’s how we keep your information secure and treat it with the respect it deserves:

Our Commitments to You:

  • We Collect Only What We Need
    When you share personal details with us, like your passport information, it’s purely to make your travel smooth and hassle-free. We only ask for what’s absolutely necessary to arrange bookings, handle documentation, and meet any legal requirements.

  • We Keep Your Information Secure
    Your information is stored using top-notch security systems—encrypted digital files and locked physical records. Only a select few authorized team members at Ashtar Tours Jordan can access it.

  • We Share Responsibly
    If we need to share your information—say, with airlines, hotels, or government agencies—it’s only to ensure your travel goes as planned. We partner only with trusted organizations and always comply with the law.

  • We Don’t Keep It Forever
    Your personal data stays with us only as long as it’s needed—whether for your trip, legal obligations, or business operations. After that, we securely delete or destroy it.

  • You’re in Control
    If you ever want to check, update, or remove your information from our records, it’s easy. Just let us know, and we’ll take care of it promptly.

Wildlife Harvesting Policy:

Our company is dedicated to protecting wildlife and ensuring that our operations and activities do not contribute to the exploitation or unsustainable use of wildlife species. We adhere to strict guidelines and principles regarding the interaction with and use of wildlife, including:

  • No Exploitation:

Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded in any form through our operations, except when permitted as part of regulated activities.

  • Compliance with Laws:

Any regulated activity involving wildlife is conducted strictly in compliance with local, national, and international laws, including conventions such as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

  • Promotion of Sustainable Practices:

We educate our clients and partners on the importance of preserving wildlife and discourage participation in activities that exploit animals or threaten biodiversity.

  • Partnership with Responsible Entities:

We collaborate only with organizations, suppliers, and local communities that prioritize sustainable wildlife practices and conservation efforts.

  • Examples in Practice:

Encouraging guests to avoid purchasing souvenirs made from wildlife products.

Ensuring wildlife-related excursions, such as safaris or bird-watching tours, are operated responsibly and do not disturb natural habitats.

Responsible Activity Management:

The company offers no activities that harm humans, animals, plants, natural resources (e.g. water/energy), or which are socially/culturally unacceptable.

1.    Environmental Responsibility:

•    Activities are designed to minimize impact on natural ecosystems, including the protection of flora, fauna, and natural resources like water and energy.

•    Examples: Avoiding activities that contribute to habitat destruction or pollution, and promoting eco-friendly alternatives like cycling or hiking.

 

2.    Animal Welfare:

•    We adhere to global animal welfare standards by avoiding activities that exploit animals or cause them undue stress.

•    Examples: Excluding unethical animal attractions, such as elephant rides or dolphin shows, and instead offering wildlife observation experiences in natural settings.

 

3.    Cultural Sensitivity:

•    Activities are reviewed to ensure they respect local traditions, beliefs, and social norms.

•    Examples: Avoiding tours that trivialize or misrepresent cultural practices and ensuring respectful engagement with local communities.

 

4.    Social Equity:

•    We avoid any activity that could harm or exploit local populations, including children or marginalized groups.

•    Examples: Ensuring fair compensation for local performers or artisans and not engaging with activities linked to unethical labor practices.

 

5.    Compliance and Review:

•    All activities are assessed to ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations, and regularly reviewed for alignment with sustainability principles.

 

6.    Guest Awareness:

•    Clients are informed about the potential negative impacts of certain activities and encouraged to participate in experiences that contribute positively to the environment and communities.

Sustainable Accommodations Policy:

At Ashtar Tours Jordan, we believe that every traveler has the power to make a positive impact. This policy reflects our commitment to fostering sustainability through partnerships with accommodations that share our vision for a better future in Jordan. While we recognize the challenges of limited certified sustainable accommodations, our approach emphasizes progress, collaboration, and flexibility in achieving our shared goals.
 

1. Environmental Awareness

We encourage accommodations to:

  • Commit to environmentally responsible practices, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.

  • Take measurable steps to limit their impact on local and global biodiversity.

  • Adopt innovative and eco-friendly solutions that help minimize their carbon footprint.

We prioritize partnerships with accommodations that actively work towards reducing environmental harm while ensuring a high standard of service for our guests.

2. Supporting Local Communities

At Ashtar Tours, we advocate for accommodations that:

  • Engage with local communities by sourcing supplies locally, creating job opportunities, and supporting community projects.

  • Collaborate with local businesses, artisans, and suppliers to boost the economic well-being of the area.

  • Empower the community through training and fair employment practices.

Our Commitment:

  • We recommend locally owned accommodations that celebrate Jordan’s rich culture and provide a platform for local talent.

  • Upon request, we collaborate with other tour operators and stakeholders to promote sustainability initiatives among accommodation providers.

3. Preserving Culture and Heritage

We support accommodations that:

  • Respect and preserve local traditions, cultures, and heritage while sharing these values with guests.

  • Provide authentic cultural experiences that foster understanding and appreciation.

  • Feature local art, architecture, and craftsmanship in their design, respecting intellectual property rights and local traditions.

Our Policy:

  • We will not work with accommodations that harm the surrounding community by compromising access to essential resources such as food, water, energy, or healthcare.

4. Education and Training

We believe in the power of knowledge and collaboration. To this end, we:

  • Encourage accommodations to implement staff training programs focused on sustainable practices.

  • Share resources and best practices to help them improve their sustainability efforts.

  • Partner with like-minded organizations to promote industry-wide learning and growth.

Policy on Child and Compulsory Labor:

Our company is committed to upholding the rights of children and eliminating all forms of child and compulsory labor within our operations and supply chain. We ensure the following:

  • Safeguarding Children’s Rights: All accommodation and service providers in our supply chain must comply with local and international labor laws, including prohibitions against child labor and forced labor. 

  • Monitoring and Compliance:If a supplier employs individuals below the age of 16 (where legally permissible), we require the implementation of special conditions to ensure their safety, education, and well-being. 

  • Zero Tolerance:We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for exploitative practices and regularly review our supply chain to ensure adherence to ethical standards.

Image by Codioful (Formerly Gradienta)

سياسة الاستدامة
النسخة العربية

نحن في شركة عشتار للسياحة ملتزمون بتعزيز الممارسات المسؤولة في جميع جوانب عملنا. حيث تم تصميم سياسة الاستدامة الخاصة بنا بدقة لضمان أعلى معايير الإشراف البيئي، المسؤولية الاجتماعية، والسلوك الأخلاقي في العمل.
فيما يلي، نحدد التزاماتنا والتدابير التي سنتخذها للوفاء بها

: الصحة والسلامة العامة 


نضمن توفير أدوات الإسعافات الأولية واطفاء الحريق في مكان العمل وتدريب الموظفين على الاسعافات الأولية

وكيفية التعامل مع طفاية الحريق.


 توفير أدوات الاسعافات الأولية في المركبات السياحية خلال رحلاتنا وجولاتنا لحماية سلامة ورفاهية عملائنا وموظفينا.


: الإدارة الداخلية


بوحد نظام داخلي للشركة مستند لأحكام وتشريعات وقوانين وزارة العمل الأردنية مصادق عليه ومعمم على جميع الموظفين.


 عقد العمل واضح لكل الموظفين يضمن حقوقهم ويبين واجباتهم والتزاماتهم، ويتضمن الوصف الوظيفي والاجازات والامتيازات والأجور، وكما نضمن منح الموظفين حرية اختيار انهاء عقد العمل وذلك بفترة اشعار مدته لا تقل عن شهر واحد وبدون عقوبات جزائية.


 ضمان توفير بيئة عمل امنة ومريحة لكل الموظفين وتوفير الية قياس مدى رضى الموظف عن العمل وبيئة العمل، وتوفير نظام تقديم الشكاوى.


نلتزم بالتشريعات الوطنية المتعلقة بالحد الأدنى لسن القبول في العمل، وندعم ممارسات العمل العادلة وحماية حقوق العاملين تماشياً مع قانون العمل والعمال الأردني.


 من المزايا الاضافية التي نقدمها تغطية موظفينا بتأمين صحي شامل من الدرجة الأولى.


:البيئة والعلاقات المجتمعية


نعمل على تقليل استخدام السلع الاستهلاكية التي تستخدم لمرة واحدة، ونختار بدائل أكثر استدامة للتخفيف من إنتاج النفايات.


 نعطي الأولوية لشراء السلع والخدمات المستدامة، بما في ذلك اللوازم المكتبية ومواد تقديم الطعام والهدايا والمستلزمات المكتبية.


 نقلل من نفايات التغليف عن طريق الشراء بكميات كبيرة ونشجع الموردين على تبني ممارسات تغليف صديقة للبيئة.


 ندعو إلى تقنيات لتوفير الورق من خلال تنفيذ الطباعة على الوجهين أو طرق أخرى لتوفير الورق في آلات النسخ والطباعة الخاصة بنا.


 نستخدم منتجات التنظيف غير الخطرة والقابلة للتحلل، مع إعطاء الأولوية للمنتجات المعتمدة بملصقات بيئية عندما تكون متوفرة محلياً.


نعطي الأولوية لشراء المعدات ذات استهلاك طاقة منخفضة، مع مراعاة اعتبارات التكلفة والجودة والأثر البيئي.


 نسن تدابير للحد من هدر الكتيبات من خلال استخدام الكتيبات الرقمية.


- نراقب استهلاك الطاقة و نعمل على تخفيضه لتقليل بصمتنا البيئية.


: النقل


نختار خيار النقل الصديق للبيئة عند توفره ونوفر رحلات الدرجات الهوائية والمشي ضمن عروضنا وبرامجنا السياحية.


 نفضل استخدام مركبات أقل انبعاثاً للتلوث كالسيارات الكهربائية والهجينة.


 نعمل مع شركات النقل لتقليل استهلاك الوقود والحد من انبعاثات الكربون وضمان السلامة العامة للسياح.


 نعمل مع شركات النقل لتقليل استهلاك البلاستيك داخل الحافلات، بما في ذلك التوقف عن توفير عبوات المياه البلاستيكية.


 نعمل على ضمان توافر أدوات الإسعافات الأولية في الحافلات.


: الإقامة


نعطي الأولوية لأماكن الإقامة التي تتبع ممارسات الاستدامة ومعايير الجودة.


 نفضل أماكن الإقامة المملوكة والمدارة محلياً، وندعم التوظيف من المجتمعات المحلية.


 ندعو إلى تحسين الممارسات ونهدف إلى تقديم التدريب والتوعية على السياحة المسؤولة لشركائنا في المستقبل.


 نشجع أماكن الإقامة على تعبئة الاستبيانات المتعلقة بالاستدامة، مع التركيز على المعايير الرئيسية مثل مبادرات توفير المياه والطاقة، وإدارة النفايات، والمشاركة المجتمعية، وإدارة توفير الطعام والشراب وخدمة تنظيف الغرف.


 نبقى على تواصل دوري ومستمر مع شركائنا للاطلاع على التطورات.


 نوضح أهداف ومتطلبات الاستدامة الخاصة بنا لأماكن الإقامة المتعاقد معها، مع التأكيد على أهمية الحفاظ على البيئة ورفاهية المجتمع.


: الرحلات والأنشطة


نعطي الأولوية للرحلات والأنشطة التي تحترم الثقافات المحلية والحياة البرية والبيئة.


 ننصح الضيوف بالمعايير السلوكية المناسبة.


 نمتنع عن تقديم الرحلات التي تتضمن زيارة أماكن بها حياة برية أسيرة ونمتنع عن العمل مع جهات لديها ممارسات استغلال الحياة البرية غير الأخلاقية.


 ندعم السياحة المجتمعية والتذكارات المصنوعة محلياً.


: الأدلاء السياحيين والممثلين المحليين والمرشدين


نضمن ظروف عمل عادلة وآمنة لجميع العاملين معنا، ونوفر مدونة قواعد السلوك مع شروط وأحكام صريحة.


 نعطي الأولوية للعاملين المحليين ونكافئهم بأجر عادل ووفقاً للمعايير القانونية.


نقوم بتدريب الأدلاء السياحيين حول مسائل الاستدامة والأعراف الاجتماعية وحقوق الإنسان داخل مجتمعاتنا المحلية.


 نطلب من الأدلاء السياحيين بتوفير تغذية راجعة مفصلة عن كل رحلة لمكتبنا.


 نوفر معلومات للدليل ليقوم بدوره بنقلها للسياح بما يتعلق بالممارسات المسؤولة.


: الوجهة


ندعم جهود الحفاظ على التنوع البيولوجي ونمتنع عن الترويج للهدايا التذكارية التي تحتوي على أنواع النباتات المهددة بالانقراض أو القطع الأثرية التاريخية، بما يتماشى مع الاتفاقيات الدولية والقانون الأردني.


: التواصل مع السياح وحمايتهم


نعطي الأولوية لخصوصية السائح ونقدم معلومات واضحة ودقيقة ومتوازنة حول منتجاتنا وخدماتنا، بما في ذلك متطلبات الاستدامة.


 ندعو إلى بدائل مستدامة لعملائنا ونعزز العمل مع شركات محلية ونوفر برامج سياحية ذات خيارات نقل صديقة بالبيئة (رحلات الدراجات الهوائية والمشي لمسافات طويلة).


 نقدم معلومات شاملة للسياح قبل وأثناء وبعد تواجدهم في الأردن، بما في ذلك جهات الاتصال في حالات الطوارئ وإرشادات السلوك المسؤول.


 نسعى للحصول على الملاحظات والتغذية راجعة من السائح لتحسين خدماتنا ودمج الاستدامة في تقييمات رضا العملاء لدينا.
 

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