Operating sustainably
We have achieved Travelife Partner recognition
Travelife Partner is the entry recognition level within the international Travelife sustainability programme for tour operators and travel agents. This recognition confirms our commitment to further improving the sustainability of our business operations through a structured sustainability management system and the implementation of recognised sustainability practices.
Travelife Partner recognition is awarded following an independent assessment based on the Travelife Partner criteria. During this assessment, our sustainability policy, objectives, management system, implementation of key sustainability practices and supporting documentation are evaluated against 60 mandatory sustainability criteria.
To maintain this recognition, our company is independently reassessed every two years to verify that we continue to comply with the Travelife Partner criteria.
Travelife Partner also provides the basis for progressing to the highest recognition level: Travelife Certified. This recognition is awarded following a comprehensive independent on-site audit based on the Travelife Certified criteria. This standard comprises more than 200 mandatory sustainability criteria and verifies the implementation of sustainability management and sustainability practices throughout the entire organisation.
More information about the Travelife programme, the different recognition levels, the validity of our current Travelife Partner recognition and the Travelife criteria can be found on the Travelife information website for travelers.
Our Mission
Our core mission is to deliver high quality, responsible, sustainable tourism activities. Through these activities, we want to empower our guests to enjoy the very best Dubai experiences whilst leaving a positive impact on the environments they visit and celebrating the local communities who inspire our experiences.
Preserving our home
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is one the UAE’s largest protected nature reserves. Covering approximately five percent of Dubai land mass, the space provides a shielded environment for local flora and fauna to flourish.
Our strategic partnership with the DDCR means we operate our desert safaris within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and work closely with the DDCR to align with its overall protection goals.
Working in harmony, we have created a safari experience which: prioritises the promotion of local nature and culture; is certified by the DDCR to provide more information on the fauna, flora, geology and cultural aspects of the reserve; considers sustainable tourism within all aspects of the tour, including environmental impact and waste management; provides a ‘citizen scientist’ approach by recording wildlife observations and reporting them back to the reserve; routed to ensure that the wildlife is not adversely affected.
Animal welfare
We love our animals. They’re the cornerstone of our team, and we dedicate a great deal of effort to making sure they’re safe, healthy and happy.
We ensure the welfare and ethical treatment of animals throughout our excursions and experiences, and those of our suppliers. We take great care to conduct any activities or interactions involving animals in a responsible and respectful manner, adhering to strict guidelines and international standards.
Sustainability Policy
We are committed to conducting our business ethically – with a focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
Our Sustainability Policy details our existing practices and our ongoing commitment to deliver our services in a responsible manner while providing an innovative and varied product offering to our valued customers.
The full policy is available here.
Empowering our communities
Supporting Al Noor
We’ve been sharing training experiences with individuals at the Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities since 2010. It continues to be our pleasure to support the Centre by equipping individuals with the work and social skills required for future employment and a successful role in society.
Supporting Education
Our desert safaris are led by safari guides with extensive knowledge of the local wildlife, flora and fauna. We have supported their development to achieve higher level certifications, required as a prerequisite for DDCR safaris. Together with Dubai Tourism (DTCM) and Dubai Training College, we have helped design the new safari guide training curriculum, which has been rolled out as a standard requirement for guides in Dubai.
Local Employment
As per national guidelines and Emirates Group initiatives, we provide opportunities for local candidates to join us on their employment journey. This approach aligns with our wider recruitment and employee policy of equal opportunity for employment, development and promotion. It is important to us that we always act with care and consistency when handling employee matters.
Desert clean ups and recycling
The desert is home to many species of wildlife. To respect the habitat in which they live, we complete quarterly desert clean ups that are open to both teams across the business and the public. Desert clean ups are held in the unprotected areas outside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to ensure litter does not build up and potentially disturb the area’s inhabitants.
Celebrating Emirati culture
Rooted in Emirati heritage
We take every opportunity to showcase Emirati culture and celebrate the role local influences play in shaping our experiences.
By embedding Emirati heritage into our operations, Bedouin culture, heritage and tradition sits at the heart of the desert safari experience. At our desert camps, we share Emirati culture through our welcome of traditional coffee and dates, and our camp artisans present their Emirati-inspired handmade crafts for guests to enjoy. Our city tours showcase both old and new Dubai, sharing the rich traditions and cultures showcased across the city whilst embracing its path towards the future.
Showcasing the UAE to the world
From its foundation in 1971 to the present day, the United Arab Emirates has nurtured the vision of its founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to transform into a destination with a respected standing on the world stage. Its strategic position at the crossroads of the world allows the United Arab Emirates to welcome visitors in their millions, from every corner of the world, to experience the warmth of Emirati culture and hospitality.
Encouraging ethical practices
While we encourage our guests to create lasting memories with us, we do prohibit certain souvenirs and goods. Guided by the rules and regulations set out by Dubai Customs, we restrict the sale/collection of any souvenirs which contradict our efforts to preserve local wildlife or may have been obtained through activities which carry the possibility of harm to protected fauna and/or their habitat.