Introduction

Mayan Zone is a company specialized in tourism in Central America focused on the European market, dedicated to promote the culture and unique landscapes of the countries where we operate. We recognize and value Travelife’s support for the environment, and we are committed to being an environmentally friendly company. With this commitment in mind, we have developed a sustainability policy adapted to the characteristics of our company, which is small and virtual, operating with a small but dedicated team.
This sustainability policy establishes a reference framework to promote socially responsible behavior, adapting locally the necessary actions for compliance. Our goal is not only to comply with environmental standards, but also to contribute to the social and cultural development of the communities with which we interact.

Environmental management

Importance and Commitment
Environmental stewardship is fundamental to protecting natural resources and ensuring sustainable development. At Mayan Zone, we understand that our environmental impact can be significant, and we are committed to minimizing it. Protecting the environment is not only an ethical duty, but also an opportunity to improve our operational efficiency and strengthen our reputation as a responsible company.

Sustainable tourism practices:

• Promote respect for the natural environment in all our tourism activities, advising our clients on responsible tourism practices.
• Inform and sensitize our clients about the importance of responsible tourism and how they can contribute to the conservation of the environment during their trips.
• Encourage responsible visits to natural areas and protect local flora and fauna, avoiding any kind of damage or disturbance.
• Work with certified and local tour guides who know and respect the environmental and cultural regulations of the sites visited, ensuring an enriching and respectful experience for visitors.
• Implement “leave no trace” policies and reduce the use of plastics and other non-biodegradable materials during tourism activities.

Monitoring and continuous improvement:

• We will establish environmental performance indicators and regularly review our practices to identify areas for improvement.

Social responsibility

Importance and Commitment
Social responsibility is fundamental to the success and sustainability of any business, as it implies a commitment to the well-being of communities and the environment. At Mayan Zone, we understand that our actions can have a significant impact on the people and places with which we interact. Therefore, we integrate social responsibility into our operations to contribute positively to social and economic development.

Support to local communities:

• We collaborate with local suppliers and artisans to promote the regional economy.
• We donate to local causes that benefit the non-profit community.

Fair Working Conditions:

• We guarantee an inclusive, respectful and safe work environment for all our employees, ensuring equal opportunities.
• We provide fair wages and adequate benefits, complying with all applicable labor regulations.

Promotion of Local Culture:

• We strive to preserve and promote local culture through our tourism activities, respecting and valuing the traditions and customs of the communities visited.

Commitment to human rights

At Mayan Zone, we firmly reject any conduct that may violate human rights. Our priority is to consolidate an organizational culture in which Human Rights are scrupulously respected, promoting behaviors that demonstrate a deep respect for all people. To achieve this goal, we implement the following policies and practices:

Non-discrimination policy:

• We guarantee a work environment free of discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other personal characteristic.

Respect for labor rights:

• We ensure that all our employees and suppliers enjoy fair and safe working conditions. This includes the right to safe working conditions.
• Committed to paying competitive and fair wages that comply with local laws and international standards.
• We offer opportunities for professional development.

Prohibition of child labor:

• Mayan Zone strictly prohibits the use of child labor in all areas of our operations and those of our suppliers. We define child labor in accordance with applicable local laws, and we reject any form of employment that violates these standards.

Open communication:

• We foster a culture of open and honest communication in our company. We encourage our employees to express their concerns and suggestions about labor practices, and we ensure that they receive timely and appropriate responses and actions.

Labor Commitment

Importance of Labor Commitment
At mayan zone, it is critical to the success and sustainability of our company. Incorporating a strong commitment to fair labor practices and the well-being of our employees into our sustainability policy demonstrates our responsible and ethical human resource management. This not only helps to build a positive and productive work environment, but also ensures that we comply with international and local labor rights standards. Implementing these principles contributes to a motivated workforce, reduces employee turnover, and enhances our reputation as a responsible and ethical employer.

Safe working conditions:

• Contribute to maintaining work environments free of harassment and violent or offensive behavior towards people’s rights and dignity, and ensure that, should it occur, adequate procedures are in place to deal with and correct the problem.
• Provide ongoing training on workplace safety and conduct regular one-on-one sessions to identify possible complaints or suggestions.

Professional Development:

• Provide training and continuous development opportunities for employees to acquire new skills and advance their careers.
• Foster a culture of learning and growth within the company.

Comunication:

• Encourage open and effective communication between management and employees. Implement channels for employees to provide feedback on labor policies and suggest improvements.
• At Mayan Zone, we hold individual meetings with each of our employees every 15 days. These meetings are designed to promote their well-being by providing a space to discuss any concerns, suggestions or support needs they may have. We are committed to providing a safe and positive work environment in which each employee feels valued and listened to.

Equity and Diversity:

• Promote a culture of equity and diversity in the workplace, ensuring that all employees, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to grow and contribute.

Suppliers: Accomodation and Transportation

Effective supplier management is crucial to ensure that our services meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability. At Mayan Zone, we are committed to working with suppliers who share our values and standards, ensuring that our customers receive exceptional and responsible experiences.

Selection criteria:

• Establish clear and specific criteria for the selection of lodging and transportation providers, based on quality, safety, sustainability and compliance with local and international regulations.
• Verify that suppliers follow health and safety regulations for both transportation and accommodation to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for our customers.
• Should any concerns or indications of child exploitation arise in our supply chain or in any aspect of our operations, we will take immediate and decisive action to address the situation. This may include terminating contracts with suppliers involved in illegal or inappropriate activities, as well as working with relevant authorities to investigate and address the issue appropriately.

Social sustainability:

• Provide recommendations on sustainable practices and energy efficiency for drivers and staff of private transportation companies.
• Maintain vehicles in a good state of maintenance and optimize their performance to reduce fuel consumption.
• Commitment: It is important to have the support of the top management of each company to implement the sustainability policy effectively.
• Provide recycling containers in vehicles to encourage the recycling of waste generated during trips.

Collaboration and communication:

• Foster effective collaboration with suppliers, maintaining open and transparent communication to resolve issues and continuously improve our services.
• Work with suppliers to resolve any issues that may arise, ensuring that corrective action is taken to avoid recurrences.
• The company is responsible for ensuring that suppliers are aware of any changes in our policies or procedures that may affect their collaboration.

Excursions and destinations

Excursions and destinations are an essential part of the experience we offer at Mayan Zone. We work with a variety of destinations in Guatemala, Belize and Honduras, each with its own cultural, historical and natural characteristics. These destinations offer our clients unique opportunities to explore and enjoy, while we are committed to doing so in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Effective tour and destination management is crucial to ensuring that our operations are sustainable and beneficial to both clients and local communities. In working with these destinations, we are committed to:

Respect the Natural and Cultural Environment:

• Ensure that our tours and activities do not cause harm to the environment and local communities. This includes respecting conservation regulations and promoting responsible tourism practices.
• Designing excursions that minimize environmental impact, using low-impact practices and ensuring that activities are respectful of the natural environment.
• Avoid any activity that could be considered intrusive or disrespectful.
• Encourage respectful interactions between clients and local communities. Avoid behavior that could be considered invasive or derogatory to local traditions and customs.
• Support and promote local arts, music, and traditions through our excursions, including visits to workshops, cultural events, and local markets.

Customer Education and Awareness:

• Provide clients with detailed information on sustainable practices and cultural expectations prior to excursions.
• Explain cultural respect during excursions to ensure a respectful and unforgettable experience for the client and the environment.
• Mayan Zone urges its clients to act with respect and responsibility towards minors and to report to us any suspected child labor situations in the locations they visit.
• If a client commits a minor infraction related to wildlife species at Mayan Zone, we will take the following actions:
  • Immediate Intervention: The situation will be addressed in a respectful but firm manner, educating the client about our wildlife conservation policies and requesting their cooperation in stopping the offending activity.
  • Recording the Violation: The violation will be recorded and pertinent details will be collected to document the incident and its resolution.
  • Education and Awareness: Educational information will be provided to the client on the importance of respecting wildlife and the local ecosystem, highlighting how their behavior can have a negative impact on the environment and local communities.
  • Commitment to Implement as Sustainable Policy: We will consider implementing this experience as part of our sustainable policy for the future, using incidents such as this to educate customers and encourage more responsible practices. This may include creating specific educational materials, such as brochures or orientation talks prior to excursions, to promote respect for wildlife.
• We are committed to not allowing the purchase of souvenirs containing endangered species of flora and fauna, historical or archeological artifacts obtained illegally, as well as drugs or illegal substances. We strictly comply with local and international laws in force to prevent the acquisition and commercialization of these products. In addition, as part of our commitment to the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage, we do not allow the purchase of such items during our excursions or activities. We believe it is essential to promote responsible consumption practices that respect the environment and local communities, and we strive to ensure that our operations are aligned with these principles at all times.
  • Wildlife Items:
    • Exotic bird feather bracelets (for example, quetzal feathers).
    • Handbags or belts made of reptile skin (such as iguana or caiman skin).
  • Protected Flora Products:
    • Furniture made of mahogany or rosewood, baskets or handicrafts woven with protected plants (such as certain species of palms).
  • Souvenirs Made with Coral or Shells:
    • Red coral necklaces or seashell bracelets from endangered species.
  • Objects of Stolen Cultural Heritage:
    • Mayan figurines or statuettes that have been illegally removed from archaeological sites.
    • Ancient ceramics that do not have a certificate of authenticity.
  • Prohibited Foods:
    • Sauces or products containing fish of endangered species, such as parrot fish.
  • Illegal Drugs or Products:
    • Any type of prohibited substance, including plants such as marijuana, which may be subject to local legislation.
  • Souvenirs that Encourage Exploitation:
    • T-shirts or souvenirs that depict negative stereotypes about indigenous communities.
    • Items that promote tourist exploitation of local cultures in a derogatory manner.ión:

Collaboration with local suppliers:

• Ensure that a portion of the revenue generated from excursions indirectly benefits local communities.
• Work closely with local communities to ensure that they benefit from our operations and thus promote local employment.

Clients: Privacy, Security and Feedback Management

Protecting the privacy and security of our customers is a top priority for Mayan zone. We are committed to ensuring that all of our customers’ personal information is handled with the utmost confidentiality and security. In addition, we strive to provide exceptional service both pre- and post-trip, ensuring a safe and satisfying experience at all times. Effective management of customer feedback also helps us to continually improve our services and maintain high quality standards.

Privacy Protection:

• Ensure that all data is stored and handled securely, in compliance with applicable data protection laws.
• Limit access to customers’ personal information only to authorized employees who need such information to perform their jobs.

Pre-trip security:

• Perform verification processes to ensure that all bookings and trip details are correct and confirmed.
• Provide customers with clear and accurate information about their itinerary and any relevant details.
• Provide customers with emergency contact information and support during the planning phase and prior to departure to resolve any issues or concerns that may arise.

Safety during the trip:

• Provide continuous support to clients during their trip, ensuring that they have access to assistance in case of any problems or emergencies.
• Ensure that service providers (transportation, hotels, guides, etc.) meet high safety standards to guarantee a safe experience for our clients.
• Maintain an open channel of communication so that clients can report any incident or concern immediately.
• Contact Information: Clients are provided with a contact phone number so that they can report any uncomfortable or inappropriate situations they may experience during the excursion.
• Promoting a Respectful Environment: Throughout the excursion, emphasis is placed on the importance of treating everyone with respect and dignity, fostering a positive and safe environment.
• Shared Responsibility
• We encourage our clients to be mindful of their behavior and support a safe environment for everyone, including children.

Safety after the trip:

• Follow up with customers after their trip to verify their satisfaction and resolve any problems they may have experienced.
• Review any incidents that occurred during the trip to identify areas for improvement and adjust policies and procedures as necessary.

Opinion management:

• Invite customers to provide feedback and comments on their travel experiences.
• Analyze customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to our services.
• Thank customers for their feedback and demonstrate that their opinions are valued and taken into account.
• Establish a clear process for handling complaints and grievances, ensuring that they are resolved effectively and in a timely manner.
• Provide appropriate responses and solutions to customer concerns.