Sustainability

Sustainability

🌱 MOIRA TRAVEL 

Unique Ephesus Tours is a brand of Moira Travel,


Sustainability Policy

1. Purpose 


Moira Travel is committed to promoting sustainable tourism practices.

The purpose of this policy is to continuously improve our environmental performance, encourage responsible behavior, and actively seek sustainable solutions across all areas of tourism in which we operate. Through responsible management, we aim to minimize negative environmental, social, and cultural impacts while maximizing positive contributions to destinations and communities.


2. Scope

This policy applies to all Moira Travel  employees, including freelance and contracted tour guides.It is communicated to all suppliers, partners, and clients.The Sustainability Coordinator is responsible for the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of this policy.


3. Mission

Our mission is to foster a sustainable society and responsible tourism by raising awareness among employees, suppliers, partners, and travelers.
We strive to reduce and mitigate environmental impacts while actively contributing to local communities, cultural preservation, and long-term destination resilience.


4. Sustainability Management & Legal Compliance



  • Moira Travel’s management fully supports and commits to this Sustainability Policy.

  • We monitor, evaluate, and report our sustainability performance through the Travelife platform.

  • Our sustainability progress is publicly reported at least every two years.

  • We commit to continuous improvement through dedicated personnel, training, and resources.

  • We comply with all applicable local, regional, national, and international legislation related to:

    • Human resources and labor rights

    • Human rights and children’s rights

    • Land rights and land use

    • Environmental protection, wildlife conservation, and biodiversity

  • We uphold a strict Code of Ethics with zero tolerance for corruption, bribery, forced labor, child labor, discrimination, or exploitation, and expect the same standards from our partners and suppliers.


5. Internal Management

5.1 Social Policy & Human Rights

  • We provide fair and equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, age, race, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.

  • We ensure a safe, healthy, inclusive, and respectful working environment.

  • We support professional development and encourage employee participation in sustainability initiatives.


6. Environmental Management in Office Operations

Moira Travel minimizes its direct environmental footprint by applying circular economy principles and the 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle.

Our actions include:

  • Full compliance with environmental legislation

  • Monitoring and reducing energy, water, and waste consumption

  • Purchasing office supplies locally, in bulk, sustainably certified, and with minimal packaging

  • Printing only when necessary using FSC-certified or recycled paper, double-sided and grayscale

  • Using energy-efficient lighting and equipment, switched off or in sleep mode when not in use

  • Implementing water-saving measures in office facilities

  • Waste separation (plastic, paper, organic, metal, glass, hazardous waste, e-waste, landfill)

  • Minimizing noise, light, and air pollution


7. Land Use

Our office is located in a historical area. We fully respect land-use regulations and prioritize sustainable architecture, preservation principles, and responsible space usage.


8. Supplier Policy

Moira Travel is committed to responsible sourcing and long-term partnerships.

We prioritize suppliers who:

  • Are locally owned and employ local staff

  • Use seasonal and locally sourced products

  • Support community development initiatives

  • Have sustainability policies and/or GSTC-recognized certifications

All suppliers are required to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct, including:

  • Compliance with all relevant regulations

  • Respect for human, labor, children’s, and women’s rights

  • Fair wages and safe working conditions

  • Zero tolerance for corruption, bribery, extortion, or discrimination

  • Protection of children from sexual exploitation in tourism

  • Protection of the environment and natural resources

  • Active support for local communities


9. Transport Policy

  • Clients are informed about public transportation options whenever feasible.

  • Group transportation is optimized using appropriately sized, fuel-efficient vehicles.

  • Overland transport is preferred for short distances; unnecessary domestic flights are avoided.

  • Clients are encouraged to offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to their travel.


10. Activities & Excursions

  • We prioritize activities that respect the environment, protect biodiversity, and benefit local communities.

  • We do not sell or promote activities involving captive wildlife or animal exploitation.

  • Excursion providers must comply with our sustainability and animal welfare standards.

  • Partners are offered free access to the Travelife learning platform for sustainability training.


11. Local Guides

  • All guides are officially licensed and members of TÜREB (Union of Turkish Tourist Guides Chambers).

  • Guides receive regular training, including:

    • Responsible tourism practices

    • Child protection awareness

    • Cultural and environmental interpretation

  • Guides act as sustainability ambassadors, encouraging responsible visitor behavior.


12. Destinations

  • We actively participate in destination development initiatives and stakeholder workshops, including cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism.

  • We promote local culture, local cuisine, traditional crafts, and cultural heritage preservation.

  • We support the protection of natural and cultural resources and educate travelers on responsible behavior.

  • We proudly support the TEMA Foundation to strengthen our environmental commitments.


13. Customer Communication & Protection

Before Booking

  • Provide clear and accurate travel information and consultation

  • Ensure data protection and privacy

  • Follow ethical marketing practices with no misleading claims

During Travel

  • Inform guests about natural environments, cultural heritage, and local customs

  • Provide emergency contact details and procedures

  • Maintain high health and safety standards


14. Customer Experience

Our policies ensure high-quality and responsible travel experiences, including:

  • Health and safety procedures

  • Emergency protocols

  • Data privacy protection

  • Responsible group size management

  • Sustainable transport practices and GHG awareness

  • Responsible shopping guidelines

  • Prevention of child labor and sexual exploitation in tourism

  • Complaint handling procedures and customer satisfaction surveys

We encourage open communication and actively collect feedback, particularly related to sustainability performance.


15. Conclusion

Moira Travel is committed to integrating sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

By actively engaging employees, suppliers, partners, and travelers, we strive to contribute to a responsible, ethical, and resilient tourism sector that benefits local communities, protects cultural heritage, and safeguards the planet for future generations


16.Sustainable Best Practice – Supporting Responsible Guiding and Low-Impact Touring

At Moira Travel, we believe that licensed professional guides play a key role in sustainable tourism by protecting cultural heritage, supporting local communities, and improving visitor awareness. For this reason, we prioritize working with experienced licensed guides who actively promote responsible visitor behavior during tours.

Our guides inform guests about respecting archaeological sites, minimizing environmental impact, supporting local artisans instead of mass-produced souvenirs, and following animal welfare principles. They also encourage travelers to reduce waste, avoid single-use plastics where possible, and respect local traditions and communities.

In addition, we prioritize cooperation with transport suppliers operating modern low-emission vehicles (Euro 6 standard where available) and encourage the use of smaller group sizes and private touring formats that reduce pressure on crowded heritage locations.

Through these practices, we aim not only to improve the travel experience for our guests but also to contribute to the long-term protection of Turkey’s cultural and natural heritage while supporting local economies.


17.Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy


At Moira Travel, we are committed to conducting our business with integrity, transparency, and fairness. We strictly oppose all forms of corruption, bribery, extortion, and unethical business practices in accordance with the principles of the UN Global Compact.

We do not offer, request, accept, or tolerate any form of improper payment, gift, commission, or advantage intended to influence business decisions or gain unfair benefit. This applies to all employees, guides, suppliers, partners, and representatives acting on behalf of our company.

Moira Travel expects all team members and business partners to:

  • Act honestly and transparently in all professional activities
  • Refuse any form of bribery or facilitation payments
  • Avoid conflicts of interest that may influence business decisions
  • Comply with applicable national and international laws
  • Report any suspected unethical behavior or corruption risks

We also ensure that our staff are informed about ethical business conduct through internal communication and awareness practices. When selecting suppliers and partners, we prioritize organizations that share our commitment to responsible and transparent operations.

Any violation of this policy may result in termination of cooperation or contractual relationships.

Through these principles, Moira Travel aims to contribute to a fair, responsible, and trustworthy tourism sector.


18.Fair Competition and Anti-Trust Compliance Policy


At Moira Travel, we are committed to conducting all business activities in full compliance with applicable competition laws and anti-trust regulations, including European Union competition law and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.


We do not engage in any practices that may restrict fair competition or distort the market. In particular, Moira Travel strictly prohibits:

  • Agreements with competitors to fix prices or control market conditions
  • Sharing sensitive commercial information with competitors
  • Market allocation or customer allocation arrangements
  • Abuse of dominant market position
  • Any form of unfair competition or misleading commercial behavior

We believe that fair competition promotes innovation, service quality, and long-term sustainability within the tourism sector. Therefore, all employees, suppliers, and business partners working with Moira Travel are expected to comply with these principles.

Any suspected violation of competition laws or unethical market practices will be addressed promptly and may result in termination of cooperation.

Through this commitment, Moira Travel supports transparent, ethical, and responsible business practices in line with international standards.



19.Ethical Conduct Reporting and Response Policy

At Moira Travel, we encourage a workplace culture where employees feel safe and confident to raise concerns about ethical issues without fear of retaliation.

All staff members are expected to follow our Code of Ethics in their daily professional activities. If an ethical concern arises, employees are encouraged to discuss the issue openly with management or report it directly through internal communication channels.

When a potential violation of the ethical code occurs, the company:

  • Reviews the situation objectively and confidentially
  • Discusses the issue with the involved staff member(s)
  • Provides guidance or additional training if necessary
  • Takes corrective action where appropriate
  • Implements preventive measures to avoid repetition

Moira Travel treats ethical compliance as a continuous learning process and supports staff in improving awareness through communication and internal guidance.

Repeated or serious violations may result in disciplinary action or termination of cooperation when necessary.

Through this approach, we aim to maintain a transparent, respectful, and responsible working environment.

20.Supply Chain Liability Declaration


Moira Travel hereby declares that we do not knowingly cooperate with, contract with, or maintain business relationships with any entities that have been successfully prosecuted for forced labor, human rights violations, or serious environmental offenses.

We are committed to working with suppliers and partners who share our values regarding ethical labor practices, environmental responsibility, and sustainable tourism operations. When selecting and monitoring our suppliers, we aim to ensure alignment with internationally recognized standards, including responsible employment conditions and environmental protection principles.

If any concerns arise regarding supplier compliance with these standards, Moira Travel reviews the situation carefully and takes appropriate action when necessary, including reconsidering or terminating cooperation.

Through this commitment, we support responsible supply chain management and contribute to a more ethical and sustainable tourism sector.

21.Liability Insurance Statement

Moira Travel ensures that all employees are covered by liability protection in accordance with national legislation. In Türkiye, employee protection in case of work-related accidents and occupational risks is provided through the national Social Security Institution (SGK).

All employees of our company are officially registered with SGK, and employer contributions are paid regularly in compliance with legal requirements. Through this coverage, employees are entitled to benefits related to work-related accidents and occupational health risks as defined by applicable legislation.

Moira Travel remains committed to maintaining a safe working environment and fulfilling all legal responsibilities regarding employee protection and workplace safety. 

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