SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

LIGHTEN UP YOUR FOOTPRINT

Portugal Nature Trails

Our Sustainable Path

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines Sustainable Tourism as one that makes adequate use of natural resources, by respecting the sociocultural authenticity of the visited communities, in this way ensuring the long-term viability of the economic activities. When we travel sustainably, we explore new destinations while showing respect for the local culture, environment, and people. This involves preserving local traditions, and natural resources, and valuing the communities we visit. By using local transportation or purchasing their products, we help create value and improve the overall quality of life for the locals. Additionally, this contributes to job opportunities in the area.

At Portugal Nature Trails (PNT), we believe that engaging in hiking and biking tourism can positively impact people’s lives by promoting positive changes in their attitudes and behaviors. As such, we prioritize the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism as a guiding document for all our activities.

When we travel, it’s important to find a balance between what we receive and what we give back to the places we visit. Our top priority is always to respect the local customs, people, traditions, and environment. We see travel as a mutual exchange between ourselves and the world, and we believe that by creating meaningful experiences and contributing to the communities we visit, we can make a positive impact on our planet.

We are working alongside Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to maintain our position while also preserving ecosystems and natural resources for future generations.

​ We invite you to join us on this mission.

Traveling with us you can do more than you think. Here is part of our contribution.

Sustainable Turism
Sustainable Turism
Sustainable Turism
Sustainable Turism

Our responsibility

Tourism is an amazing way to explore new places, cultures, people, and traditions. However, it’s important to acknowledge the potential negative impact it can have. Here at Portugal Nature Trails, we prioritize offering our customers a fulfilling experience while also considering the significance of responsible choices that minimize harm to the environment.

To ensure our commitment to environmental sustainability, we have taken a series of measures aimed at reducing our ecological footprint. By doing so, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to promoting eco-friendly travel and sustainable practices within our industry.

  1. Print only when necessary and opt for recycled paper whenever possible
  2. Recycling by separating our garbage in both the office and during tours
  3. Provide our clients with a reusable water bottle instead of using single-use materials
  4. Choosing to use reusable dishes instead of the more commonly used disposable ones
  5. Support local businesses by choosing to consume products that are both local and in season
  6. Prioritize using local transportation services and hiring local guides
  7. 7. Investing in the circular economy by donating equipment and purchasing second-hand furniture and equipment
  8. Share the local culture and history of the places visited, with the goal of providing knowledge about the people and locations
  9. Contribute to local development by prioritizing contracting local businesses
  10. Committed to gender equality from the beginning of our worker selection process. We apply policies and measures that ensure equal opportunities for all genders during the contracting process.
  11. Invest in continuous training and offer internships to provide students with valuable experience in the tourism industry.

As valued clients, we would like to offer some helpful tips for responsible tourism. If you are exploring by bike or on foot, it’s clear that you care about the environment. While travel can have positive and negative effects, we can all do our part to promote a healthier balance between tourism and local communities. Here are some ideas to help you support sustainable tourism:

  1. Use reusable water bottles that can be refilled. If possible, bring your own bottle with you.
  2. Avoid using single-use plastics.
  3. Limit printing and paper usage and make use of the apps that we made available to access the necessary information. Our material was carefully crafted with love and effort to provide you with all the required information.
  4. Promote local development by acquiring local products. Take advantage of the chance to explore the unique culinary offerings of every region you visit.
  5. Follow the designated routes and be respectful of private property. If you come across rural gates during your journey, please leave them in the same condition as you found them (open or closed).
  6. Sometimes, people who travel on foot, horse, or bicycle may use the same route. It’s important to show respect to others who share the same path.
  7. As a responsible visitor, please ensure that you properly dispose of any trash or garbage that you produce. Kindly place them in the designated areas.
  8. Be polite and show respect towards the local communities, their heritage, and customs.
  9. Refrain from creating loud noises or displaying attitudes that may disrupt the peace of the area.
  10. Keep a safe distance from animals and refrain from feeding them. Do not collect plants, animals, or geological samples.
  11. When taking pictures, it’s important to be respectful. Photographs capture special moments and the beauty of the scenery. Always ask for permission before taking someone’s picture.
Portugal Nature Trails

Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF)

As a  member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), we’re committed to values that drive a necessary movement to change travel so that it benefits the businesses, the people, and the environment of the places we travel. With this in mind, we are also a member of the ATCF. This membership is not only because the tourism industry is highly dependent on the conservation of the world’s natural resources, and the socioeconomic stability of local communities, but also because we care about our planet, our home.
Adventure Travel Conservation Fund

Be informed, Buy Informed

We are engaged with it because “it is critical that the travel industry takes an active role in helping to maintain natural wildlife and ecosystems. This includes educating travelers about Wildlife traffic, especially as it relates to making smart purchasing choices that don’t harm endangered populations. This is a big task, but an essential one, in order to save the world’s most iconic species and safeguard the opportunity for future generations to enjoy and appreciate them as well.”
(ATTA, 2017).

Seeds Of Joy logo

Seeds of Joy

Like a small seed, with this project, we intend to sow and grow some dreams in the places that are usually our tourist destinations. From handing out notebooks to a small school or playing games with children from an inhospitable territory, we seek the support of our friends, customers, and fans to achieve these goals. So, if you have any idea of any “seed” we can sow, tell us and we can see it grow together. You are part of this!

Book Self-Guided

We make it happen.

Book Guided

We make it happen.