Khiri Travel to go carbon-neutral from January 2021
Khiri Travel is introducing comprehensive offsetting program with ClimateCare.
The DMC is also offering new low emissions ‘slow travel’ holiday options.
Asian DMC Khiri Travel is on its way to becoming fully carbon neutral.
As part of its approach to take responsibility for its impact on the environment, Khiri Travel has partnered with climate and sustainable development experts ClimateCare. The result will be the complete offsetting of carbon emissions for Khiri guests’ holidays and Khiri’s own operations, starting in January 2021. This includes CO2 emissions generated by all of Khiri’s offices in seven Asian destinations, staff commuting, and all business travel by Khiri employees.
Once travellers arrive in Southeast Asia, Khiri Travel will offset carbon emissions for guest trips by charging US$1.50 per person per day. The aim is to offset entire itineraries, including accommodation, activities and transport. Funds will go to ClimateCare’s best-in-class carbon reduction projects in the Asian region.
Herman Hoven the CEO of Khiri Travel said that Khiri had calculated the average carbon footprint of its itineraries. As a result, a carbon offset rate of US$1.50 per person per day will be automatically added to each travel proposal to partners. Hoven said that partners would have the possibility to opt out if they had their own carbon offsetting program in place. “Otherwise the US$1.50 fee will apply,” he said.
“Our overall aim is to do our best to improve environmental management and decrease any negative impacts on our destinations,” said Hoven. “We want to ensure that not only Khiri as a company, but all our operations on the ground, are carbon neutral.”
ClimateCare’s Director of Partnerships, Robert Stevens, said: “We work with forward-thinking organisations such as Khiri Travel to turn their climate responsibilities into positive outcomes, which also support sustainable development.”
To further reduce CO2 emissions, Khiri Travel has introduced a new product line: “Rediscovering The Art of Slow Travel”. In these trips there will be no regional flights. All transport will be by train, car or boat. Itineraries will typically be a minimum of 15 days. Accommodation will be vetted against Khiri’s social, cultural and environmental criteria. And excursions will benefit the host communities, mostly in less developed regions.
“By offering longer duration trips in-destination, with much less flying, Khiri’s guests will greatly reduce their carbon footprint,” said Nia Klatte, Khiri Travel’s Regional Sustainability Coordinator. “It also gives guests time to slow down and immerse themselves in the local area.”
On climate action, Khiri’s position is to follow current advice from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which recommends cutting global carbon emissions to 55% of 2017 levels by 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5 o C (2.7 o F).
Khiri Travel’s climate position is explained here. Its climate emergency strategy is here. Khiri Travel is a signatory of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency. Additional information: khiri.com.
About Khiri Travel
Since 1993, Khiri Travel has won awards and earned a reputation as a destination management company dedicated to working with select tour operators to provide quality leisure travel experiences across Asia. With offices in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka (which has responsibility for the Maldives), Khiri Travel’s entrepreneurial associates craft innovative itineraries that reflect their passion for authentic, local and sustainable experiences. Visit khiri.com
About ClimateCare
ClimateCare is a Profit with Purpose business which works with forward-thinking organisations to help turn their climate responsibilities into positive outcomes. Since 1997, ClimateCare and its partners have cut over 43 million tonnes of CO2 and improved 41 million lives around the world by financing, managing and developing climate projects.
With more than 20 years’ experience as a leader in the global carbon markets and climate change sector, ClimateCare works with major public and private sector clients to fund sustainable development projects that reduce carbon emissions at scale, measurably increase quality of life and deliver towards the UN Global Goals. ClimateCare also advises on a range of climate change mitigation and adaptation subjects, from large scale implementation to national climate change policies.
ClimateCare is currently ranked the number one B Corp in the UK. B Corp is a global movement of more than 2,500 purpose-driven companies that are using business as a force for good. ClimateCare operates globally from offices in Oxford, UK and Nairobi, Kenya.
Contact Khiri Travel
Head Office | 226/9 Soi Tiwanon 24 | Tiwanon Road, Bangkasor | Muang, Nonthaburi 11000 Thailand. Tel: (+66) [0] 2968 6828 Email: travel.trade@khiri.com Website: http://khiri.com/
Featured image (top of post): Little Home at Phu Langka National Park in Phayao Province, Thailand. Image supplied by Khiri Travel.
