Nutty’s Adventures – Sustainable Tourism

Nutty’s Adventures is fully committed to the concept of Community-Based Tourism; tourism that will bring benefit to all parties involved. This means working closely with small rural communities, often in quite remote parts of the country.  By their nature, these communities and the environment in which they are located are fragile. environments: if benefits are to be gained by the communities, the company and our customers in the long term, serious concrete steps must be taken to safeguard the communities, their cultures and their natural environments; steps to protect them from physical and cultural degradation. It is therefore a prerequisite of CBT that it be sustainable.

We have established long-terms goals for improving the suitability of our company’s operations, as laid down in this Sustainability Policy and in our biennial action plans, and we have appointed Sustainability Manager to coordinate all sustainability efforts throughout the company and ensure we meet these goals.

We work and collaborate with other national and international bodies dedicated to improved sustainability in the tourism industry. For example, Tourlink and the
Thailand Responsible Tourism Association, of which we are founder member.

• Low impact – the numbers of visitors to each community are kept small by rotating arrivals among a number of different communities.

• Each party of arrival is kept small (2-8 persons)

• All clients are briefed in advance on how to behave in a culturally sensitive way during their stay in the village.

•  Community enterprises that strengthen the cohesion of the community are supported.

• Clients are encouraged to support the local economy.

• All local transport employed is low-impact village transport.

• Wherever possible we try to create additional employment in the community to help keep families together and provide alternatives to illegal or detrimental activities.

• We promote local culture and traditions to help keep them alive for future generations.

• Preference is given to locally owned hotels that incorporate elements of local culture into the architecture and to community guesthouses and lodges that are run by the local people.

• Where possible we buy products from local communities that we can use in our office and during our tours: organic cleaning products, coffee, snacks, handicrafts, etc.

• A careful lookout is kept at all times for any form or exploitation, sexual or otherwise, of local people, in particular women and children.

• Along with instilling pride in their traditional culture heritage, we also endeavour to instill pride among community members in their natural heritage, as the two are often intimately entwined. With pride in these aspects of their life, from knowing that visitors have come half away round the world to experience them, will come the desire to preserve them.

• The additional employment and economic stimulus that visitors will bring may reduce harmful activities such as illegal logging and poaching, and so aid the cause of environmental protection.

• The company’s activities extend beyond CBT however and we are engaged in more general tourism activities: soft adventure and activity holidays, general sightseeing, beach breaks and Teach and Travel programmes.

• Our commitment to sustainable operations extends to all of these areas, influencing our choice of hotels, transport and activities.

• All our tours are structured in a way to reduce their environmental impact and all associated transport, with a strong preference for public surface transport rather than flights or private transport.

• All food is purchased locally, to boost the local economy and reduce any impact on the environment.

• Trekking, kayaking, rafting and cycling are major activities in many of our programmes.

• We avoid environmentally harmful activities such as off-road racing, mountain biking, zip lining, etc.

• Captive animals are featured in our tours only if they are humanely treated, well housed, well fed and with good medical care. Only domesticated animals may be used for riding and no animals used for performing tricks.

• Wild animals may only be viewed from afar with no interaction with people.

• We will not include in our tour programmes any destinations or activities in whichtourism may lead to structural negative local effects in terms of biodiversity, waste, sanitation, human rights and healthcare, water, energy and food availability.

• If  such risks are indicated in any existing tour or activity  then it will be removed from our programme of tours.

• When selecting new destinations or activities one of the foremost considerations will always be its accessibility. Can it be reached by public transport or conventional private transport. We will not include any location that access to it may cause environmental damage or any way have a detrimental effect on the local way of life. 

• Where available, preference is given to activities and excursions which operate on the basis of acknowledged and controlled sustainability standards.

• All activities and excursions included in our tours are assessed for possible negative impacts on local cultures and the environment, including flora and fauna.

• Where necessary guidelines for specific activities are given to our guides where required.

• The conduct of sensitive excursions is covered in our agreements with partner agencies and included in our staff and guide training.

• The company offers no activities that harm humans, animals, plants, natural resources (e.g., water/energy), or which are socially/culturally unacceptable.

• Excursions and attractions in which captive wildlife is held are not offered, except for properly regulated activities in compliance with local, national and international law. In case of living specimens of protected and other wildlife species, these are only kept by those authorized and suitably equipped to house and care for them humanely.

• Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilization is sustainable and in compliance with local, national and international law.

• Any captive animals featured in our tours have been acquired legally and in accordance with CITES. Captive animals shall only be kept by those authorized and suitably equipped to house and care for them humanely.

• Excursions that include interactions with animals comply with relevant codes of conduct. Taking into account cumulative impacts of wildlife tourism, our activities shall not lead to any adverse effects on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild. Disturbance of natural ecosystems shall be minimized, rehabilitated, and compensated by a contribution to conservation management.

• All office practices are geared to reducing consumption and waste.

• Use of water and electricity are monitored, and goals set for their reduction.

• Use of paper and all office supplies are also monitored, and the aim is to reduce the use of paper by 5% per year.

• Find a source of recycled paper that is more sustainably produced than the paper we are currently using.

• Only non-toxic cleaning materials and water-based paints are used in the office.

• We actively aim to reduce the use of disposable and consumer goods.

• Where possible we purchase products in bulk, to reduce the amount of packaging materials.

• We have a policy commitment to monitor carbon emission from company travel and compensate for it. Business travel is minimized using video conferencing.

• We are seeking a suitable carbon offset project to counter our office and business travel emissions.

• Comply with the national legislation concerning waste disposal.

• All waste that can be recycled, is recycled.

• We have eliminated all single-use plastic from our office and our operations.

• Printing is kept to a minimum.

• Batteries are safely disposed of.

• All vehicles used by the company are fully insured and regularly serviced and properly maintained.

• The company’s sustainability policy has been formulated in consultation between management and staff.

• Regular meetings and training sessions are held to ensure that staff at every level are aware of and supportive of our sustainability goals and all necessary information is readily available to all members of staff.

• All members of staff have transparent employment contracts that guarantee their rights as employees and as individuals under Thai law and in accordance with international conventions. This includes protection from any form of discrimination or harassment.

• The health and safety of employees is of paramount concern to the company and every effort is made to ensure it, both in the office and in the field, and insurance cover is provided.

• Office staff whenever possible are recruited locally, this helps to support the community in which we live, reduces unnecessary travelling and is less stressful for the staff.  Some senior or part-time staff may not be local, but they can probably work remotely, at least some of the time. This too has the same environmental and personal benefits.  We found that during COVID remote working was perfectly satisfactory.

• Tour guides and local guides representatives are all paid above the going rate and their rights guaranteed according to Thai law.

To ensure the highest standards of sustainability in our operations, it is essential to work with partners, whether local tour operators or accommodation providers, who understand our policy and agree with it. We help in this area by providing all our suppliers with detailed best practices, appropriate for their business, and we have signed agreements with our most important suppliers to follow our guidelines. Annual self-assessments have also been introduced and signed by our main suppliers in 2022.

These Best Practices include all the main points covered by our own Sustainability policy:

• Internal management, clear and measurable targets for improving sustainability, ethical treatment of staff, protecting their health and safety and providing proper training.

• Protection of the environment and local cultures.

• Zero tolerance of any form of exploitation of local people

• Protection of wildlife.

• Customer protection.

• A company’s sustainability will be judged not just by the operations of it tours but also the running of its office.

• We have been working with Travelife to coach other Thai tour operaors to become more sustainable in their operations and have help 26 companies to reach Travelife Partner level. This coaching will be an ongoing process. 

• We are committed to providing full and accurate product information to customers at all and this included any environmental or sustainability considerations and, where necessary, information specific to each destination and different transport options, where applicable.

• We have comprehensive procedures in the event of an emergency laid down and all staff, in the field and in the office know what to do or who to go to in such an event.

• All customers will receive a detailed briefing at the start of the tour and daily briefings when necessary. We also provide customers with list of Do’s and Don’ts to avoid any inappropriate behaviour.
• All staff have regular first aid training and all guides/vehicles carry first aid kits.
• The company guarantees customer privacy, and our privacy policy is published on our website.
• We encourage feedback from our customers and have established procedures to follow in the event of a complaint.

At least once a year, Nutty’s Adventures, our sister company Ayutthaya Boat & Travel and our restaurant Raan Tha Luang, take on a project to help a local community or institution, in or around Ayutthaya, where we have identified a need or where we have received a request for assistance. For this we will raise the necessary funds and then all the staff, along with family and friends, will donate a weekend of their time to implement the project. Examples of the projects carried out in recent years:

• Clean Wat Bang Ban Temple at Ban Sai Noi.

• Clean and repair paintwork at Wat Tha Sutthawat Temple in Ban Sai Noi.

• Clean and decorate the school library at Wat Pichan Sophon School, Pa Mok.

• Clean and decorate the school canteen and kitchen at Wat Amphawa, Bang Ban.

• Clean and decorate the school canteen and school lunch project at Wat Lad Chado School, Pak Hai.

• Save four buffaloes from the abattoir and donate them to local rice farmers for the community to re-establish traditional farming methods.

• Donate medical equipment and other items to Ayutthaya Prison for the benefit of the female prisoners.

• In cooperation with Thailand Association of the Blind, provided a free one-day tour of Ayutthaya Historical Park for blind Thai people.

• Provided lunch boxes for the staff at hospitals around Ayutthaya during the Covid-19 outbreak.

• In 2024 we provided FOC a course in accessible tourism and for students at Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.

• In 2025 we provided ice cream and snacks for disabled children at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Special Education Center on the occasion of their sports day.

In this way we stay involved with the local communities around us and give something back to society in general.

• Electricity consumption has risen by 13% while total staff has increased by 15%

• Water consumption has fallen by 5% even though total staff has increased by 15%

• 100% of the paper used in the office is recycled paper.

• All the coffee drunk in the office is produced by local communities in Thailand.

• Only non-hazardous cleaning materials are used in the office.

• Look for ways to further reduce electricity consumption by 10% by the middle of 2019.

• All water taps have been fitted with aerators and all lighting is by low-energy bulbs.

• All single-use plastic was eliminated from the office by 2019.

• Create an HR policy including flexible working hours, working conditions and disciplinary procedures. Achieved by Dec 2020.

• Keep a log of all phone conversations with clients that touch on sustainability matters.

Quarterly staff meetings and half-yearly staff/management meetings are held to monitor how well the company’s progress towards more sustainable operations is being kept in line with our Action Plan. Corrective measures will be taken wherever we are falling behind schedule.

• Sexual harassment and a ban on illegal handicrafts have been added to our Clients’ Codes of Conduct.

• Codes of Best Practices have been sent to our key partners and accommodation providers and Agreements on Sustainability have been signed.

• Creation of Destination Folders to keep track of each destination’s sustainability status.

• Detailed Procedures in Case of Emergency have been drawn up and put in place.

• A client feedback form with reference to sustainability has been added to our website.

• Implement self-assessment of their sustainability status by partner agencies within 3 months. Achieved by mid-2022.

• Implement self-assessment of their sustainability status by accommodation providers within 3 months. Achieved by mid-2022.

• Implement self-assessment by excursion providers within 3 months.
  Achieved by mid-2022.

• Expand and strengthen coverage of sexual exploitation in our guide training and advice to customers. Achieved by 2022.

• Distribute Clients’ Codes of Conduct to our partners. Achieved by 2022.

• Recommence regular training sessions for both office and field staff.

• Keep formal records of our conformity with our sustainably policy and goals.

• Ensure all new partner agencies and accommodation providers are informed of our sustainability policy and goals and are integrated into our system of assessments and compliance.

• Continue research into sources of better recycled paper and paper from sustainably managed forests - SCG, PEFC, FSC.

• Continue research into sustainably produced office supplies.

• Establish our support a reforestation scheme to offset CO2 emissions resulting from our electricity consumption and business travel.

• Summarise the sustainability status of accommodations, excursions and activities in each area for sales and marketing purposes.

• From the Destination Information folders create trip notes to explain the nature, culture and heritage of each destination.

• Create specific destination do’s and don’ts to cover sensitive excursions, for the Destination information folders.

• Add sustainability information to each itinerary.

• Have guides take the Travelife training course on child protection.

• Review feedback from clients regarding sustainability and make improvements where possible.

September 2025

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