A Quality and Sustainable Tour Operator
- By:
Rebecca Braak
Rebecca Adventure Travel, a sustainable tour operator, received the Distintivo Q certificate for the seventh year in a row, since 2017, with an almost perfect score.
Table of Contents
The Distintivo Q is a recognition given by the Municipality of Quito, through Quito Tourism, for businesses that implement sustainable and qualitative practices in tourism. These companies offer premium services and contribute to raising the quality of tourism in Quito.
The distinction is valid for one year from the delivery of the certificate. It contemplates five areas for quality management:
- Administrative and legal
- Social
- Environmental and cultural responsibility
- Infrastructure and equipment
- Quality of service and customer care, and biosecurity
What is Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism has more benefits than negative impacts. It is related to the environment, the economy, and the communities. As a result, truly sustainable and responsible tourism should make destinations better for people to live in as well as visit.
Responsible travel aims to increase the benefits and reduce the negative impacts caused by tourism. This can be achieved by:
- Protecting environments, wildlife, and natural resources when developing tourism activities
- Providing authentic tourist experiences that celebrate and conserve heritage and culture
- Creating socio-economic benefits for communities through employment and income-earning opportunities
A Sustainable Tour Operator
Rebecca and her team are dedicated to continuously educating themselves about sustainable tourism. To obtain this certification, Rebecca has attended several seminars, amongst other things, about environmental issues like pollution and waste management.
After becoming part of the Distintivo Q program in 2017, the Municipality of Quito has come to the Rebecca Adventure Travel office every year to inspect the implementation of environmental, social, quality, and business practices. Their positive evaluation has rewarded the company with the Distintivo Q certificate since then, achieving a 100% compliance score in 2019 and over 98% the rest of the years.
If you would like to receive more information about sustainable tourism or have any other questions just contact us. Our destination experts are looking forward to speaking to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sustainable Tourism, and what are its goals?
Sustainable tourism aims to ensure that travel has more benefits than negative impacts on the environment, the economy, and the local communities.
– Goal: To make destinations better for people to live in as well as visit.
– Responsible Practices: Protecting environments and wildlife, providing authentic tourist experiences that conserve heritage and culture, and creating socio-economic benefits (employment/income) for local communities.
What certification validates a quality and sustainable operator in Quito?
The Distintivo Q is a recognition given by the Municipality of Quito (through Quito Tourism) to businesses that implement sustainable and qualitative practices. Companies with this certificate offer premium services and contribute to raising the overall quality of tourism in the city.
What five areas are inspected for the “Distintivo Q” quality management certificate?
The distinction, which is valid for one year, evaluates five key areas of business practice:
– Administrative and Legal compliance.
– Social, Environmental, and Cultural Responsibility.
– Infrastructure and Equipment.
– Quality of Service and Customer Care (including biosecurity).
How does a sustainable tour operator maintain its commitment to quality?
Operators commit to continuous improvement through:
– Inspections: Submitting to annual inspections that evaluate the implementation of environmental, social, quality, and business practices (e.g., scoring over 98% compliance).
– Education and Training: Continuously educating their team on sustainable tourism, including seminars on environmental issues like pollution and waste management, and obtaining certificates on environmentally responsible tourism.
Further Reading:
- Responsible Travel – Safeguarding the Galapagos Islands
- 10 Reasons Why Ecuador is the Perfect Destination
- Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Ecuador
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