SUSTAINABILITY POLICY MANAGEMENT

Freme Travel Services

Freme Travel Services in committed to making a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy through responsible tourism. As a leading travel company in Brunei Darussalam, we recognize our role in promoting sustainability and reducing our ecological footprint. This policy outlines our principles, practices and continuous improvement efforts across all areas of our operations.

Sustainability policy and management

Core Principles

Our Sustainability Policy and Management is based on the following:

  • Environmental sustainability

    To ensure that environmental resources like our forests and waterways will be protected and maintained for future generations.

  • Socio-cultural sustainability

    Promoting and preserving local cultural beliefs, practices, traditions, cuisine, and heritage conservation in our tours and excursions to educate the tourists on the importance of social exchanges and respect as well as the sustainability of local cultures and traditions.

  • Economic sustainability

    Supporting long-term economic growth in the community by investing in local business development as well as employment, training, and education of local human resources.

Policies and Practices

Environmental Sustainability

  • Apply the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle across office and operational settings.

  • Prioritize bulk and sustainable purchasing of office products, merchandise, and gifts.

  • Use non-hazardous, biodegradable cleaning materials and ensure safe chemical storage.

  • Minimize packaging and promote refillable water bottles and dispensers.

  • Use energy-efficient and water-saving equipment; implement a “switch-off” policy for lighting and air conditioning.

  • Maintain and monitor boats and vehicles to ensure safety, fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions.

  • To ensure we reduce emissions and energy use and encourage our staff to use more sustainable modes of transport and reduce any transport impacts by sharing transport or working at home or via online meetings.

  • Encourage staff to reduce transport impact through shared travel, remote work, and online meetings.

  • Educate staff and visitors on biodiversity protection and responsible behavior in natural areas.

  • Ensure guests follow national park rules, minimize waste, and avoid contaminating water sources.

Socio-cultural Sustainability

  • Communicate accurate information about local culture, heritage, and environmental impact.

  • Use only established tracks and minimize noise at sensitive sites.

  • Avoid excursions harmful to people, animals, or ecosystems; cease partnerships if violations occur.

  • Provide clients with behavior guidelines, cultural respect standards, and animal welfare briefings.

  • Advise guests on respectful dress and swimwear, and encourage “leave no trace” principles.

  • Support restaurants that incorporate local art and entertainment.

  • Encourage donations to local charities and cultural organizations.

Economic Sustainability

  • Share Travelife sustainability standards with partners and include key clauses in contracts.

  • Prioritize suppliers who support our sustainability goals.

  • Design trips to benefit local suppliers and consult communities in excursion planning.

  • Train staff on sustainability practices and require completion of Travelife courses.

  • Employ locally accredited staff and provide fair wages, insurance, and safe working conditions.

  • Support continuing education and personal development.

  • Ensure ethical advertising and promote sustainable alternatives in package holidays.

Excursion Policy

Freme Travel Services recognizes the importance of protecting Brunei’s rich biodiversity and ensuring that tourism does not negatively impact wildlife or ecosystems. Freme Travel Services is committed to ensuring that all excursions are conducted responsibly, with respect for local communities, cultural heritage, and the natural environment. This policy applies to all guided tours, adventure activities, and partner-led excursions.

Guide Responsibilities

  • Provide accurate and relevant information about destinations, activities, and safety protocols.

  • Brief travelers on sustainability standards, cultural sensitivity, and expected conduct.

  • Ensure guests understand rules related to national parks, illegal souvenirs, and local customs.

  • Maintain 24/7 emergency contact readiness and follow Freme’s incident response procedures.

  • To Encourage respectful behavior at cultural sites and natural areas.

  • To Advise on appropriate dress, swimwear, and “leave no trace” principles.

  • Promote the use of local services, products, and food vendors to support community benefit

Activity Screening

  • Freme avoids excursions that harm people, animals, or ecosystems.

  • If a supplier violates sustainability or ethical standards, the activity will be reviewed and discontinued.

Wildlife Protection Policy Freme Travel Services recognizes

Freme Travel Services recognizes the importance of protecting Brunei’s rich biodiversity and ensuring that tourism does not negatively impact wildlife or ecosystems. Freme Travel Services is committed to ensuring that all excursions are conducted responsibly, with respect for local communities, cultural heritage, and the natural environment. This policy applies to all guided tours, adventure activities, and partner-led excursions.

  • All excursions are designed to minimize disturbance to local flora and fauna.

  • Guides are trained to prevent wildlife harassment, feeding, or unsafe interactions.

  • Activities involving animals must meet ethical standards and avoid exploitation.

  • Guests are briefed on wildlife protection rules, including noise control, distancing, and waste management.

  • Freme does not support excursions that involve captive wildlife unless verified as ethical and conservation-based.

  • Any sightings of endangered species or sensitive habitats are reported and monitored in coordination with local authorities.

Transport to Destination Policy

Freme Travel Services recognizes the importance of protecting Brunei’s rich biodiversity and ensuring that tourism does not negatively impact wildlife or ecosystems. Freme Travel Services is committed to ensuring that all excursions are conducted responsibly, with respect for local communities, cultural heritage, and the natural environment. This policy applies to all guided tours, adventure activities, and partner-led excursions.

  • Selecting vehicles based on group size to maximize occupancy and reduce emissions

  • Using larger boats for river excursions to minimize fuel usage and environmental disruption

  • Choosing external transport suppliers who align with our sustainability values

  • Evaluating transport modes when developing new packages and documenting reasoned choices

Transport Selection Criteria

When selecting transport to destinations, airports, or local excursions, Freme considers:

  • GHG emissions and fuel efficiency

  • Load optimization and vehicle size

  • Comfort, safety, and accessibility

  • Supplier sustainability performance

  • Local infrastructure feasibility

Supplier Sustainability policy

Freme is committed to working with suppliers who share our sustainability values. We:

  • Prefer suppliers with environmental certifications and responsible practices

  • Conduct sustainability surveys to assess supplier performance.

  • Include sustainability clause in contracts where applicable

  • Review supplier conducts regularly and discontinues partnerships if standards are not met

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Freme is committed to working with suppliers who share our sustainability values. We:

  • Sustainability performance is monitored by our internal coordinator and reviewed annually

  • Feedback is collected through client surveys, staff input, and partner engagement

  • Policies are updated based on audit findings, stakeholder feedback, and industry developments

Staff Training and Engagement

Freme is committed to working with suppliers who share our sustainability values. We:

  • All staff received sustainability briefings and complete Travelife training modules

  • New policies are communicated through internal sessions and email updates

  • Staff are empowered to contribute idea and lead sustainability initiatives

Communication and Transparency

Freme is committed to working with suppliers who share our sustainability values. We:

  • Sustainability efforts are shared via our website, brochure, and social media

  • Clients are informed of our policies and encouraged to participate in responsible tourism

  • We respond promptly to feedback and complaints related to sustainability issues

Collaboration and Partnerships

Freme is committed to working with suppliers who share our sustainability values. We:

  • Freme actively collaborates with government agencies, NGOs, and Industry peers

  • We participate in sector-wide initiatives and share best practices to advance sustainable tourism

Sustainability Management at Freme Travel Services is an ongoing process rooted in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We remain committed to monitor the effectiveness of our initiatives, updating our policies in line with evolving standards, and integrating new practices that support environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability.

We will continue engaging transparently with staff, partners, and clients to ensure our sustainability goals are understood and upheld. Through regular review and feedback, we remain committed to advancing responsible tourism in Brunei Darussalam.