“Does this itinerary involve animals?”

That was the question a European tour operator asked during a planning session with Authentic Asia. Our client, a socially and environmentally conscious agency, has strict internal guidelines around animal welfare, community impact, and carbon emissions. This wasn’t an isolated request. It was one of many specific, thoughtful questions we now hear regularly during the early phases of itinerary design.

Today’s B2B travel partners are being held to new standards. As sustainability becomes embedded into procurement, branding, and traveler expectations, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) are expected to do more than deliver logistics. They’re expected to lead responsibly.

That’s why Travelife Certification has become a critical step for DMCs like us, not just as a label, but as a long-term strategy.

What is Travelife?

Travelife is a globally recognized certification system built specifically for travel companies: tour operators, travel agents, DMCs, and hotels.. Aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Travelife offers a structured path toward sustainable practices across the business, from internal policies and operations to supplier management and customer engagement.

Its comprehensive criteria include:

• Environmental impact

• Labor conditions and fair employment

• Local community support

• Cultural preservation

• Animal welfare

• Transparent business ethics
   

Travelife isn’t about perfection. It’s about measurable, transparent progress.

Why it matters for travel companies today

Whether you're a local DMC or an international tour operator, sustainability now shapes reputation, regulation, and revenue.

Here’s why Travelife matters across the travel industry:

• Travelers are increasingly conscious. They ask questions about animal interactions, carbon impact, plastic use, and community involvement—and expect honest, structured answers.

• Corporate and B2B clients demand proof. Tenders, partnerships, and procurement are now based not only on pricing and creativity, but also on sustainability criteria.

• Governments are regulating more. From the EU Green Claims Directive to national emissions disclosures, travel companies face new compliance standards that Travelife helps address.

• Sustainability drives resilience. Businesses that embrace sustainability are more adaptable to environmental shifts, supply chain risks, and social changes.

Ultimately, Travelife equips companies with tools to build trust, reduce risk, and deliver higher-value, future-proof experiences.

Authentic Asia: Taking Steps Toward Certification

At Authentic Asia, we’ve officially begun our Travelife Certification journey, not just to meet expectations, but to lead by example.

Our process includes:

• Conducting internal assessments of current practices.

• Training teams across product, operations, and supplier management.

• Reviewing animal-related activities, waste generation, and labor ethics.

• Collaborating with local partners to implement shared sustainability standards.
   

Yes, we’re responding to questions like “Does this itinerary involve animals?”, but also to deeper expectations about fairness, footprint, and future impact.

We see this not as a checklist, but a mindset. A continuous improvement cycle. A path to build better business with our global partners.

Certification: A Commitment to Long-Term Impact

Travelife is a system that supports:

• Streamlined sustainability reporting

• Standardized supplier policies

• Meaningful community engagement

• Transparent communication with B2B and B2C stakeholders
   

By aligning with this certification, we ensure that our practices are not only ethical, but also measurable and credible.

And most importantly, we help our partners deliver their own promises to conscious clients.

Sustainability Builds Better Partnerships

When a partner asks, “Does this itinerary involve animals?” or “Can you prove the lodge supports the local community?” We want to answer clearly, confidently, and responsibly.

Travelife Certification helps us do just that.

We’re proud to take this step forward, for our own team, for our destinations, our communities, and our long-term partners who believe in travel that respects and enriches.

The future of travel isn’t just beautiful. It’s accountable.