Impact

Our Sustainability

Exploring Responsibly, with a positive impact

Sustainable Journeys: Making Difference

At Up Albania, we believe in the power of travel to create a positive impact. Our commitment to sustainable tourism runs deep, and it’s at the heart of everything we do and the people we work with. Explore our initiatives, where we collaborate with local partners, safeguard cultural heritage, preserve the environment, and minimize footprint. Discover how you can be part of a responsible and rewarding travel experience that leaves a lasting and positive mark on Albania and its people.

 

SHARED BENEFITS / ECONOMIC NUTRITION

70% of each client’s euro goes to our 80 local partners, businesses and self-employed individuals, primarily in small cities and rural areas. These carefully selected and quality-assured partners and service providers in the sustainable hospitality and travel sector, receive the lion’s share of our fees. 

Our people are the heart and soul of our organization, representing our highest value. We take pride in offering the most competitive compensation packages in the sector to attract the best professionals, ensuring they are motivated to provide our guests with top-notch service and unforgettable experiences.

The sustainability of our business approach is also reflected in the economic health we aim to maintain. Aiming to achieve a surplus profit in the range of 8-10% is vital for our company, as it empowers us to fulfill our higher purpose. This surplus enables us to consistently raise the bar on creating outstanding experiences for our travelers and ensures our long-term and sustainable success.

PRESERVE TRADITION & NATURE

Protecting and safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage is one of the goals we hold closest to our heart, which also corresponds to The UN Sustainability goal 11.4 and GSTC standards. We’re deeply committed to preserving through giving value to the Albanian old heritage and culture. Our tours feature UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Butrint, Gjirokastra, Berat and Ohrid Lake, as well as intangible cultural treasures like ‘iso polyphony’ and the iconic ‘xhubleta’ dress. We promote other authentic traditions such as the ‘qeleshe’ felt skull cap and traditional craftsmanship in wood and stone, and celebrate through tasting the rich Albanian culinary heritage, featuring special dishes, unique flavours, lovely wines and indigenous herbs. Through these experiences, we rise awareness and appreciation among the local for their traditions, encourage investing in them, and transmit them to new generations. 

 

Our commitment to sustainable tourism extends to the conservation of the natural environment and precious resources. Our initiatives include using eco-friendly practices to avoid harming nature and biodiversity, raising awareness among our partners and the communities we visit during our tours, and participating with partners in advocacy initiatives, urging authorities to adopt improved regulations, sustainable standards, and strategies for protecting nature and the environment. Through these conservation efforts, we aim to contribute to the preservation of Albania’s stunning landscapes, wildlife, and resources for future generations, ensuring that our journeys leave a positive impact on the environment
MINIMIZE IMPACT
We try to minimize our ecological footprint by reducing plastic and waste, utilizing eco-friendly transportation whenever possible. This effort extends from our office work to daily tour activities and includes our partners and local suppliers. When choosing partners, we use specific criteria to assess their methods and practices aimed at reducing their environmental impact. Additionally, we organize ongoing awareness and training activities among partners and staff to improve and adhere to established rules.
Despite the challenges posed by the limited availability of alternative transportation in Albania, we remain dedicated to promoting eco-friendly solutions: actively promoting longer stays in one destination, a goal we successfully achieve in most of our tours; prioritizing the use of electric cars when feasible; selecting fuel-based vehicles, newer models that adhere to EU criteria; when possible, opting for local means of transportation, such as using horse or mule transportation for luggage during tours and transfers in rural areas.
We are dedicated to minimizing waste throughout our operations. We actively encourage the reduction of single-use plastics and advocate for sustainable waste management practices. By emphasizing waste reduction, we aim to keep the pristine landscapes of Albania free from litter and contribute to the long-term health of our planet. While private sector and community efforts are crucial, there is still considerable work to be done in this regard in Albania, requiring increased engagement from public authorities.

Reducing carbon emissions is at the heart of our commitment to minimizing our ecological footprint. We invest in carbon offset programs that help neutralize the emissions associated with our tours and activities. By taking action to reduce our carbon footprint, we actively participate in the fight against climate change.