At Greatway Tour, we recognise that tourism can create meaningful benefits for local communities, cultural heritage and nature, while also having environmental and social impacts that need to be managed responsibly.
We are committed to continuously improving the sustainability of our business operations and to promoting more responsible travel experiences in China and across our destinations. Our approach is integrated into our internal operations, our cooperation with suppliers and partners, and the information we provide to travellers.
Our Sustainability Policy and Objectives
Our sustainability policy guides the way we manage our operations and develop our travel services. Our objectives include:
- reducing environmental impacts within our own operations where possible;
- promoting the responsible use of energy, water and materials;
- reducing waste and the use of single-use plastics;
- respecting local cultures, religious traditions and cultural heritage;
- supporting local communities, local employment and locally owned businesses where possible;
- promoting responsible behaviour around wildlife, biodiversity and protected areas;
- working with suppliers and partners to encourage more sustainable practices;
- providing travellers with clear and practical information to support respectful and responsible travel.
Our sustainability policy documents are available here:
Our Main Sustainability Initiatives
We work to integrate sustainability into our day-to-day business practices and travel planning. Our ongoing initiatives include:
- providing travellers with guidance on respectful behaviour in destinations, including cultural etiquette, responsible photography and respect for local customs;
- encouraging travellers to reduce waste, avoid single-use plastics and use water and energy responsibly;
- promoting responsible choices concerning wildlife, protected species and sensitive natural areas;
- encouraging support for local businesses, locally made products and community-based services where appropriate;
- considering environmental and social sustainability issues in our cooperation with accommodation providers, transport companies, guides and other suppliers;
- maintaining a structured approach to sustainability management, monitoring and continuous improvement.
- Sustainability is an ongoing process. We regularly review our objectives, practices and opportunities for improvement.
Examples of Our Sustainability Practices
We work to integrate sustainability into our business operations and travel experiences. The following examples illustrate some of the practices we promote and implement.
● Supporting Wildlife Conservation Awareness
On selected programmes, travellers can take part in a panda volunteer activity at Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong. Under the guidance of the base staff, participants assist keepers with preparing food for giant pandas and learn more about panda breeding, care and conservation work.
This experience helps travellers better understand the importance of protecting giant pandas and their habitats, while supporting awareness of wildlife conservation.
We aim to avoid activities that involve the exploitation of wildlife and do not promote animal performances that may negatively affect animal welfare.
We provide travellers with information on responsible behaviour around wildlife and in natural areas. We also encourage travellers not to purchase products made from endangered or protected species, including ivory, coral, wildlife products and souvenirs that may contribute to illegal trade.
● Training and Guidance for Staff and Guides
We provide relevant sustainability guidance to our staff and guides. This includes topics such as respect for local cultures and religious customs, responsible behaviour in natural areas, wildlife protection, waste reduction, respectful photography and communication with local communities.
Our guides play an important role in helping travellers understand local conditions and make responsible choices during their journey.
● Supporting Local Employment and Cultural Exchange
For itineraries in Tibet, western Sichuan and other destinations involving ethnic minority cultures, we work with local guides from the relevant communities where possible.
Local guides bring first-hand knowledge of their language, customs, traditions and daily life. This supports local employment and helps travellers gain a deeper and more respectful understanding of local cultures, while encouraging meaningful communication between visitors and host communities.
● Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage
We promote experiences that help travellers learn about and appreciate local intangible cultural heritage.
Examples include bamboo-weaving experiences in Daoming Bamboo Art Village in Chongzhou, Sichuan, as well as opportunities to experience Thangka painting or Tibetan calligraphy in Tibetan areas. These activities allow travellers to engage with traditional skills and cultural practices while supporting local artisans and contributing to the local economy.
● Encouraging Lower-Impact Urban Transport
When visiting cities, our guides may encourage travellers to experience public transport, such as the metro and local buses, where this is practical and suitable for the itinerary.
Travellers may also be invited to use shared bicycles for short-distance sightseeing where conditions allow. These options can reduce reliance on private vehicles, offer a more direct experience of local daily life and help reduce transport-related emissions.
● Reducing Environmental Impacts in Our Office
We also take practical steps to reduce environmental impacts in our own office operations.
- During the summer, our office air-conditioning temperature is normally set at 26°C or above.
- Unless a specific requirement makes this unsuitable, documents are printed double-sided.
- In 2026, the quantity of printed promotional materials was reduced by approximately two-thirds compared with 2025.
We will continue to review our office practices and identify practical opportunities to reduce resource use and waste.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Sustainability is a continuous journey. We will continue to review our practices, work with our partners and listen to local communities and travellers in order to improve where possible.
By travelling thoughtfully and respectfully, we can work together to help protect nature, support local communities and preserve the cultural heritage that makes each destination unique.
Contact Person/Person in Charge
Sustainability Coordinator:
jy.zhang@greatwaytour.com
Sustainability Assistant:
ruiwen.yuan@greatwaytour.com
jiaqi.chen@greatwaytour.com
Effective Date and Update Mechanism This policy shall take effect on
August 20 , 2026 .
