A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Since publishing our first Annual Sustainability Report in 2020, Asian Trails has elevated its sustainability strategy to the next level. Over the past six years, we have introduced a wide range of innovations and strengthened existing practices to remain at the forefront of responsible and sustainable tourism. As the industry evolves, so does our approach — sustainability is a continuous journey, not a fixed destination.
The most recent developments include closer collaboration with our clients to expand the availability of sustainable products. We have also implemented targeted training programmes to ensure that our staff, drivers and guides fully embrace and actively promote a responsible travel mindset. To increase awareness of carbon emissions, we have introduced an online tool that clearly explains how emissions are calculated across our tours. This enables clients to better understand their environmental impact and engage more proactively in reduction efforts.
Looking ahead to 2026, we will continue working to make sustainable travel more mainstream. Our priorities include strengthening internal capacity, promoting lower-carbon transport options, expanding community-based experiences and developing products that deliver meaningful benefits to our host communities and the environments in which they live. Please enjoy reading this updated report.
Laurent Kuenzle Group Chief Executive Officer
Responsible Travel Management Our Responsible Travel Team
Asian Trails has embedded sustainability at the heart of our company culture.
This commitment is supported by clear internal processes and close collaboration with external partners to address shared sustainability priorities.
Every employee plays a role in advancing the sustainability agenda through clearly defined duties aligned with our overall goals.
Additionally, designated employees, including one Group Sustainability Manager and eight Country Sustainability Coordinators, have broader responsibilities to lead the process – providing expertise and inspiration to colleagues across the Group.
Country Sustainability Coordinators
Our Country Sustainability Coordinators serve as our destination-specific sustainability experts.
They play an active role in ensuring the effective implementation of our strategy, aligned with local conditions and priorities. Representing a diverse range of departments, they bring both breadth and depth of expertise to our sustainability efforts, strengthening our ability to deliver meaningful, locally relevant impact. The coordinators are:
Group Sustainability Manager
Based at our Bangkok headquarters, Emi Weir is our Group Sustainability Manager.
Her role is to develop and implement our company-wide sustainability strategy, in close collaboration with team members and to measure progress against defined targets.
Justin Culkin Business Development Manager
CHINA & HONG KONG
Aurora Christy Octavia MICE Officer
INDONESIA
Diego Santacroce Product Manager
CAMBODIA
Manassawee Sanguanphan HR Development Executive
THAILAND
Saw Win Operations Manager
MYANMAR
Vinh Hoang Product Manager
VIETNAM
Bounthavy Hansaya Senior Product Officer
LAOS
Nureen Raji Sustainability Coordinator
Amandine Lutmann Product Manager
MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE
Responsible Travel in Practice: Our ESTEEM principles
Asian Trails is committed to enhancing the positive contribution of tourism through the consistent application of our six ESTEEM principles. These guiding values shape our approach to responsible travel and provide a structured foundation for embedding sustainability across our tours. These principles guide our product development, sales and operations teams in delivering more sustainable travel programmes.
Explore Guides
In 2026, our priority is to expand the sale of more sustainable travel products and to facilitate this objective, we have updated our online destination guides.
Animal Welfare Policy
Key developments include an update of our Animal Welfare Policy and the delivery of an online training course on responsible animal excursions, with a focus on elephant camps. The Thailand product team reviewed all elephant camps to ensure they meet our responsibility criteria.
Support small communities and the environment by dining at locally owned eateries with locally sourced food on the menu. Choose environmentallyfriendly accommodation that benefits host communities through revenue raising.
Travel in vehicles with lowcarbon emissions, such as electric cars and trains, and use shared public transport services.
Participate in cultural learning activities that engage with and support local people.
Contribute to grassroots development by visiting community-based tourism projects.
Visit sites that invest in communities and the environment, such as vocational training restaurants and ethical animal sanctuaries.
Welfare Policy
10 REEF STARS
planted by Asian Trails and Bali Blue Harmony, contributing to the rehabilitation of marine life in Nusa Dua, Indonesia.
200 REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES
Donated to Siem Reap Tourism Club to support greener, more resilient tourism.
434 KG
of plastic waste collected in Halong Bay with Keep Vietnam Clean.
300 KG
of rice donated to Sunrise Cambodia, supporting residential care and education for marginalised children.
500
MALAYSIAN RINGGIT
funded gardening tools and meals during the community garden project in Kampung Baru, Malaysia.
SUSTAINABILITY IN NUMBERS
A summary of Asian Trails’ responsible travel initiatives and their impacts.
500 MANGROVE TREES
planted by Asian Trails staff in a coastal conservation area near Bangkok, Thailand.
ONE TRUCK-LOAD
of clothes, books and pre-loved household items donated to the Baan Nokkamin Foundation for children in need in Bangkok, Thailand.
Training and Certification
Travelife
Travelife is a certification programme for tour operators and travel agents, comprising three stages: Travelife Engaged, Travelife Partner and Travelife Certified. We successfully reached the second stage, earning Travelife Partner status in Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam. In 2025, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand renewed their Travelife Partner status.
The Travelife Partner award recognises our commitment to social and environmental sustainability and confirms our compliance with over 100 criteria covering sustainability management, office operations, supplier engagement and customer communication. We continue to strengthen our practices with the aim of achieving full compliance with the Travelife Certified criteria.
Sustainable operations and health and safety training
To ensure our staff, drivers, and guides remain up to date with sustainability knowledge and actively embrace a responsible travel mindset, we conducted the following training sessions:
Sustainability Training for Guides and Drivers in Phnom Penh.
Sustainability Training for Guides in Yogyakarta.
Staff Training
We recognise that the active engagement of our staff is essential to achieving our longterm goal of making our travel products more sustainable. To support this, our Group Sustainability Manager delivers practical bi-monthly online training sessions covering a range of subjects. Some of the topics addressed in 2025 include: Celebrations and Sustainability. Cultural Heritage. Wildlife Tourism. The Environment. Asian Elephants. Health, Safety and Crisis Management.
CAMBODIA
Carbon Calculations
We actively measure and assess our carbon emissions in accordance with recognised greenhouse gas reporting guidelines. This includes tracking emissions from key sources such as energy consumption across our offices and business travel. By quantifying our carbon footprint, we aim to identify reduction opportunities and lower our overall environmental impact.
Using the Carmacal carbon calculator tool, we can assess the emissions associated with the trips we operate and share this data with clients. By providing transparent emissions information, we empower clients to better understand and manage the environmental impact of their travel programmes and explore opportunities for reduction. We have introduced an online tool designed to raise awareness among clients and provide clear information on how Asian Trails calculates carbon emissions for our tours.
Asian Trails has partnered with Hotel Resilient to strengthen our promotion of sustainable hotel partners.
Hotel Resilient is a centralised platform that brings together key tourism industry stakeholders to advance sustainability performance. The initiative aims to equip hotels with tools and strategies to address environmental challenges, optimise resources and improve operational efficiency. Participating hotels are supported in achieving recognised sustainability benchmarks and their initiatives are showcased on the platform to enhance transparency and visibility.
Through this partnership, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting sustainable tourism by collaborating with hotels that share our values and ambition to build a more responsible future.
Enhancing Our Sustainability Portfolio
In 2025, Asian Trails placed sustainability at the forefront of new product development. We focused on creating tours that enrich the traveller experience through meaningful engagement with local communities and opportunities to contribute to impactful initiatives. Below are just a few of the products launched. Additional sustainable travel ideas can be found in our Explore Guides.
NEW COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE EXPERIENCES
Travel with purpose in Siem Reap
This immersive full-day tour in Siem Reap delves into diverse Khmer art and culture, with a focus on empowering local communities. Besides gaining a fascinating insight into age-old handicrafts that are being preserved for posterity, tourism fees help artisans continue this valuable heritage.
Wheels of empowerment
Designed for groups of up to 200 participants, this meaningful MICE activity in Bali offers participants an opportunity to engage in team building while building a wheelchair – directly improving an individual’s access to independence, education, employment and social participation.
Cycle through a cultural wonderland
Eco-friendly cycling is a highly recommended way to discover the cultural and natural highlights of Southern Laos. This sustainable mode of transport enables guests to engage more closely and authentically with both the landscape and local communities.
MALAYSIA
Cultural quest that gives back
Step back in time at Kampung Baru, a neighbourhood where old-world culture thrives amidst Kuala Lumpur’s modern skyline. Famous for its traditional houses and vibrant food scene, this charming enclave offers a rare window into the city’s rich heritage – perfect for a meaningful, hands-on group experience.
Revealing Sarawak’s living heritage
The journey begins in Kampung Pinggan Jaya, a village where nature and tradition remain closely intertwined. Guests are welcomed into a tranquil mangrove fringe that has supported generations of nipah palm cultivation. The tour includes workshops with skilled local artisans.
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CAMBODIA
LAOS
BORNEO
INDONESIA
NEW COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE EXPERIENCES
THAILAND
Experience timeless Thai traditions READ MORE
Absorb authentic Thai village life on a two-day cultural adventure through one of the kingdom’s most picturesque regions. This enriching excursion offers a glimpse into age-old local traditions, set against idyllic rural landscapes in beautiful Kanchanaburi province.
Guests engage directly with family-run farms and traditional craft makers across the Mekong Delta, enjoying hands-on experiences that support small-scale producers and help preserve local livelihoods, while minimising the impact of mass tourism. These encounters foster genuine and personal connections with host communities.
A new way to explore the Mekong Delta READ MORE
VIETNAM
NEW ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION EXPERIENCES
CAMBODIA
Siem Reap’s hidden side revealed
Travelling by tuk-tuk and guided by locals, guests are taken along scenic backroads and through rustic villages, where centuriesold traditions are very much alive. This excursion perfectly complements mainstream tours of the Angkor Archaeological Park, offering a fresh perspective on this idyllic region.
Exciting eco-excursion to save Bali’s turtles and mangroves
This is a unique excursion that benefits both wildlife and nature on Serangan Island, south of Sanur. The visit provides an inspiring look at how awareness and action can protect endangered sea turtles. Tourism fees also contribute directly to supporting the local Serangan community in creating sustainable alternatives to the traditional turtle trade.
MALAYSIA
Trekking into an ancient past
Situated just 45 minutes north of Kuala Lumpur, the village of Kampung Serendah offers a fascinating window into a world rarely seen by outsiders. Home to around 300 families, this community preserves the centuries-old traditions of the Orang Asli – a collective of ethnic tribes, each with its own language, customs and beliefs.
THAILAND
New jumbo experience near Bangkok
Guests enjoy a guided walk alongside free-roaming elephants to a scenic viewpoint atop the Khao Khiew hills. From here, visitors enjoy a sweeping panorama of Eastern Thailand’s pristine forests, framed by a splendid mountain backdrop. The jumbos roam independently, driven by their natural instincts, offering a truly authentic and respectful wildlife encounter. The experience includes a delicious traditional Pad Thai lunch, freshly prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
E-cars enhance Hoi An exploration
The peaceful rice fields and coastal scenery near Hoi An provide the perfect backdrop for Asian Trails’ new eco-friendly excursions, where guests travel by electric vehicle to explore an idyllic rural landscape dotted with picturesque local communities. This mode of transport helps minimise travellers’ carbon footprints. The experience can be further enhanced with an invigorating yoga session or a scenic cycle ride.
VIETNAM
Environmental Impact
Asian Trails recognises that tourism activities can have a negative impact on the environment. We therefore take proactive steps to minimise these effects. To reduce single-use plastic waste, we have several initiatives, including the use of more eco-friendly, reusable glass bottles in Indonesia and a transition in Thailand from plastic bottles to Tetra Pak cartons, which are made from 75 per cent responsibly sourced paper. Below is an overview of our environmental initiatives throughout 2025.
CAMBODIA
Championing sustainable tourism growth in Cambodia
Asian Trails donated 200 reusable water bottles to the Siem Reap Tourism Club, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable economic growth in Cambodia.
INDONESIA
Over the past three years, Asian Trails has worked alongside marine NGO Bali Blue Harmony to protect the diverse aquatic life of Nusa
Dua, Indonesia. The Asian Trails section of the coral garden now comprises 10 reef stars, forming a thriving habitat that supports a diverse range of marine life.
THAILAND
Safeguarding coastal ecosystems
Thirty-nine staff volunteers helped to plant mangrove trees at a coastal conservation area near Bangkok. A contribution of 10,000 Thai baht to the Bangpu Nature Education Centre funded the planting of 500 mangrove trees and also supported a shelter for underprivileged children.
Helping to keep Vietnam clean
Asian Trails’ colleagues in Hanoi took part in a cleanup day at Tuan Chau Beach in Halong Bay – contributing to the collection of 434 kg of plastic waste, Styrofoam and broken glass from the shoreline. This was done to support the sustainable social enterprise, ‘Keep Vietnam Clean’.
VIETNAM
The stars saving our seas
Staff Involvement
Asian Trails’ staff are integral to our commitment to sustainability and we encourage all teams to participate in hands-on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. The aim is to foster a strong sense of citizenship by creating opportunities for team members to make a positive difference in their local communities. These initiatives also provide valuable learning experiences, enabling employees to develop new skills and broaden their perspectives. Below are examples of CSR activities organised by our offices across Asia in 2025:
CAMBODIA
Building brighter futures for youth
Asian Trails donated 300 kg of rice and school supplies to Sunrise Cambodia — a nonprofit organisation that provides residential care and educational access to marginalised children, in collaboration with Sun & Moon Hotels.
MALAYSIA
Building bridges with Kuala Lumpur’s community
Twenty-five staff from our Malaysia office participated in a community garden cleanup and planting activity in the Kampung Baru community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was the second time the team has visited the community. Five hundred Malaysian Ringgit was donated to fund meals prepared by villagers and to cover the cost of purchasing gardening tools.
MYANMAR
Supporting emergency relief efforts
In Myanmar, communities across the country faced significant hardship following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on 28 March 2025. In support of relief efforts, Asian Trails donated essential household items, including mats and powdered detergent, to 63 families in Kay Lar, a floating village in the heart of Inle Lake.
THAILAND
Safeguarding Koh Samui’s future
VIETNAM
Pedalling for a purpose
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Asian Trails participated in a community-led initiative to inspect and maintain water barriers at Khao Pom, one of the highest mountains on the island of Koh Samui. Organised in collaboration with the Samui Royal Forest Department, Amari Koh Samui and OZO Samui, these efforts play a vital role in supporting local farmers who face perennial water shortages, especially during the dry season.
READ MORE
Asian Trails staff from our Ho Chi Minh City office took part in a community bike ride on 27 July 2025. The event was organised by Mekong Plus, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting rural development in Vietnam and Cambodia. The event, dubbed the ‘Bamboo Ride’, saw participants ride bamboo bikes made by local artisans along a scenic route around the city.
READ MORE
LOOKING AHEAD IN 2026
Our focus in 2026 will be to continue making sustainable travel more mainstream and building the capacity of our team members to facilitate this. We will be introducing the following new initiatives to help meet these objectives:
Continue to promote sustainable travel options, particularly lower carbon-emitting rail journeys and community-based experiences, while encouraging travel to lesser-known destinations alongside our most popular places to support a more balanced distribution of tourism.
Through our partnership with Hotel Resilient, promote and provide more choices in sustainable accommodation.
Engage customers in minimising the impact on the environment and provide carbon emission calculations on trips.
Roll out our online training programme for guides to strengthen their sustainability knowledge, maintain service quality and ensure consistent delivery of responsible travel experiences across all our destinations.
Continue measuring our carbon emissions to monitor our environmental impact, identify reduction opportunities and support data-driven decision-making aligned with our sustainability goals.
Continue staff engagement in CSR activities with organisations that have an impact on our host communities and their environment.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL AT ASIAN TRAILS
