Responsible Travel

POLICY AIMS

In general, travelers have an idea of what (not) to do outside in nature. But in certain places we make sure to let them know, in detail, of specific rules (and subsequent consequences of their non-compliance), regarding the sustainability of Azores’ most vulnerable species (specially) and preservation of our very estimated protected natural habitats / landscapes.

We feel obligated to provide you with the best possible experiences ever, attending to those rules and always trying to coop with other companies of the same area in order to provide beneficial “extras” for both parts. But when we can’t do that, we have no problem in suggesting other entities who can.

We seek to operate in a manner that ensures that our staff, partners and travelers have a positive impact on all species, habitats and ecosystems that we encounter on our tours.

WHAT SHOULD THE AZORES EXPECT FROM US?

A big portion of our “playground” involves protected natural areas of the Azores, where specific rules must be respected in order to preserve its richness and singularity. In the Azores, companies like Fun Activities act like guardians of these places, hence, it is our responsibility to promote the sustainability and, of course, the well-being and happiness of the local inhabitants – which means they should be always involved regarding all the benefits ,as well as committed to solving related problems. It also means that the place where they live should always stay, in the end of each day and year, healthy and able to produce all the resources they need.

How do we do this?

Resorting to products from local companies for our excursions (snacks, picnics, souvenirs, etc.); offering discounts and free vouchers to local institutions and communities; and organizing voluntary actions and partnerships with diverse organizations.

Economic Responsability 100% Azorean

As our company is based in the Azores (Portugal) most of the guides we employ are Portuguese (who can sometimes speak a bit of Spanish, English, or French). But we employ guides from other countries as well, in the form of exchanges, partnerships or internships.

Although we prefer to negotiate with partners / companies that: are managed by locals; have development and incentive policies for local workers; and buy local products – that’s not an exclusion factor. Whenever a client asks for suggestions or services we don’t provide, we always head them to / give them the contact of some partner / company who does.

Environmental Responsability Fun Activities is firmly committed to environmental protection and continuously strives to minimize the impact of its operations, both locally and globally.

Our approach is based on responsible practices, ongoing improvement, and the active involvement of our team and clients.

In our daily operations—whether in administrative tasks or outdoor activities—we ensure proper waste recycling and systematically work to reduce overall waste production. At our office, we provide specific recycling containers for each material type and follow a fully digital workflow, using only one active computer and avoiding printing whenever possible.

We are also in the process of implementing an Environmental Management System in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard.
This system provides a rigorous framework that enables us to identify, monitor, and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with our activities. Implementing ISO 14001 involves setting measurable environmental objectives, continually evaluating performance, and adopting preventive and corrective measures. This process marks a strategic step in strengthening our environmental responsibility and ensuring that all experiences we offer follow high standards of sustainability, safety, and quality.

In collaboration with the Azores Department of Oceanography, we organize at least two annual clean-up actions in streams, coastal areas, or bathing zones. These initiatives, which are open to community participation, contribute directly to the preservation of local ecosystems. The most recent action took place in October 2020 at the Calhetas Bathing Area, where 34 kg of waste were collected.

The company also carries out three environmental actions every year to maintain the “Friends of the Priolo” distinction, reinforcing our commitment to the conservation of natural areas on the island, particularly during hiking and cycling tours.

We encourage our clients to bring reusable water bottles, following the example set by our team. During our activities, it is common to find natural freshwater springs, and many routes do not offer shops or waste disposal facilities. We also offer reusable water flasks and coffee/tea cups—simple, functional, and customized—available for purchase at an additional cost. These items help reduce waste and provide guests with a meaningful, sustainable souvenir of their experience in the Azores.

Most of our guides live at a considerable distance from the office, and our activities frequently take place far from our storage facilities. As a result, we rely on personal vehicles or public transportation. Although our vans used for client transportation are not modern models, we are actively evaluating solutions to improve the environmental efficiency of our fleet. Whenever possible, we use bicycles and e-bikes, both professionally and personally.

“Amigo da Natureza” seal

The “Nature Friendly” seal recognizes organizations that adopt responsible and sustainable practices aligned with environmental protection. This seal values respect for nature, the preservation of natural resources, and the promotion of more conscious tourism.

At Fun Activities, we follow these principles in all our activities, adopting practices that minimize environmental impact and actively contribute to the appreciation and protection of our natural heritage.

Social Responsability Provide long-term benefits to present and future
local communities, one adventure at a time.

We seek to operate in a manner that is responsible, sensitive, respectful and observant of the cultural identity and historic assets of this generation, whoever or wherever they are, without compromising the potential of future generations.

We totally discourage our clients to go wandering alone in the wilderness, and always advise them to take care and be careful and aware of the Azores’ protected areas / landscapes and species (specially the endangered ones). Regarding our cultural wealth, we always try to include it in our excursions or simply suggest visits to various destinations / local social projects with direct benefits to the host community.

It is worth mentioning that, in the last 5 years, more and more sustainability measures have been implemented and reforced, specially regarding the current and future protection of specific areas and species. This work, despite being imperfect, brings a lot of commitment and obligations to companies that work directly in these areas, just like Fun Activities does. As a result, the Azores are on their way to becoming a “sustainable destination”, title that has already been used by multiple parties.

We know that mass tourism will never work here and will never provide a good future for our people. In fact, working with other companies already requires many commitments and policies when it comes to protecting the environment. Therefore, providing adventure tours in protected areas means that these rules are even more strict. But as perfection tends to be a long and controversial path, we think it is essential to have our ideas well defined.

So, Fun Activities has a single-minded goal: Provide long-term benefits to present and future local communities, one adventure at a time. Therefore, we insist that the benefits are the same for us and who / what surrounds us, always trying to guarantee the active participation of our people in our daily lives.

When doing Canyoning in Ribeira da Salga, for example, part of the Tour fee (5€) goes back to the local community of Lomba de São Pedro, the parish where we carry out the activity (~400 inhabitants).