With immediate effect, we will advise our guests that we wish “to make a difference” and thus invite them to engage with our mission, offering them clear ways to do that through our marketing communications.
Ensuring tailored communication is undertaken for every client, while being specific in the services we offer, focusing more on how the tailored programmes are helping our community (social pillar), the national economy (economic pillar) and our environment (environmental pillar).
Reflect the internal and external sustainability strategy and actions through social media and in initiatives presented on media and website. Showing that Very Valletta is indeed walking the talk. Keep communications up to date and relevant, as well as unique, keeping up to date with the changing global sustainability approaches and staying abreast of market changes.
Very Valletta aims to have a focus on supporting local communities, by promoting local artisans and helping local artists and local start-up companies to offer their services to guests. Limiting the use of chain suppliers and sourcing product and services locally, wherever possible.
The secondary focus is regarding reducing and minimising impacts on local communities through group activities and locations. Keeping in mind the impact on the local community prior to offering a service and including the community at the planning stage. Respecting the communities in which it operates, whilst giving them the opportunity to directly benefit from our economic activity.
Very Valletta commits to use smaller local suppliers than align with the Very Valletta sustainability goals and strategy. This will enable us to provide products to guests that we as a company may also benefit from (economically, environmentally and socially). Local suppliers help them as well as help us to be more in line with our values. I.e. a focus on preservation over consumption
Very Valletta commits to focus on providing services which are unique (not mainstream activities) and in line with our vision and mission.
Compliance is an important aspect of products and services with a commitment to stay up to date with governing regulations and frameworks.
Very Valletta believes that an environmentally friendly approach is required holistically. Changing operations internally and externally to lessen impacts and including and empowering clients with opportunities to really make a difference. Combining and coordinating services in an efficient way to reduce the carbon footprint as well as still considering health and safety. Focusses for this are reduction in non-sustainable transportation, and an increase in programmes that involve local facilities and venues.
Have an idea of the overall environmental impact of the full programme to improve on in the future. Monitoring and reporting.Undertaking carbon footprinting to be able to track and then take action on things causing carbon impacts across the board.
Materials use and water consumption and efficiency will be incorporated into programme and activity selection and recommendation.
Training and education will revolve around empowering the employee across the board to be aware and engaged in sustainability initiatives as well as the industry’s rules and regulations regarding operations, health and safety and risk assessments. Continuous and ongoing training is needed, with time given to keep up to date with the latest regs.
Communicate the organisation’s targets to personnel allowing for an easier collaboration to reach the set goals and have a sustainability operations manual aligned with the company sustainability policy that we can follow, and everyone would be on the same page and consistent.
Open up conversations between principals and locals for better understanding of each other, raising awareness on the needs of both parties.
Invest in proper education and training on sustainable practices both internally and globally. This will allow us to reach our target markets and remain relevant. This will be an ongoing education and will be focussed on each sector of expertise, giving all team members the tools to be an ambassador of sustainability.
A new supplier assessment will be put in place, making sure that the suppliers being used are not compromising one of the sustainability pillars. This will be carried out by choosing to use suppliers with robust environmental and employment policies. Taking care for lower paid workers. Employee respect and care, as well as social and environmental responsibility. Introducing a procedure whereby suppliers’ sustainability practices are assessed before working with them, and then that assessment continues not just at the point of purchase but also throughout engagement.
The commitment will extend to supporting suppliers less sustainable to upskill and to become part of the change.
Very Valletta will undo a set of training through multiple avenues to ensure the internal teams are walking the talk, and also can act as ambassadors for sustainability with clients and guests alike.
Full training to support the implementation of the strategy and policy will be undertaken with Global Green Events Ltd.
To gain further credibility and training and support, Very Valletta will embark on the full Travelife certification process. From basic training through to full certification. This will be guided by Gayle Murphy, the company sustainability consultant.
An in-house Sustainability coordinator will be designated to take forward and ensure all actions are undertaken and data is recorded as necessary.
Training will be undertaken by Very Valletta to learn about carbon foot printing as a mean to monitor and record impact, this will enable an annual tracking report to be undertaken.
Ongoing training on sustainability practices and up to date offerings in the sustainability field will keep the internal team as well as guests and clients, benefiting from the most up to date methodologies and solutions available.
This education and training will then be extended out into the supply chain, among guests and clients, to initiate and inspire change throughout the value chain.
Transportation in terms of vehicle type usage will be a focus, using electric cars and vehicles wherever possible, using alternative fuels and considering trip lengths encouraging walking and bicycling and other forms of transport as a primary choice.
Marine based activities will have a focus on utilising sustainable options such as sailing as opposed to power boat experiences.
Glass bottles only will be used for private events, reusable water bottles will be offered to every client. This will be partnered with a focus on a reduction of use of single use plastic bottles on events wherever possible.
An internal sustainability policy will guide behaviour in the offices, with guidance on how to deal with materials and systems in the most efficient way, including carbon awareness, waste reduction and management, and plastic reduction.
Paper use will be reduced across the board with digital alternatives utilised both in house and on site. Tickets and tour descriptions will be sent electronically to clients, or utilising apps, and signage will be created to be reused per each tourism season.
Carbon Foot printing will be monitored annually. Firstly, training and education will be invested in and ways to offset will be explored.
Tourism impacts will be navigated by restructuring the approach to group events, staggering, and separating groups in different locations.
More plants in the office will create a healthier and wellness focused environment within the office.
Programmes and event schedules will be drawn up considering environmental impacts, with local activities and venues prioritised where possible.
Procurement will have a shift of focus, with reusables and sustainable materials becoming part of the pillars. E.g., shifting to refillable ink cartridges for printers.
Menus and catering suppliers will be centred around sourcing local, fresh and in season: fruit and vegetables, fish, poultry & meat.
Locally sourced items will be prioritised throughout the whole procurement process, supporting smaller traditional businesses over multinationals wherever possible.
Select accommodation and hotels that are “green” as a priority where possible, that have their own sustainability policies and are close to the activity (e.g., port, conference centre)
Principals will be asked to back large project proposals to our local communities, giving back to the local communities through our contacts. Very Valletta will encourage the supply chain to do the same.
Very Valletta aims to contribute to the local wealth and economic development of the destination by partnering with locally owned and operated business with particular emphasis on small businesses.
Overall supplier assessments will take place, with a preferred supplier list being created based on their sustainability, both environmentally and socially, and considering their values.
Annual donations will be made to local organisations in need, such as Inspire.
Very Valletta will begin to communicate externally regarding the goal to start reducing impacts, and that they are actively working towards sustainability with a holistic strategy and policy. This will be used as a tool to instigate change in the market and to encourage others to also take bold steps.
Working with clients, Very Valletta will promote carbon awareness and carbon offsetting as part of quotations.
The Travelife certification process will be embarked on in 2022 and will be worked through step by step. This will communicate Very Valletta’s status as a sustainable company that takes education and progression in this seriously and in a structured way.
Social media presence will begin, especially on related cruise portals, creating awareness around becoming a sustainable company/offering sustainable tours & experiences
Very Valletta will check on what their principals do with respect to sustainability and carbon footprint, and join or contribute to same initiatives, working collaboratively to create positive impacts and create a stronger relationship with principals.
Systems will be assessed for impacts. A new ticketing system will be implemented utilising a ticket application, that guests use before boarding the coaches.
When offering services or products, Very Valletta commits to being selective in ensuring that suppliers reflect their values.
As an individual sustainability initiative Very Valletta have designed a new product, the “Picnic Pallet”.This is a hand built, upcycled picnic set up created for sustainable picnics out in nature (like Ponant has for 2023 in Gozo).
To promote connection to nature, Very Valletta will Propose more “Dining in Awesome Locations” to allow guests to be immersed in natural experiences.
Very Valletta will begin to offer the new activity, “Recycling & Upcycling Workshops” to clients, and will continue to come up with new sustainable activities that educate and inspire the guests sustainably.
Service and product options will be enhanced by increasing collaboration with local NGOs like FoE, Birdlife, Nature Trust and non-NGOs like Dreams of Horses in Gozo. This will create an innovative portfolio of activities for clients as well as ensuring local organisations truly benefit from tourism.
Very Valletta has an overall aim of positively impacting Malta as a sustainable destination, focusing on the two destinations Valletta and Gozo. Supporting them to become two of the most sustainable destinations through innovation and operational approach.
