ISO 14001 and EMAS III

Afromaxx – Our commitment to sustainability

Since this year, Afromaxx has been a proud partner of Travelife, a leading sustainability system for tourism. With this prestigious award, we are sending a clear signal of our commitment to promoting responsible travel and preserving the beauty of Tanzania in a sustainable way. Let’s take a look together at who Travelife is, what sustainable measures Afromaxx implements and what is particularly important to us!

About Travelife: Sustainability in tourism

The Travelife Sustainability System, launched in 2007, promotes sustainable practices in the travel and tourism sector. This initiative utilises the unique position of tour operators and travel agencies to shape the demand, procurement policy and development of destinations in a sustainable way. Travelife offers two interlinked systems for tour operators and travel agents that provide online training and tools for sustainable management. The companies that meet Travelife’s strict standards can be labelled as “Travelife Partner” or “Travelife Certified”. These standards include international norms such as ISO 14001 and EMAS III and cover important topics such as labour conditions, human rights and environmental protection.

Our sustainable practices at Afromaxx

At Afromaxx, we are fully committed to sustainability. Our externally audited sustainability policy covers all aspects of our operations. We prioritise a healthy, safe and supportive working environment for our employees, making us a pioneer in the employment of women and Tanzanian staff. 90 per cent of our office staff are female and 90 per cent of our employees are from Tanzania. Our salaries and working conditions are well above the Tanzanian average, making us a benchmark for corporate standards in the country.

We pay attention to reuse, recycling and reducing consumption in all areas. For example, we use energy-efficient systems for lighting, reuse paper and rely on local products to support the local economy and minimise transport emissions. Our safari vehicles are equipped with large water tanks to avoid the use of disposable bottles.

Supporting the local population is of central importance to us. Our collaboration with community projects and social enterprises such as the Uru Coffee Cooperative, Moshi Cultural Tourism and The Small Things enables us to promote activities that support the local culture and economy.

Focus on wildlife and community

At Afromaxx, we attach particular importance to the protection of wildlife and local communities. We support three projects that are very close to our hearts:

1. KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project): This NGO is committed to improving the working conditions of porters who climb Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. We regularly monitor the working conditions of our porters and ensure that wages, equipment and nutrition meet standards.

2. The Small Things: This project near Arusha provides education and support for local communities. We promote their activities, which not only increases income but also raises the organisation’s visibility.

3. TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators): Through our active membership, we contribute to the coordination of relief efforts in disaster situations, such as the Kilimanjaro forest fires or the recent floods in central Tanzania.

Our message: Responsibility and commitment

We firmly believe that a healthy company that pays taxes, treats its employees fairly and provides a reliable service to its international customers is the best way to promote Tanzanian culture and support the local economy. Madeleine, the German founder and director of Afromaxx, emphasises the importance of a good working environment and fair business relationships.

Reactions to our partnership with Travelife

Since we have been recognised as a Travelife certified partner, we have noticed a growing interest from other suppliers in this certification. Our suppliers have responded positively to our new protocols and guidelines and have joined us in pursuing common goals. Our clients are also showing great interest in our sustainability policy, which raises our profile and emphasises Tanzania as a trustworthy destination.