Nepal Hiking Team is committed to choosing accommodation that is responsible to the people, places, and environment of Nepal.
Accommodation is one of the most visible parts of a traveler's experience and one of the areas where a trekking and tour company can directly influence how tourism benefits a destination. In Nepal, accommodation ranges from city hotels and locally owned guesthouses to family-run teahouses, mountain lodges, homestays, and community-based establishments in areas where electricity, water, waste collection, and other services may be limited.
For this reason, Nepal Hiking Team does not apply a single urban hotel standard to every destination. We consider what is practical for the location and look at how an accommodation provider actually operates within its local environment.
Our preference is to work with accommodation providers that provide a safe and comfortable stay while making responsible use of water and energy, reducing unnecessary waste and plastics, respecting employees and local communities, purchasing locally where possible, protecting cultural and natural resources, and operating honestly and responsibly.
Where a suitable choice exists, we give preference to accommodation providers with recognized sustainability certification. However, certification is not a condition we can apply universally because certified accommodation is not available in every trekking destination. In those situations, we assess the supplier's actual practices and use our relationship with the supplier to encourage improvement.
Scope
This policy forms part of Nepal Hiking Team's Sustainability Policy and applies to accommodation providers that we select, recommend, book, contract, or regularly work with for our travelers.
It covers hotels, resorts, guesthouses, lodges, teahouses, homestays, community-based accommodation, and other overnight establishments used during our tours and trekking programs.
The policy applies throughout our operating destinations, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, the Everest region, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Mustang, and other areas where Nepal Hiking Team arranges accommodation.
The policy recognizes that accommodation in a remote Himalayan village cannot always provide the same infrastructure as a city hotel. Our assessment therefore considers the destination, availability of services, altitude, season, local infrastructure, community context, and the level of control the accommodation provider has over particular sustainability issues.
The policy is effective upon approval by the Managing Director and communication to relevant staff. It is reviewed every two years, or sooner when there is a significant change in our operations, applicable requirements, supplier risks, or sustainability standards.
How We Choose Accommodation
Sustainability is considered together with safety, hygiene, location, service quality, availability, client requirements, and price. We do not select accommodation solely because it makes a sustainability claim.
When evaluating a supplier, we consider what happens in practice.
For example, we may consider whether drinking water is provided through refill systems rather than unnecessary disposable bottles, whether waste is separated or responsibly handled, how hot water and heating are supplied, whether firewood is being used unnecessarily, where food is sourced, whether local people are employed, how wastewater is managed, how staff are treated, and whether the establishment respects the surrounding community.
Information may come from a direct site visit, discussions with the owner or manager, observations from our guides and operations team, client feedback, supplier communication, publicly available information, online reviews, certifications, or other reasonable sources of evidence.
No single observation automatically determines whether an accommodation provider is accepted or rejected. We consider the overall circumstances and the provider's willingness and ability to improve.
Local Accommodation and Local Benefit
Where appropriate, Nepal Hiking Team gives preference to locally owned accommodation because tourism expenditure can remain within the destination and contribute directly to households and local businesses.
This is particularly relevant in trekking areas, where a lodge or teahouse may be operated by a family or local community and may purchase food, services, construction materials, and other supplies from surrounding areas.
We encourage accommodation providers to employ local people and purchase locally produced food and services where these are reasonably available and meet appropriate quality and safety requirements.
Local sourcing does not mean that every product must come from the immediate village. In remote mountain destinations, some goods necessarily come from other parts of Nepal or are transported from major supply centers. Our objective is to increase the local economic value of tourism where practical rather than create an unrealistic procurement requirement.
This approach is consistent with Nepal Tourism Board's responsible-tourism guidance, which encourages travelers to use locally owned accommodation and services to support local livelihoods.
Water Responsibility
Water availability varies substantially across Nepal. A water-saving measure that is appropriate in Kathmandu may not be the same as one appropriate in a high-altitude village.
We therefore encourage accommodation providers to understand their local water situation and avoid unnecessary consumption. Where practical, we prefer accommodations that use water-efficient toilets, showers, taps, rainwater harvesting, or other appropriate conservation measures.
Accommodation providers should take particular care where water is sourced from local springs, streams, wells, tanks, or other community resources. Tourism should not place an unreasonable burden on the availability or quality of water for surrounding residents.
Where wastewater is generated, accommodation providers should manage it responsibly and avoid releasing untreated wastewater directly into rivers, springs, trails, farmland, or other sensitive areas.
For accommodation with swimming pools or other high-water-use facilities, responsible water management and appropriate reuse or treatment practices are encouraged.
Energy, Heating and Firewood
Energy use in Nepal's accommodation sector varies considerably according to location and infrastructure. Nepal Hiking Team therefore considers both the energy source and how efficiently it is used.
We prefer accommodation providers that use energy-efficient lighting and appliances, avoid unnecessary electricity consumption, and progressively adopt renewable energy where feasible.
Solar electricity and solar hot-water systems are particularly relevant where local conditions make them practical. We also encourage providers to explore lower-emission alternatives when replacing existing energy systems.
In mountain areas, heating can create a significant sustainability concern. We encourage accommodation providers to minimize unnecessary firewood consumption and consider alternatives such as improved heating systems, electric heating where the electricity supply permits, solar systems, efficient stoves, or other locally appropriate solutions.
This is particularly important in areas where demand for fuelwood can contribute to pressure on local forests. Nepal Tourism Board similarly advises responsible travelers to minimize firewood use and use alternatives where possible.
We do not require a remote mountain lodge to have the same energy infrastructure as a city hotel. Instead, we look for responsible use of the resources realistically available to that establishment.
Waste and Plastic
Waste management is one of the practical challenges of tourism in remote Nepal, particularly where municipal collection and recycling infrastructure is limited.
Nepal Hiking Team encourages accommodation providers to prevent waste at source wherever practical, separate different waste streams, reuse materials where possible, and send recyclable materials into appropriate collection or recycling systems where such services exist.
Organic waste should be separated and composted or otherwise responsibly managed where feasible. Plastic, glass, metal, paper, and other recoverable materials should be separated where local collection systems make this possible.
Accommodation providers should never treat rivers, trails, forests, open land, or other natural areas as disposal sites.
We encourage the reduction of unnecessary single-use plastic, particularly disposable water bottles and excessive packaging. Where safe drinking water is available, refill systems are preferred.
However, we recognize that waste management in a remote mountain village can be very different from waste management in Kathmandu. Our assessment therefore considers whether the supplier is taking reasonable measures within the infrastructure available rather than judging a remote lodge against a standard it cannot realistically meet.
Food and Responsible Procurement
Food is an important part of the relationship between accommodation and the local economy.
Where practical, we encourage accommodation providers to purchase food from local farmers, producers, markets, and businesses. Preference may be given to seasonal products and suppliers operating within Nepal.
We also encourage responsible food planning to reduce unnecessary food waste.
Where imported or non-local products are necessary because of availability, food safety, dietary requirements, or the operating conditions of a particular destination, this does not automatically count against the accommodation provider.
The objective is to increase responsible local procurement where it is realistic and beneficial.
For products such as timber, paper, construction materials, food, beverages, cleaning products, and other supplies, accommodation providers are encouraged to consider durability, packaging, local availability, environmental impact, and responsible sourcing.
People, Employment and Working Conditions
A sustainable accommodation provider must also be responsible toward its employees.
We expect suppliers to comply with applicable Nepalese labor requirements and respect the basic rights of their employees.
Accommodation staff should have fair and safe working conditions, appropriate rest periods, reasonable working hours, lawful remuneration, and a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, exploitation, and abuse.
Employees should be able to leave employment according to applicable law and their employment terms without coercion or unlawful penalty.
We encourage accommodation providers to provide appropriate training, particularly in areas such as hygiene, food safety, emergency procedures, guest safety, environmental practices, and responsible service.
Local employment is encouraged because it allows tourism income to reach destination communities and can strengthen local capacity within the tourism sector.
Child Protection
Nepal Hiking Team has zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Accommodation providers must comply with applicable Nepalese requirements concerning child employment and must never use accommodation premises or tourism services to facilitate the exploitation of children.
Children below the applicable legal minimum working age must not be employed. Where young people between the legal minimum age and 18 are legally employed, appropriate safeguards and working conditions must be provided.
Accommodation providers are expected to take reasonable measures to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse of children on their premises and to report serious concerns to the appropriate authorities.
Any serious child-protection concern identified through our supplier relationship will be treated as a significant compliance matter.
Culture and Community
Accommodation should belong to its destination rather than erase the character of the place in which it operates.
Where appropriate, we encourage accommodation providers to preserve and reflect local architecture, materials, art, food, traditions, and cultural character.
We also expect suppliers to respect local customs and the rights of neighboring communities.
Accommodation providers should not purchase, display, sell, or promote archaeological, historical, religious, cultural, or protected objects when doing so is illegal or contributes to the removal of cultural heritage from its rightful context.
Where an accommodation provider contributes to local community initiatives, conservation, heritage protection, education, cultural events, or other community activities, Nepal Hiking Team considers this a positive contribution.
Biodiversity and Wildlife
Accommodation providers operating close to forests, national parks, conservation areas, rivers, wetlands, or other sensitive environments have a particular responsibility to minimize their impact.
We encourage suppliers to prevent litter, manage wastewater responsibly, avoid unnecessary disturbance to wildlife, and avoid products associated with illegal wildlife trade.
Accommodation providers should not knowingly offer food, souvenirs, decorations, or other products derived from protected or threatened species.
Where accommodation providers keep animals or offer animal-related experiences, we expect those activities to comply with applicable animal-welfare requirements and avoid unnecessary suffering, abuse, or exploitation.
Health, Safety and Guest Welfare
Sustainability cannot be separated from guest safety.
Nepal Hiking Team gives preference to accommodation providers that maintain appropriate standards of hygiene, sanitation, food safety, fire safety, electrical safety, emergency preparedness, and general guest welfare.
The appropriate standard depends on the location and type of accommodation. A remote teahouse will not have the same facilities as a city hotel, but it should still take reasonable measures to protect guests from foreseeable risks.
Where relevant, we encourage accommodation providers to maintain basic emergency information and procedures and to communicate important safety information to guests.
Accommodation in the Himalayan Trekking Regions
Mountain accommodation requires a practical approach.
Many trekking lodges and teahouses operate in areas where resources are transported over long distances, waste infrastructure is limited, water availability can be seasonal, and electricity may depend on local grids, micro-hydropower, solar systems, or generators.
For these suppliers, Nepal Hiking Team focuses on responsible resource use, local benefit, waste prevention, safe water and sanitation, appropriate energy use, reduction of unnecessary firewood consumption, protection of the surrounding environment, and respectful relationships with local communities.
We do not expect a small family-run teahouse to operate like a large Kathmandu hotel. Instead, we assess whether the establishment is making responsible decisions within its actual operating conditions and whether there are realistic opportunities for improvement.
Supplier Engagement and Improvement
Nepal Hiking Team recognizes that we often influence accommodation providers rather than directly control their daily operations.
Our approach is therefore based on:
Select → Communicate → Observe → Improve → Review
When a supplier does not meet a preferred practice, we may first discuss the issue with the owner or manager and explain why the practice matters.
Where practical, our guides, operations staff, reservation team, or Sustainability Coordinator may provide feedback based on observations or traveler experiences.
We may also encourage suppliers to pursue recognized sustainability standards or certification where these are appropriate and available.
Monitoring Our Accommodation Suppliers
Nepal Hiking Team does not rely solely on a supplier's sustainability statement.
Our understanding of accommodation performance may come from repeated operational experience, direct visits, guide observations, client feedback, discussions with accommodation managers, supplier documentation, certifications, and other credible information.
Where a concern is identified, we consider its seriousness, frequency, location, available alternatives, the supplier's response, and the possibility of improvement.
For recurring suppliers, relevant sustainability observations may be retained as part of our supplier-management records.
Recognition and Preference
Accommodation providers demonstrating stronger sustainability practices may receive preference when they meet the client's requirements for location, safety, quality, availability, and budget.
Where a recognized sustainability certification is available and relevant, this is considered positively during supplier selection.
However, Nepal Hiking Team does not describe an accommodation as "sustainable," "eco-friendly," "green," or "certified" unless the relevant claim can be supported.
This is important because a sustainability claim should describe an actual practice or independently recognized status rather than serve as a marketing label.
Corrective Action and Sanctions
Where a sustainability concern is identified, Nepal Hiking Team may first communicate the concern to the supplier and request reasonable corrective action.
For issues that can be improved through cooperation, we prefer to give the supplier an opportunity to demonstrate improvement.
However, certain issues are considered unacceptable. These include serious corruption or bribery, child sexual exploitation, serious human-rights violations, deliberate environmental harm, illegal wildlife activities, serious discrimination or abuse, or conduct that places guests or neighboring communities at significant risk.
Where serious violations are confirmed or where a supplier repeatedly refuses to address significant concerns, Nepal Hiking Team may suspend bookings, remove the supplier from its preferred list, terminate a contractual relationship, or cease future cooperation.
Supplier Code of Conduct
For regular accommodation suppliers, Nepal Hiking Team may incorporate the principles of this policy into a supplier agreement or Code of Conduct.
By working with Nepal Hiking Team, accommodation suppliers are expected to support responsible tourism practices relating to human rights, fair employment, child protection, community relations, environmental management, biodiversity, responsible procurement, guest safety, and ethical business conduct.
The supplier should communicate these expectations to relevant employees and take reasonable measures to ensure that its operations do not create avoidable harm to people, communities, or the environment.
Nepal Hiking Team may request reasonable evidence of relevant practices where necessary for supplier assessment or sustainability reporting.
Communication With Accommodation Providers
Our communication with accommodation suppliers is primarily practical and integrated into normal business relationships.
Sustainability expectations may be communicated through email, telephone conversations, booking correspondence, supplier meetings, contracts, digital vouchers, site visits, guide briefings, or direct discussions with owners and managers.
Where digital communication is possible, Nepal Hiking Team prefers electronic vouchers and documentation to reduce unnecessary paper consumption.
For regular suppliers with sufficient business volume, sustainability expectations may be incorporated into contractual arrangements or supplier codes of conduct.
What We Ask From Our Suppliers
Nepal Hiking Team communicates a clear expectation that accommodation providers should operate responsibly in the areas most relevant to their location.
This includes respect for human rights and labor standards, protection of children, prevention of sexual exploitation, responsible use of water and energy, reduction and proper handling of waste, reduction of unnecessary plastics, responsible procurement, protection of biodiversity, respect for local culture and communities, and prevention of corruption and bribery.
These expectations are not intended to create a paper-based compliance exercise. We want suppliers to understand the practical reason behind them and identify improvements that can actually be implemented.
Continuous Improvement
Nepal Hiking Team recognizes that there is no single accommodation model that is perfectly sustainable and that the challenges faced by a hotel in Kathmandu are different from those faced by a family-run lodge in the Himalayas.
Our objective is therefore to make better accommodation choices, understand the impacts associated with those choices, use our influence with suppliers, and progressively improve our accommodation supply chain.
We will periodically review supplier performance, feedback from travelers and guides, available sustainability certifications, changing conditions in destinations, and relevant sustainability standards.
Where improvements are realistic, we will communicate them to our accommodation partners and encourage practical action.
Responsibility and Review
The Managing Director has overall responsibility for approving this policy and providing organizational support for its implementation.
The Sustainability Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the policy, coordinating accommodation-related sustainability requirements, supporting supplier evaluation, recording significant concerns, and monitoring improvement actions.
The Reservation and Operations Teams are responsible for considering this policy when selecting and booking accommodation.
Guides and Trip Leaders play an important role in identifying practical issues at destination level and are encouraged to communicate relevant observations about accommodation performance.
This policy will be reviewed every two years, or earlier where necessary, to reflect changes in Nepal's tourism environment, supplier practices, applicable requirements, and recognized sustainability standards.
Post a Comment