Sustainability
Preserving Our Heritage, Protecting Our Future
As a family business with over 210 years of history in Madeira, Blatas Lda – Blandy Travel & Shipping has played an integral role in the development of the island’s tourism and maritime sectors.
We believe responsible tourism requires a shared commitment from all industry actors — governments, airlines, tour operators, hoteliers, team members, and individual travelers. Our goal is to ensure our operations create a positive social, cultural, economic, and environmental impact across all destinations we serve.
Our Four Pillars of Action
1. Sustainability Management & Legal Compliance
We are dedicated to ethical management, accountability, and continuous improvement:
-Dedicated Sustainability Coordinator: An appointed employee oversees our sustainability action plan and can be reached directly at sustainability@blandytravel.com.
-Regulatory Compliance: We strictly adhere to all national laws, regulations, and industry codes of conduct.
-Target-Driven Plan: We maintain a structured action plan with clear goals, measures, and baseline performance evaluations.
2. Supply Chain Responsibility
We recognize that supply chains generate significant tourism impacts and require active management:
-Local Preference: We prioritize working with locally owned and managed suppliers that employ local staff and support the regional economy.
-Certified Partners: Preference is given to partners holding GSTC-accredited, ISO, B Corp, or Green Key sustainability certifications.
-Supplier Code of Conduct: We require suppliers to respect human rights, child protection laws, fair employment conditions, and anti-corruption standards.
3. Environmental Protection & Circularity
We minimize our direct operational footprint by applying the 5Rs principle (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle):
-Energy & Water Conservation: Constant monitoring and reduction measures in all offices and common areas.
-Reduction of Single-Use Items: Elimination of non-refillable plastic bottles and implementation of an "internet-only" brochure policy.
-Responsible Printing: Strict paper reduction guidelines, utilizing only FSC-certified high post-consumer recycled paper and double-sided grayscale printing.
-Waste Management: Systematic sorting and recycling of paper, plastic, glass, metal, organic, and hazardous waste through municipal services.
-Low-Carbon Work Practices: Encouraging remote work, video conferences, and energy-efficient equipment purchases.
4. People, Human Rights & Community Support
Our employees and local communities are our greatest asset:
-Diversity & Non-Discrimination: We enforce strict non-discrimination policies across recruitment, working conditions, and professional growth regardless of gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
-Health & Safety: Regular training programs on health, safety, fire hazards, and natural disasters are conducted, with first aid resources available at key locations.
-Education & Social Impact: We support employees whose children attend university and participate in the Blandy Academic Scholarships program for University of Madeira (UMa) students facing financial hardship.
-Charitable Support: We actively contribute to local community projects and charitable organizations annually.
Customer Communication & Responsible Travel
We empower our guests to make informed and responsible choices before, during, and after their journeys:
- Privacy & Transparency: Compliance with GDPR standards and complete clarity regarding pricing, services, and sustainability claims.
- Cultural & Natural Respect: Providing insights on local heritage, protected ecosystems, and legislation concerning threatened flora/fauna and historical artifacts.
- Local Economic Engagement: Encouraging travelers to dine at local eateries, purchase regional products, and support local charitable initiatives.
- Client Feedback: Continuously collecting traveller satisfaction data to refine and improve our sustainable service offerings.
Official Policy Document
Our Sustainability Policy has been formally approved by the Board of Directors of Blatas Lda.
Download Official Sustainability Policy
Contact Our Sustainability Coordinator
Have questions or suggestions about our sustainability practices?
Email: sustainability@blandytravel.com
Proudly Travelife Certified
We are honored to hold the Travelife Certification, an internationally recognized standard for sustainability in tourism. This achievement reflects our rigorous commitment to responsible management, ethical business practices, and the continuous protection of our environment and local communities.
