Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy

Scope of this Policy

This Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy applies to Discover the World’s global operations, including our offices, employees, contractors and partner organisations across our international network.

The policy outlines our commitment to responsible business practices. It guides how we integrate environmental stewardship, social responsibility and strong governance into our day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.

Our Business

Discover the World is a travel-related services company with global operations in more than sixty countries. We provide sales and marketing services, business process outsourcing, and risk management for travel and tourism organisations worldwide.

Through our global office network and hybrid working policies, we employ or partner with more than six hundred sales and marketing professionals. Headquartered in the USA and the UK, Discover the World operates in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards across all aspects of our business.

As a global organisation operating in the travel industry, we recognise the importance of responsible business practices and our role in supporting a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Our ESG Commitment

Discover the World is committed to integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into our business strategy and operations.

Through our Step Up Programme – “sharing our journey for a better sustainable world” – we work to reduce our environmental impact, support our people and communities, and ensure responsible governance throughout our global operations.

Our ESG strategy is guided by our company values: Brave, Spirited, Strong and True, and aims to create long-term value for our clients, partners, employees and communities while contributing to a more sustainable and equitable travel industry.

Environmental Responsibility

Reducing our environmental impact and supporting the transition to a lower-carbon travel industry.

As a global organisation within the travel sector, we recognise our responsibility to reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainable practices across our operations.

Discover the World is committed to supporting the transition to a lower-carbon future, with the long-term target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across our operations by 2050. As part of this journey, we continue to identify opportunities to reduce our environmental footprint and encourage responsible practices throughout our global business.

Our environmental initiatives include:

• Reducing waste and encouraging responsible resource use across our offices
• Promoting efficient printing practices and the use of recycled materials where possible
• Encouraging responsible energy and water usage by employees
• Recycling materials wherever possible
• Using digital technologies to reduce unnecessary travel
• Encouraging the use of public transportation and low-emission vehicles where travel is required
• Sourcing sustainable services and suppliers when planning meetings and events
• Selecting sustainably accredited hotels and venues where possible
• Promoting energy-saving initiatives across our global teams
• Running internal awareness campaigns to encourage sustainable behaviour
• Building a network of internal sustainability champions across our offices

We also recognise that meaningful progress requires collaboration. Discover the World will work with our clients, partners, suppliers and industry stakeholders to encourage responsible travel practices and support sustainability initiatives across the wider travel ecosystem.

These actions form part of our ongoing ESG strategy to reduce our environmental impact and support a more sustainable travel industry.

Measuring Our Progress

Discover the World continuously works to improve and measure the environmental impact of our operations. As part of this approach, we are committed to achieving an industry-leading sustainability certification to help guide our progress and ensure our practices align with recognised standards. We are proud to have achieved ECOsmart Certification, developed by Greengage Solutions, across our global network. The ECOsmart framework provides a structured approach to improving environmental performance within the travel and hospitality sectors.

By working towards recognised certifications and implementing measurable sustainability initiatives, we aim to strengthen transparency, support continuous improvement, and demonstrate our commitment to responsible business practices.

We will continue to monitor and report progress on our sustainability initiatives as our ESG programme develops across our global network.

Social Responsibility

Supporting our people, communities and the future workforce of the travel industry.

Supporting Communities

Through the Discover the World Step Up Programme, we bring together a global network of charitable and community initiatives that reflect our belief in the positive power of travel and the importance of freedom, opportunity and environmental protection.

Our global charity partner is World Bicycle Relief, an organisation that empowers people in rural communities by providing bicycles as a reliable form of transportation. This mobility improves access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

In addition to our global partnership, our country teams are encouraged to support local charitable causes aligned with our values. We also support employee participation in community initiatives through paid volunteering days.

Career Development and Industry Engagement

Discover the World is committed to promoting career opportunities within the travel industry and supporting professional development for our people.
Our initiatives include:

• Apprenticeship and mentoring programmes
• Industry event participation and presentations
• Partnerships with industry organisations
• Volunteering initiatives
• Structured onboarding and training programmes
• Sustainability modular training programme to build awareness and support responsible business practices
• Learning and development opportunities
• Funded professional development courses
• Global career opportunities through our international network
• Employee surveys to gather feedback and improve our workplace

Our People
Our people are at the heart of Discover the World. Their expertise, passion and dedication define our company and drive the success of our clients and partners.
We strive to create an inclusive and supportive working environment where employees feel valued and empowered. Our initiatives include:

• Our global Red Shoe employee recognition programme
• Staff engagement surveys
• Transparent policies and procedures
• Open internal communications
• Global meetings and events
• Continuous learning and development opportunities
• Monthly “People Meets” sessions for open dialogue
• Dedicated HR support
• Recognition and celebration of employee achievements

Equal Opportunities
Discover the World is an equal opportunities employer committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment.
We promote equality of opportunity and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Our aim is to ensure that every employee is treated fairly and with respect and that no individual is subjected to discrimination, bullying or harassment.

Governance

Operating our business with transparency, ethical standards and responsible oversight.

Strong governance is fundamental to the way Discover the World operates. We are committed to conducting business ethically, transparently and responsibly.
Our governance approach includes:

• Implementation of the Discover the World Global Network Offices Employment Charter to support responsible employment practices and governance standards across all offices
• Compliance with all relevant laws and regulations across the markets in which we operate
• Ethical business conduct guided by our company values
• Transparent and accountable management practices
• Responsible procurement and supply chain management
• Internal policies and procedures supporting ethical conduct and compliance

Responsible Partnerships and Supply Chain

We work with a wide range of global partners and service providers, many of whom have established sustainability strategies and responsible business commitments of their own. We seek to collaborate with organisations that share our values and commitment to responsible business practices.

Our approach includes:

• Procuring services and products from established organisations with recognised sustainability goals and governance frameworks
• Supporting respect for human rights, ethical business practices and fair working conditions across our partner network
• Encouraging collaboration with partners to reduce environmental impacts, including carbon emissions where possible
• Maintaining transparent, professional and accountable relationships with suppliers and partners
• Promoting awareness of responsible sourcing and sustainability considerations in procurement decisions

ESG Governance and Oversight

Responsibility for overseeing and implementing Discover the World’s ESG commitments rests with our senior leadership team, supported by regional management and internal programme champions across our global network.

Through our Step Up Programme, ESG initiatives are coordinated and communicated across the organisation, ensuring that environmental, social and governance considerations are integrated into day-to-day operations and decision-making.

Our leadership team regularly reviews ESG initiatives, policies and progress to ensure alignment with our company values, regulatory requirements and evolving industry standards. This oversight supports transparency, accountability and the continuous improvement of our responsible business practices.

Ongoing Commitment

Discover the World is committed to continuously improving our ESG performance.

This ESG Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect evolving regulations, industry best practices, and the continued development of our sustainability initiatives.

Through our Step Up Programme, we will continue sharing our journey toward a more responsible, sustainable and inclusive future.

Last updated: April 2026