Supplier Charter of The Terra Panamerica Tribe
Supplier Charter of The Terra Panamerica Tribe
Version April 2025
Purpose of the Supplier Charter
The Supplier Charter guarantees the quality of the services provided by the Terra Panamerica Tribe agencies. It establishes common standards adapted to the reality of each agency, in line with our vision of sustainable tourism. The Supplier Charter clarifies how our selection criteria and evaluation processes operate, enabling us to offer our clients high-end journeys through a catalog of preferred suppliers, with whom our agencies maintain trust-based relationships and up-to-date knowledge.
This document is both proof of our commitment as a group of inbound agencies united around shared values, and a testimony of our practices made available to our partners (tour operators, travel agencies, service providers, teams, etc.), as well as to our clients. It demonstrates our exemplary standards and the conditions required to collaborate with us.
The Supplier Charter is available in French, English, and Spanish, making it accessible to the widest possible range of stakeholders.
The Terra Panamerica Supplier Charter is reviewed regularly to adapt to the evolution of our sector and to ensure a high level of requirements.
Scope and Implementation
Its implementation is adapted to the geopolitical, social, and economic context of each destination. Our agency countries face different realities, which may make certain criteria more or less relevant. For this reason, the Panamerica Charter brings together all the generic criteria applicable to every agency; it serves as a foundation for the local Supplier Charters of each agency, which complement the Tribe’s version by integrating local realities and issues, while upholding shared values and commitments.
- General Criteria Applicable to All Providers
- Compliance with Legislation and Labor Standards
Respect for all local laws, including legal working age, rest periods, minimum wages, and required licenses or registrations to operate.
- Prevention of Exploitation and Cultural Misuse
A formal commitment against child labor, sex tourism, and the folkloric or caricatured exploitation of local cultures. Promotion of authentic and respectful representations of traditions.
- Transparency and Professional Ethics
Adherence to ethical business conduct, rejection of corruption, and promotion of fair and transparent contractual practices with partners, employees, and clients.
- Decent Working Conditions
Importance given to the physical and mental well-being of employees: safety, respect for working hours, training, insurance, and a healthy work environment.
- Local Engagement and Economic Fairness
Active integration into the local economy through local hiring, sourcing from local producers, and contributing to community projects.
- Responsible Supply Chain
Selection of their own suppliers based on consistent CSR criteria (environment, labor, ethics), ensuring a coherent overall value chain.
- Environmental Management
Reduction of environmental impact through practices like waste sorting and reduction, energy consumption control, and the use of sustainable materials or energy.
- Client Awareness
Informing and raising awareness among clients about responsible behaviors during their trip, and promoting more mindful tourism.
- Possession or Pursuit of Certifications OR Labels and certifications
Possession or active pursuit of certifications or initiatives demonstrating a commitment to sustainable tourism or responsible management.
- Ongoing Sustainability Training
Staff is trained or regularly sensitized to the social, cultural, and environmental issues of tourism.
- Specific Criteria for Accommodations
- Sustainable Water and Energy Management
Implementation of water-saving devices (low-flow showers, reuse systems), energy-saving measures (LED lighting, motion detectors, renewable energy), and usage monitoring.
- Preservation of Cultural and Architectural Heritage
Respect and enhancement of local heritage through architecture, decoration, services, or staff, avoiding tourism standardization.
- Biodiversity and Ecotourism Policies
Commitment to environmental protection and promotion of gentle, nature-based activities that avoid ecosystem degradation.
- Accessibility and Inclusion
Accessible infrastructure and services for people with reduced mobility or disabilities, with an inclusive hospitality approach.
- Monitoring and Evaluation of Social and Ecological Impact
Regular evaluation of the activity’s impact and adjustment of practices accordingly (client surveys, internal diagnostics, indicators).
- Specific Criteria for Transportation
- Safety and Legal Compliance
Strict respect for safety regulations, prohibition of driving under the influence, compliance with drivers’ rest times, and vehicle maintenance standards.
- Carbon Footprint Reduction
Preference for low-emission vehicles, route optimization, openness to alternative transport modes (biking, boating, walking, train, etc.), and implementation of carbon offset systems.
- Energy Efficiency and Innovation
Exploration of new technologies (electric or hybrid vehicles, energy recovery) to reduce transportation-related emissions.
- Specific criteria for activities
Respect for wildlife, flora, and natural environments
Guarantee of no harm to local species or ecosystems, prohibition of interactions with captive or sensitive animals, and protection of natural sites.Environmental and cultural education
Inclusion of educational components in activities, highlighting the understanding of ecosystems, local knowledge, and the history of the territory.Eco-responsible equipment and safety
Use of environmentally friendly equipment, adapted to the activity, ensuring participant safety.Inclusion and diversity
Activities should promote cultural and social diversity and involve representatives from local or underrepresented communities.Continuous impact evaluation
Monitoring of practices, collection of feedback, and adjustment of offers to minimize negative impacts.List of Supplier Charters by agency
- TERRA Colombia
- TERRA Caribea
- TERRA Nicaragua
- TERRA Guatemala
- TERRA Maya
- TERRA Canada
Note: some agencies are still in the process of creating their local Supplier Charters. Until their publication, the Panamerica Charter remains the reference document for selecting local providers.
List of recommended international labels
- Travelife
- B Corp
- EarthCheck
- Biosphere Sustainable
- High Quality Whale Watching
- Leave No Trace
Note on sustainable certifications: Our tourism activity focuses on small-scale, local offers, favoring small local partners often located in remote areas, outside highly developed tourist infrastructures. As a result, many of our providers are not certified, not because they fail to meet the criteria, but rather due to isolation, lack of resources, or because certification practices are not widespread locally. While we pay attention to sustainable certifications, we therefore consider them a welcome bonus rather than a strict selection criterion.
