The Golden Rules
Sustainable development is one of the pillars of our company. In order to keep this objective at the forefront, we have developed The Golden Rules. These rules are based off the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, which we have studied and adapted to fit the Polynesian community.
When traveling with Nani Travels, we encourage you to follow these Golden Rules. On our end, we will provide an experience that respects our land, culture, and community.
1. Love marine life
Before diving into our waters, remember to protect your skin with coral-safe sunscreen. This will help protect your body, our marine life, and the ocean!
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When choosing water activities, prioritize the ones that create noise pollution (snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boards...)
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Refrain from touching the live coral (the colorful ones) and the marine life
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Do not engage in any activities that can affect the marine life's behavior, like feeding the marine life
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Admire our ocean and marine life, but do not take anything back home with you: corals, seashells... the ocean is their home!
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Do not through anything into the ocean, particularly cigarette butts
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Use coral-safe sunscreen
Why?
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Noise pollution can affect the well-being and reproduction of marine life.
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Corals are living beings that suffer tremendously from climate change. We must do our best to protect them from chemical exposure.
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Only zoo animals require human intervention. The marine life learns to feed themselves, so let's not affect their natural habitat and behavior.
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Touching marine life or wildlife can remove a protective layer from their skin and expose them to illnesses.
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Corals and sea shells, dead or alive, are critical to the survival of the marine ecosystem by providing shelter for many animals, like baby fish and hermit crabs.
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One cigarette butt contains more than 4000 chemicals and pollutes 500 Liters of water.
3. Reduce, reuse, recycle
Prioritize sustainable habits that create a low-carbon impact - for example, pick a reusable bottle, a bamboo straw, or a reusable plastic bag.
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Never accept single-use plastic items (coffee sticks, one-time-use plates, plastic bags)
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Bring a reusable water bottle with you everywhere you go, and if you need to buy a drink like a soda, buy one in a soda can instead of a plastic bottle
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Shop zero-waste for your shampoo, soap, toothpaste…
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When possible, reuse or recycle your items instead of throwing them away. If you must throw away an item, sort the item appropriately.
Why?
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Each year, 13 million tons of waste are found in the ocean, killing more than 1 million birds and 100 000 marine animals
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Plastic is one of the worst waste materials: it turns into microplastic which enters the food chain with all of its toxic, neurotoxic, immunotoxic, carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting effects.
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160 tons of waste are buried every day in Tahiti. This facility will be at capacity soon, which means that we will need to find a new way to handle our waste.
5. Choose natural products
When buying artisanal products, you buy an item created from the heart. Supporting a local artisan allows them to live their passion and create more authentically made items.
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Avoid any silicone, paraben, oxybenzone or octinoxate in your cosmetics
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Prioritize sustainable and biodegradable products
Why?
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Chemicals act as endocrine disruptors and can also have neurotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic effects. Due to a poor water treatment system in our islands, these chemicals can cause coral bleaching, marine life illnesses, DNA damage, reproductive defects, and deaths.
2. Protect our biodiversity
French Polynesia is home to a rich and beautiful biodiversity which we must preserve at all costs.
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Noise pollution can affect the well-being and reproduction of marine life.
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Corals are living beings that suffer tremendously from climate change. We must do our best to protect them from chemical exposure.
-
Only zoo animals require human intervention. The marine life learns to feed themselves, so let's not affect their natural habitat and behavior.
-
Touching marine life or wildlife can remove a protective layer from their skin and expose them to illnesses.
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Corals and sea shells, dead or alive, are critical to the survival of the marine ecosystem by providing shelter for many animals, like baby fish and hermit crabs.
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One cigarette butt contains more than 4000 chemicals and pollutes 500 Liters of water.
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At night, turn off all unecessary lights to eliminate light pollution.
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Admire our flowers and plants, but do not take them.
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When traveling in the mountains and valleys, take all your trask with you, even food waste.
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Clean your shoes when you return from a hike.
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Never travel with plants, fruits, or grains from one island to another.
Why?
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Light pollution can affect certain endangered bird species.
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Many flowers, plants, and trees are endangered and/or protected species.
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Food waste can lead to an increase in the local rat population. Unfortunately, rats are an invasive species that are a threat to certain protected and endangered trees and birds.
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Shoes can propagate seeds from invasive plants or fire ants, which are dangers to our fauna and flora.
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Certain insects and harmful plant species can propagate through fruits, plants, and seeds.
4. Reduce your ecological footprint
Replace your jet ski excursion with a traditional va'a! Choose activities that create the least environmental impact.
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Turn off the water faucet while you wash your hair or brush your teeth.
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Buy local products as much as possible to reduce your CO2 emissions.
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Reduce your electricity consumption and prioritize low-carbon activities.
Why?
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Water is a precious resource. Our islands are vulnerable to water shortages and water contamination.
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CO2 emission reduction is one of Nani Travels' priorities, which is why we create low-carbon immersions and compensate your carbon emissions from your lodging and transportation via our carbon offsetting partner Greentripper.
6. Say 'Ia Ora Na and Māuruuru
These two magic works, "Hello" and "Thank You", spoken in Tahitian, will bring a smile to all the locals you meet!
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Adapt to local customs, say a few words in Tahitian, and immerse yourself in our culture
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Refrain from touching sacred objects or entering sacred sites
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"Ia ora na" literally means "I wish you life" and is used to say "Hello"; Māuruuru means "thank you"
Why?
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Sustainable tourism is about respecting our planet and our fellow human beings' customs and cultures.
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We hope that you immerse yourself fully in our traditions and become international ambassadors of our culture.