At Gondwana Brasil, we see sustainability not as a goal for tomorrow, but as a responsibility for today. That’s why we’ve joined Travelife for Tour Operators and Travel Agents, one of the world’s leading sustainability certification schemes in the travel industry.
What is Travelife?
Travelife is an international programme that supports tour operators and travel agencies in building more responsible and sustainable practices across their businesses. Backed by leading industry associations, it provides a framework for aligning company operations with globally recognised sustainability standards.
As the organisation puts it:
“Companies ready to get to work towards sustainability will, therefore, score better on customer satisfaction, staff motivation and business efficiency — with positive effects for their competitive advantage. Sustainability management is all about commitment and consistent sustainable business practices. This includes your products, how you monitor and manage your impacts, and how you support your suppliers on their road to sustainability.”
The programme follows three progressive stages:
- Travelife Engaged
- Travelife Partner
- Travelife Certified
We’re currently at the first stage — Travelife Engaged — and have already begun working towards the next.
Picking up the thread with purpose
“This process first began in 2023, when I started studying the Travelife criteria and mapping out what certification would mean for us”, explains Daniela Meres, co-director at Gondwana Brasil.
“We had to pause the process temporarily to focus on internal priorities related to the company’s growth and structure. Now, we’re back on track — clearer, more aligned, and building from a stronger foundation. It’s not a restart, but a continuation with more clarity, confidence and a more experienced, committed team”.
The path to certification
To progress to the Travelife Partner stage, we must meet over 100 sustainability criteria across five key areas that shape our day-to-day:
- Office operations: resource use, workplace policies and internal systems that support sustainable practices
- Product development: travel experiences that respect cultural heritage, natural ecosystems and local economies
- Working with suppliers: collaborating with partners who share our ethical and environmental commitments
- Customer relations: open and engaging communication that helps travellers make more conscious choices
- Destinations: contributing to the wellbeing of local communities and the protection of the environments we visit
A long-term commitment
Our goal is to become Travelife Certified — the highest level of the programme — by the first half of 2026. This will take ongoing training, supplier engagement and a strong internal culture of sustainability embedded in everything we do.
But more than a label, this is about walking the talk. For us, sustainability must go beyond intention — it must be structured, verifiable, and externally recognised. That’s why Travelife is the right partner for this journey.
Staying on course, guided by purpose
Gondwana Brasil was created to help people experience Brasil differently — through deeper connections, local perspectives, and respect for the natural world. Joining Travelife is one more step in that direction.
We’re proud to be part of this global movement, and we remain committed to doing our part — with transparency, consistency, and purpose at the centre of every decision.
To everyone who walks this path with us: thank you.
