Positive impact
Honeyguide wants to make the world a more beautiful and better place. To this end, we use the following positive impact criteria:
How do you measure positive impact?
In 2015, all member states of the United Nations (UN) signed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These should ensure that the world becomes a more beautiful, fairer and better place for people, animals and nature.
An initiative Honeyguide wholeheartedly supports. That is why we have developed 11 Positive Impact Criteria based on the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on the tourism industry. We check whether all our hidden gems and experiences meet one or more of our criteria. This is how we guarantee positive impact.
This way, we create a clear inspiration platform where you can find the most beautiful places and activities. For yourself, but also for the rest of the world. Together, we make the world a bit more beautiful.
Eat consciously
Healthy food is important for yourself, but also for the local economy and nature. By paying attention to where and what we eat, we make a difference and contribute to a sustainable food industry. Learn how our food is grown and choose the most sustainable option with fair shares for everyone. Happy farmers, healthy people and fine earnings for hard work. Grow your own fruit and vegetables, buy from local farmers, eat seasonal produce or try something from vegetarian or vegan cuisine.
Locations with an Eat Aware label are aware of:
- Sharing knowledge of sustainable agriculture and finding/growing your own food
- Promoting local and seasonal products, preferably organic and fair trade. Sometimes entirely vegan
Well-being
To be and stay healthy, we need the right balance, physically and mentally. Exercise enough, but above all take your rest. No stimuli for a while, but time for yourself with, for instance, a digital detox or a staycation in nature. And when you are sufficiently recharged, help others to feel good about themselves too.
Locations with a Welzijn label are aware of:
- raising awareness
- stimulating a good mental and physical balance
Education
You are never too old to enrich yourself. Get to know the stories behind destinations and the people who live there. Attention makes everything more beautiful and knowledge expands your world of experience. Empathise and see the world through other people's eyes, because that way we create more understanding for each other. Hidden gems and experiences labelled 'education' encourage people to keep learning and ensure that everyone has access to education.
Locations with an Education label are aware of:
- offering a place where young and old can (continue to) learn
- Making knowledge accessible to everyone
Equality
We believe that everyone is equal and deserves equal opportunities. So-called safespaces contribute to this: places where everyone is welcome, regardless of skin colour, gender, orientation, origin or profession.Growing in a sustainable and inclusive way; we do that together. Support local entrepreneurs, actively ask about the working conditions of the workers who make your products and pay a fair price.
Locations with an Equality label are consciously working on:
- creating a safe place where everyone is welcome
- actively pursuing good and safe working conditions for employees
- giving extra attention to people in an oppressed position
- Promoting local employment
Connection
East West, Home Best. Let us take our responsibility to make our hometown a nice and beautiful place. Nature is also part of your neighbourhood and a home for many animals. Be mindful of it. Towns and villages should be inclusive, safe and sustainable. Don't let your neighbours be strangers, but acquaintances or friends. As a traveller, you also contribute to local love; your presence affects the place, just as the place can give you the proverbial butterflies in your stomach.
Locations with a Connection label are consciously working on:
- Welcoming new people to the neighbourhood
- Creating a meeting place for locals and travellers
- Ensuring an inclusive neighbourhood
- protecting local nature and animals
Zero waste
Together, we can reduce the CO2 footprint per person! Learn more about sustainable packaging and try to live by the three Rs: re-use, repair and recycle. Combat food waste and give an experience as a gift instead of a physical product. Honeyguide is full of hidden gems for a fun day out and many of its member entrepreneurs have taken measures to reduce (plastic) waste.
Locations with a Zero Waste label are aware of:
- the circular economy
- reducing (plastic) waste
- reducing food waste
- Promoting experiences instead of gadgets
- Knowledge transfer aimed at sustainable development
Climate
Climate buddies are the future. With rising greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is taking place much faster than expected and its effects are clearly being felt worldwide. Fortunately, there are many small things we can easily do. For example, eat less meat and discover delicious vegan cuisine. Leave the car or plane and go for a nice walk or bike ride. On Honeyguide, you will find several beautiful walking routes and tasty, conscious eateries: all of which are climates that (in)directly fight climate change.
Locations with a Climate labelare consciously working on:
- offering solutions to climate issues
- reducing emissions
- promoting a more plant-based diet (less meat and dairy)
- Promoting walking and cycling
Conscious consumption
Quality over quantity. Take a moment in the shop to think about what you buy. Do I really need this? And if the answer is 'yes', is this the most conscious choice? Choose sustainable purchases and consume consciously. This can mean shopping at a second-hand shop, or you can choose a new product with a sustainable design and a fair-trade label.
Locations with a Consume Conscious label are aware of:
- raising the quality of products
- offering sustainable, fair-trade products that are less harmful to people, animals and the planet
Clean oceans
Water is the origin of all life on this planet. Water makes up 70.9% of our planet. So we should take care of our rivers, oceans and the life in them! Learn more about our seas and marine life on the Wadden Islands, for example. Clean up your rubbish so that it does not end up in the water and reject unnecessary plastic. Because although our oceans may seem clean, they are full of microplastics that cause problems for marine animals. Eventually, these plastics even make their way back into our own food cycle. In short, let's keep our waters clean together!
Locations with a Clean Oceans label are aware of:
- reducing unnecessary plastic packaging
- serving sustainably caught fish
- Spreading knowledge about rivers, seas and marine life
- Cleaning up litter that might otherwise end up in the sea
Nature conservation
Biodiversity and ecosystems must be protected, so go out and learn more about the wonders of nature. Protect local plants and animals. Omit products made from protected species and support companies that protect and help restore nature. There are plenty of wonderful hiking trails to help you get in touch with nature. Or join a wild-picking workshop to learn more about the plants in the forest.
Locations with a Nature Conservation label are consciously working on:
- Promoting beautiful local nature
- protecting local plants and animals
- putting you in touch with nature
Cultural preservation
Cultural heritage tells a special story. That is why we support initiatives aimed at preserving cultural sites or expressions. Material heritage such as monumental buildings that are given a new purpose by opening a museum or special restaurant. Or intangible heritage such as crafts and maintaining local traditions. Cultural heritage offers a glimpse into the past and can contribute to forming a cultural identity.
Locations with a Culture Preservation label are consciously working on:
- preserving monumental buildings
- telling a piece of socio-cultural history
- honouring craftsmanship
- protecting cultural heritage