General overview of our policy:

1. Commitment to Sustainability
   Local Guide is dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Vatnajökull National Park through responsible tourism, emphasizing climate education and sustainable management of the environment.
2. Environmental Stewardship
   • Implements measures to reduce emissions, including fuel-efficient vehicles, minimized super jeep use, and carpooling.
   • Carbon offsets are achieved by planting trees with Kolviður, offsetting 169 tons of CO₂ in 2023-2024.
   • Promotes waste reduction and recycling, encouraging guests to leave sites better than they found them.
3. Education and Awareness
   • Guides educate visitors about climate change, glacier ecosystems, and responsible tourism practices.
   • Encourages sustainable travel behaviors, such as using refillable water bottles and supporting initiatives like the “Icelandic Pledge.”
   • Maintains small group sizes to minimize environmental disturbance and create meaningful conservation discussions.
4. Leadership in Glacier Tourism
   • Pioneers in ice cave tours and safety protocols, contributing to industry standards through expertise and innovation.
   • All guides are certified, and team members serve as instructors and contributors to safety committees, ensuring exceptional standards.
5. Support for Local Community
   • Actively supports the local economy by sourcing from local businesses and funding community projects, such as educational initiatives and infrastructure.
   • Provides housing for staff, enhancing local value and reducing commute distances.
6. Continuous Improvement
   Local Guide reviews and updates its practices regularly, investing in sustainable technologies, employee welfare, and conservation efforts. Its commitment to environmental and community impact aligns with global sustainable tourism standards.

1. Introduction and mission statement 

We are Local Guide, a family-owned company that lives and works around Vatnajökull National Park. Us and our team connect the deep passion to explore the glacier and it lays close to our hearts to protect the environment in our backyard. We have a powerful combination of different backgrounds, passions and strengths within the Local Guide team and as a company with experience in the travel industry since 1991, we know the importance of sustainable tourism not just within the National Park, but overall.

Local Guide is a professional and authentic company that has its goals set into bringing people together to experience the beauty of Iceland while learning and educating about climate change and sustainability. Some might say we are just a small piece in the big puzzle but we firmly believe that every action counts.

Our mission statement is our commitment to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Vatnajökull National Park through responsible tourism practices in the past, present and future.

2. Leadership in Safety and Tourism Standards 

Since the beginning, safety has been the highest priority for our company and we always go beyond what is required to make sure our team is the most educated and qualified to provide glacier excursions throughout the year, including glacier hikes and ice cave tours. Our team is following protocols and company values which are available for each team member and being updated in a regular manner in our internal Staff Handbook. Recently, Vatnajökull National Park established a committee, the “Fagráð”, dedicated to enhancing safety standards for ice cave tours. Two of Local Guide’s glacier experts serve on this committee as volunteers, contributing to industry-wide safety improvements. As well as establishing the groundwork for an ice cave course with AIMG, putting all of our knowledge out there, to improve the safety in our industry, we have 3 of our team qualified as teachers. All guides are certified by the Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides, and the company adheres to rigorous safety protocols to address the inherent risks of ice cave exploration and glacier hikes. These efforts ensure the highest safety standards for clients and staff alike.

2.1 Leading and Inspirational in Glacier Tourism: Expertise and Innovation

Local Guide stands at the forefront of the glacier tourism industry, driven by years of experience, deep knowledge, and a commitment to safety. The company’s leadership and innovation have played a crucial role in shaping the glacier tourism landscape in Iceland.

Pioneering Glacier Hiking and Ice Cave Tours: As the first company to offer daily ice cave tours in Iceland, Local Guide’s extensive experience has been instrumental in developing and establishing a certified course for Ice Cave Tour guiding. This involvement has significantly improved safety standards and enriched the knowledge base for ice cave tours, positioning the company as a trailblazer in this unique field of tourism. Its expertise and dedication to providing safe, immersive, and educational experiences have made it a go-to company for both novice and experienced adventurers.

Shaping Safety Standards: The company is also a leader in developing and forming safety protocols for glacier-related tourism. By prioritizing safety and environmental sustainability, Local Guide has set new standards for the industry, ensuring the well-being of both clients and the fragile glacier environment.

3. Environmental Stewardship 

Local Guide has implemented measurements to minimize the emissions from transportation, facilities and operations. As our super jeeps have a higher impact on the environment we are minimizing their use as much as possible. We are doing so by leaving the biggest cars for the winter when we really need them. We have replaced older cars for more fuel efficient versions and added less modified cars with smaller tires to the team for the use on easier roads and in summer conditions. We are currently testing a shuttle system to use the seats in the cars better than before and minimize the amount of cars on the road. This will have a positive impact on the conditions of the road, traffic and lessen the signs of wear and tear on cars and tires. The Local Guide Team is always exploring the options for alternative energy sources and adapting to new energy efficient technologies.

With the generous option of the National Park we are able to leave some of our super jeeps overnight at our meeting locations. Therefore our guides are able to use unmodified cars on the main road to get from our local base to the meeting points. We encourage them to share car rides as much as possible.

We chose the location of the Local Guide base close to our operations as we are mindful of the additional kilometers driven on the main road as well as within the National Park. Our summer meeting location in Freysnes allows us just like the winter meeting location at Jökulsárlón, to keep the ways short and enhance the experience. Purchasing land and buildings in the area allows us to offer housing to all of our guides and adding value to the local market and community in Öræfi.

Both at the base, in our personal living spaces and on our tours we have implemented comprehensive waste management to reduce and recycle. We are educating both our staff and guests about the correct waste disposal practices. We encourage our clients to not just leave no trace behind, but leave every place better than they found it by picking up litter and recycling it accordingly.

At Local Guide we offset our carbon footprint at the end of each year by planting trees in Iceland with Kolviður – the Iceland Carbon Fund. The ICF was founded by the Icelandic Forestry Association and the Icelandic Environment Association. We joined the fund in 2018 and since then we carbon offset all of our tours. Our recent contribution from 2023 and 2024 equaled 169 tons of Carbon Dioxide being offset. We have decided to not charge our guests anything extra to offset their carbon footprint and therefore it is also not optional. We want to make sure every tour and driven kilometer is being carbon neutralized as we believe this should be the standard in the industry.

Moreover, Local Guide as a workplace has a flexible policy on remote office work reducing commuting and  usage of vehicles. We believe that this approach contributes to staff wellbeing and the environmental outcome is a great added value here.

As locals we are visiting some areas of the National Park more than anybody else we are aware about the sensitive habitat and biodiversity. We want to protect and follow the established regulations of the National Park to contribute to the conservation efforts. Local Guide takes a big part in working on the access to the glacier both on the road and on the ice itself to make it safe and accessible not just for us and our clients but also other companies. We follow the road, are committed to no offroad driving and are leaving no traces behind.

3.1 Education and Awareness 

Every day we are bringing clients from all over the world to the glacier and into ice caves. They get to experience the beauty of this natural environment but are learning so much more during the short time we get to spend with them. Our guides are passionate about providing guests with information about the fragile ecosystem and cultural heritage of Vatnajökull National Park. We want to educate every person we meet on climate change and responsible behavior. During the tours we are respecting the environment and wildlife we might encounter. In preparation for our clients trips to Iceland we encourage them on sustainable travel options like bringing a refillable water bottle to enjoy the Icelandic tap water and support campaigns like “Kranavatn” or the “Icelandic pledge” to promote responsible tourism during their entire visit to the country.

We offer a wide variety of different tours from our shorter encounters to full day excursions. On the shorter tours we might not be able to go into every detail but we are able to reach more people of different backgrounds and hope they continue their travels in Iceland as more responsible tourists. If we are spending full days with guests, we often encounter deep discussions, leaving an impact both on clients and guides alike to thrive towards our common goal of an educated and aware society.

We are limiting our group sizes on all our tours to ensure minimal disturbance to the natural habitats and cultural site of the National Park. The smaller group sizes allow us low-impact explorations and more room for detailed conservation and teaching moments. Local Guide is aware of other companies schedules and we are always making an effort to adapt and improve our timings to accommodate everyone in a responsible manner as part of our responsible visitor conduct.

3.2 Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation 

The Vatnajökull National Park was included in the UNESCO world heritage list. Apart from the honor of living and working around a place of unique global interest, we are taking this as an opportunity to constantly improve our practices and review the tourism industry in a location like this.

With the history of Local Guide being closely connected to the area for many years, we are thriving towards awareness and preservation, so we can pass this on to future generations. We are deeply committed to pass this legacy on to everyone joining us for the short or long term. As a UNESCO world heritage site belongs to all people we hope to be able to bring many generations to come to witness the wonders of Vatnajökull and learn about our identity while honoring the nature and history around it.

4. Local Sourcing 

Alongside the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage we are engaging with and supporting the local community in any aspect that we can. Local Guide is publishing a blog to inform travelers about the area, responsible tourism and also giving recommendations about accommodations, restaurants and other tour operators in the area. Through these partnerships we are able to spread more awareness and reach a wider audience. We are contributing to the local economy as we are prioritizing local and sustainable suppliers for all different aspects of our company. This includes buying goods like meals from the local restaurants, shops and food trucks as well as offering different services of other companies through our partner tours. Throughout these actions we are hoping to keep a sustainable supply chain up and thriving in more remote areas of Iceland like Öræfi.

We make sure to proactively support local businesses and initiatives by donating the activities we believe will help and empower the local community. Recent examples of these initiatives include funding a climbing wall in Öræfi and supporting educational institutions.

We are proudly working together with organizations, companies and individuals that not only support our effort to push for more sustainability in tourism but also strive towards our common goal. These collaborations go from choosing our guide’s clothing from 66°North which actively expands its use of recycled, upcycled, biodegradable, or organic natural fibers, ensuring that new materials prioritize function, necessity, and longevity. This approach complements our efforts to minimize environmental impact through sustainable practices. Moreover, 66°North emphasizes creating high-quality, multi-purpose garments that endure Iceland’s challenging conditions, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing environmental impact. By focusing on timeless aesthetics and functionality, 66°North encourages responsible consumption, aligning with Local Guide’s principles of environmental stewardship.

5. Continuous Improvement 

A company’s sustainability policy requires constant reviewing. To keep the standards that Local Guide wants to be representing up, we commit to investing our time and resources into research and development of the most sustainable practices and technologies. We will monitor and report on our progress and discuss the developments within the team. Our staff will not just be aware of our sustainability practices but work together with us on promoting responsible tourism in Iceland. Our employees’ well being is our utmost priority so we ensure fair wages, benefits, free housing and a safe working environment for all. Available staff housing in the area is contributing to shorter commute times and more value to the local economy. Local Guide has been purchasing land and buildings in the area, committing to further invest in a base close to the glacier, offering a life next to the glacier for anyone wanting to become a part of the Local Guide family. Purchasing the land in the area is meant to serve the local community in the future, by creating additional job opportunities and offering services which will contribute to promoting the local area. Last but not least, Local Guide continuously pays its tax locally, directly contributing to the area of Öræfi in southeast Iceland.

Local Guide complies with all relevant regulations, laws and national park policies. We provide the park with our monthly numbers of passengers and proudly have the most qualified guides within our team. To ensure safe experiences for our guests within the National Park our guides have successfully completed courses under the wing of the Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides. We are part of the Icelandic Tourist Board certification. Qualifications through programs like the Wilderness First Responder, allows our team to have adequate knowledge and medical training in isolated and extreme environments like the glacier. In difficult times like the Covid- 19 pandemic, Local Guide has proven to be able to adapt and implement new standards, values and further requirements to welcome clients in a safe and responsible way to keep Iceland a desirable and safe destination.

We have been receiving reviews from our clients throughout different platforms and are making sure to react to every review accordingly. We are sharing the positive feedback regularly with our team, proving the great work effort of the team. If there are points that need further action we are making sure of handling them. In the past years we have consequently been awarded with awards like the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. We have earned these through consistently great travelers reviews published on the world’s largest travel website.

6. Summary 

Local Guide proudly presents this comprehensive sustainability policy to the Vatnajökull National Park. It covers our key areas of environmental stewardship, responsible visitor conduct, cultural heritage preservation, and continuous improvement, among others. It demonstrates Local Guide’s dedication to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism practices within Vatnajökull National Park and Iceland. We might not have found the perfect solution for every aspect of our journey towards ecotourism but we will continue to actively commit to reducing the impact we have on the environment and therefore are happy to share our policies with you. While hoping to convince not only the tourism industry in Iceland but everywhere to make this a priority so everyone gets the chance to enjoy the incredible nature that we all love. Our team of passionate guides and a dedicated office are happy to answer all your questions and to spread awareness about a topic near and dear to our hearts. We are looking forward to taking you on this journey with us.