The Philosophy Behind STOMP
Why Transparency
Changes Everything
Transparency is not just a marketing word. It is a practical sustainability tool — one that builds trust, increases bookings, and keeps money inside local communities.
The Core Idea
Tourism has always told stories.
It should also show the truth.
Tourism is one of the world's largest industries. It moves trillions of dollars. It employs hundreds of millions of people. And yet, for most travellers, the economics of their journey remain completely invisible.
Who actually benefits from a trip? Where does the money go? How much does a journey really cost — and how much of it stays in the destination? These questions almost never get answered. STOMP changes that.
"Tourism runs on stories. It is time it also ran on truth."
Four Reasons Transparency Matters
Transparency is practical sustainability
Transparency as practical sustainability
Complex sustainability certifications are out of reach for most small tour operators. They are expensive, time-consuming, and designed for large organisations. Transparency achieves the same goal differently — by showing travellers exactly what happens with their money, making sustainability measurable and visible without bureaucratic overhead.
Why certifications are difficult for small operators
A small tour operator in Nepal or Kenya cannot afford the annual fees, consultants, and paperwork that sustainability certifications require. Yet these are often the most ethical operators in the world — locally owned, community-connected, genuinely impactful. STOMP gives them a way to demonstrate this without the cost barrier.
How transparency builds traveller trust
Travellers today are more informed and more sceptical than ever. Greenwashing is everywhere. Vague claims about sustainability are ignored. But a clear breakdown showing that 34% of trip cost goes to local guides, 19% to community lodges, and 4% to conservation permits — that is something travellers can see, understand, and trust.
Why transparency increases sales
The proof is in the numbers. STOMP operators achieve lead conversion rates of over 40% — compared to a 4.7% industry average. When travellers can see where their money goes, they stop hesitating. Transparency removes the uncertainty that causes people to delay or not book at all.
The STOMP Approach
Transparency built into the journey
Instead of adding another certification layer on top of tourism, STOMP puts transparency directly inside the traveller experience — through clear itineraries, verified impact summaries, and transparent pricing.
The Sustainability Receipt
Every STOMP itinerary automatically generates a Sustainability Receipt — a clear, visual breakdown showing exactly how the traveller's money was distributed across the value chain. Local guides, community lodges, conservation permits, transport providers, and operator fees are all shown transparently.
Scientific Pricing
Rather than pricing by gut feeling or competitor matching, STOMP uses a transparent cost-plus methodology. Every line item is accounted for. Travellers can see exactly how a price was built — which eliminates price objections and builds confidence.
Real Impact Measurement
STOMP calculates the environmental and social impact of every individual itinerary — not just the company as a whole. Carbon footprint, local employment, community spend, and conservation contribution are measured at trip level. Probably the only software in the world that does this.
Human Stories Behind the Data
Numbers matter. But so do names. STOMP connects impact data to real people — the local guide, the teahouse owner, the porter, the community fund. Travellers do not just see percentages — they see who benefits from their journey.
Our Commitments
Signed, measured, accountable
Glasgow Declaration
Ethical Travel Portal is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism — committing to halving emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.
Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency
We are a signatory to Tourism Declares. STOMP is our concrete contribution to these commitments — making environmental impact measurable at trip level.
Continually Improving
STOMP is an evolving platform. Impact measurement methodology is regularly reviewed and updated. Every new feature is evaluated against our transparency and sustainability commitments.