QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
The company TURMARES (Turismo Marítimo del Estrecho/Maritime Tourism in the Strait) TARIFA, S.L. (henceforth TURMARES), was created towards the end of 1999. Its main activity is maritime tourism, in particular the sighting of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Currently, these tasks are complemented by the participation in scientific research projects related to the conservation of the marine environment. These are developed jointly with official bodies (Ministries for Environment and Tourism, Commerce and Sport for the Junta de Andalucía, Provincial Council for Cádiz, etc.), as well as in collaboration with companies that are internationally renowned for their work in protection and conservation of cetaceans (National Geographic, BBC, Sociedad Española de Cetáceos/Spanish Cetacean Society, etc.). These companies lend their support and participate in numerous courses, conferences and international meetings related to this subject.
At present, TURMARES aims to become a leader in the tourism sector on both a national and international level, trying to reach as good a level as possible in terms of market performance, as well as in terms of environmental responsibility, especially taking into account that their activity depends on a living resource within the natural environment, scarce, fragile and which must be safeguarded.
Therefore, the TURMARES organization has developed a policy which can be applied to all its services and products, in which all the working principles are gathered, in order to guide all the work which the former carries out, affecting not only Management but also all the employees which make up the company.
Consequently, the Management of TURMARES commits itself to: - Meet and respect both legislation (general, navigating and maritime and environmental safety) which applies to its activities, as well as the other non-regulatory requirements which are adopted voluntarily (recommendations from the sector, official bodies, etc.)
- Periodically set down objectives and aims with respect to quality and the environment, in accordance with this policy, measurable and which can be met according to the circumstances and technical/economic capabilities of the company, with the end-aim of continually improving the company?s quality of service and environmental standards.
- Adopting whatever measures are necessary to prevent and minimize contamination and adverse environmental effects caused as a result of activities carried out, supporting the correct management of waste, the rational consumption of natural resources and other sources of energy and avoiding damage to marine fauna and flora.
- Giving every employee training in ?Quality and Environmental Management?, identifying the needs in terms of training and competence and developing personalized training plans to guarantee and progressively improve their professional competences, with respect to their functions carried out within the organization.
- Reduce, wherever possible, quality costs, by way of an optimal planning of the services and processes carried out.
- Promote and improve relations with clients and providers, analyzing the satisfaction of the former and improving communication with the latter to reach mutual benefit.
- Make the current policy available to employees, providers and the general public, with the aim of setting responsibilities with regard to the protection of the environment.
- Implement and maintain in a sustained manner an Integrated Quality Control System, based on the requirements established in the guidelines: UNE-EN ISO 9001:2000 and UNE-EN ISO 14001:2004
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
This activity not only protects the environment but by bringing people closer to nature it helps them understand the importance of
conserving the ecosystem and developing the tools with which to do so.
The objective is to encourage regional development by way of sustainable tourism.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Companies dedicated to the observation of cetaceans are obliged to involve themselves in cooperative scientific projects by making their vessels available for such observation.
As a result of this cooperation a significant amount of data is gathered for the monitoring of the cetacean population.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
The observation of cetaceans in their habitat is not only a tourist attraction,
it is also aimed at raising public awareness of the environment, especially in the minds of children.
Turmares 
