Make your voice heard
ALTHOUGH we all work in the same industry rarely can we all come together and speak with one voice.
But you don’t get anywhere if you don’t try. And that is where we have been this week with the Green Debate.
There is a major misconception among politicians, the media and the public at large about how much this industry is doing to tackle the environmental impact of travel.
The anti-travel bandwagon is verging on being out of control.
Within the travel sector a vast array of interested parties and lobby groups have been working for years to make travel as responsible and as green as it can be.
This week, Travel Weekly joined forces with ABTA to host the first industry-wide debate on what the travel sector needs to do to ensure all the positive action being taken over responsible tourism is understood and publicised to the powers that be.
It’s a big call, and this week was the first step in trying to bring some unity to all the work that has been going on.
Travel Weekly and ABTA are not trying to hijack this issue, but use our collective media and lobbying skills to bring a more objective view and better understanding to this vital issue.
The debate was wide ranging and looked specifically at the work being done by airlines, tour operators, hoteliers, retailers and the sustainable tourism groups.
Together we have moved the Green Debate on a step. We need to keep that dialogue going to ensure we keep the momentum up.
The ABTA Convention will do just that, with a special session devoted to widening this issue.
Travel Weekly remains committed to playing its part. We are not going to change political or public perceptions overnight, but we won’t get anywhere unless we try.
Have your say on the Green Debate forum