Triton Conference preview
The Triton Travel Group super-consortium of agents is to develop an environmental policy setting out its position on green issues.
Although each of the three consortia in the group is encouraging members to implement green measures, such as Worldchoice’s Green Team, the group believes adopting the same stance would make a bigger impact.
At the second Triton Conference in Portugal next month, shadow secretary of state for the environment Peter Ainsworth, a seasoned environmental campaigner, will set out Conservative party policy.
Advantage managing director and Triton director John McEwan said: “We are looking to develop an environmental policy.
“In business travel you cannot get on corporations’ retainer lists unless you have a carbon offsetting programme.”
Worldchoice chairman and Triton director Colin Heal said: “There has to be a balance. We would not want to stop people from going on holiday, not just because that’s the business we are in, but because holidays are about lifestyle.
Delegates attending the conference will pay a carbon levy and Aisnworth’s session on the first day of the conference is entitled Rising to the Challenge – Can We Save the Planet?.
McEwan said: “We subscribe to the view that people should travel for business and leisure.
“Hotels, ground handlers and airlines will become progressively more environmentally friendly.
“But at the same time we have got to ensure there is a balance, that the consumer understands the impact of carbon emissions from travel relative to other industries.”