First Choice is to introduce a programme for schools to help children learn about eco-tourism.
Primary school children aged seven to eleven will learn about protecting the natural environment and culture in the UK and popular holiday destinations.
First Choice will provide eight activity sheets on destinations such as Kenya to encourage children to think about eco-systems and the dangers of climate change.
The scheme has been developed in collaboration with the National Schools Partnership, an organisation which works to bring teachers and businesses together, and the Travel Foundation.
Children will have the chance to visit their local First Choice travel agency, where staff will help them complete a world activity sheet. Once their sheet is completed, the children will be awarded with an Eco-Traveller certificate, and parents will be given a £50 holiday voucher containing tips on how they can make a difference on holiday.
The scheme is set to be trialled with 15 schools and eight First Choice shops from November 3 until January 31 2009. If the trial is successful, the Eco-Traveller programme is expected to be rolled out nationwide in 2009.
First Choice marketing manager for customer experience Doug Glenwright said: “This is a great opportunity for First Choice to be part of the local community and work in partnership with schools to provide our children with excellent learning resources, which are both educational and fun. It’s also an opportunity for staff in First Choice shops to learn more about the environment, and the ways our customers can reduce their environmental footprint.”