An annual Abta-backed clean up campaign led to an estimated 49 tonnes of plastic waste being avoided or removed from the environment this year.
The annual Make Holidays Greener effort ran from June to September under the theme of ‘Say no to plastic.’
Make Holidays Greener is led by the travel association in partnership with Travelife for Accommodation.
Travel businesses shared the steps they have taken to reduce the amount of plastic they use, amounting to 43 tonnes. Another six tonnes of plastic was removed through clean-up operations giving a total equivalent to the weight of around 30 cars.
More than 70 Abta members and travel firms, from tour operators to hotels, participated in the tidying efforts.
Companies highlighted existing initiatives to cut down on plastics including reducing the use of plastic straws or offering filtered water as an alternative to bottled water – which contributed to the total figures – while others made commitments to future activities, such as eliminating all avoidable single-use plastics in the next five years.
Clean-up operations also organised with staff and customers helping to keep local beaches, parks or neighbourhoods clean.
Almost 2,300 people participated in 95 clean-up operations worldwide this year.
In addition, more than 1,200 sustainable holiday pledges were made by holidaymakers, of which a third were to ‘Say no to plastic’.
Abta destinations and sustainability director Nikki White said: “We are delighted with the commitment that the travel industry and holidaymakers have made to reduce their use of plastic.
“There have been some fantastic initiatives and it’s been a great opportunity for travel companies to share best practice of what has worked, try out new approaches and get customers involved.
“Make Holidays Greener is one part of a broader, long term, approach to sustainability that Abta members and destinations have been working on for some time. On plastic, our work includes promoting recycling in destination and supporting tour operators on developing a strategic approach to reducing plastic.
“I would like to thank everyone who has taken part this year and remind Abta members that more support is available if they would like to further develop their sustainability approach beyond the summer.”