Global sustainability certification has been awarded to a major international tour operator for the full range of its activities for the first time.
The Travelife award to operator Canadian Affair and its parent company Transat underscores longstanding efforts and leadership in sustainable development.
Operators must comply with more than 200 criteria covering workplace practices, product range, business partners and customers to hold and maintain Travelife certified status.
Travelife certification is accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and complies with the ISO 26000 Corporate Social responsibility Stnadard, which puts forward guidelines on environment, human rights and labour relations.
In conjunction with the certification award, Transat is now following a new action plan until 2020 aimed at influencing tourism providers as well as raising awareness among employees and customers of sustainable development and responsible tourism practices.
Canadian Affair managing director Chris Hedley said: “As a leader in providing holiday experiences for UK travellers, it’s vital that we act in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Canadian Affair is honoured to receive this certification.”
Transat Human resources and public affairs vice president Christophe Hennebelle added: “Twelve years ago, we began a structured approach aimed at becoming a model of sustainable tourism.
“In the process, we strengthened our environmental management and our social engagement, trained our teams on the importance of sustainable development, re-tooled our operations to better address customers’ concerns, and urged our partners to implement sustainability practices.”
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