The industry will be asked to join the fight to stop the burning of the world’s rainforests at the opening of World Travel Market (WTM) World Responsible Tourism Day.
Dr Andrew Mitchell, senior adviser to The Prince’s Rainforest Project, and director of the Global Canopy Programme, will open the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day on Wednesday, November 11. The aim of the day is to signal to consumers that the industry is listening to demands for a more caring and sensitive approach, as well as to educate and inspire the international industry to work together.
Mitchell said: “Tourism can be a great force for goodor bad. The industry recognises this, and is doing a better job than it has in the past. Burning rainforests cause about 20% of global warming. That’s more emissions than the transport sector put together – cars, trains, airlines and ships.
“But this doesn’t mean the travel industry is off the hook. We are likely to travel even more and not worry about it. We can tackle deforestation now.”
WTM chairwoman Fiona Jeffery said the rainforest focus has significance this year because of the United Nations’ climate change conference in Copenhagen in December.
“If we are to make an impact on climate change, the travel industry must play its part in helping to save rainforests,” she said.
Incoming secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai and Fiona Jeffery will also speak at the event. At midday, TUI Travel chief executive Peter Long will be interviewed about the operator’s commitment to responsible tourism.
In the afternoon there are two major panel debates on climate change. The day concludes with the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day Networking event.