A new proposal could see ABTA members forced to contribute to a fund to promote green issues and responsible travel.
ABTA board member and Sunvil Travel managing director Noel Josephides will propose the new fund, which would see every member contribute £15 for every £1 million they generate in annual turnover, at an ABTA board meeting this Thursday.
This would raise more than £300,000 per year for the fund, which would be the first of its kind in the world.
The mandatory fund would then be used firstly to promote green best practice in members’ own businesses before being rolled out to help travel firms on a global scale.
Josephides said: “We’ve got the Travel Foundation, but these things need money. If we’re really serious about what we’re doing then we have to raise a lot more so we can educate our members.
“By doing it this year we would have the resources for companies no matter how big or small to raise awareness.”
However, he admitted the plan may prove controversial with the ABTA board while the big two, which both have representatives on the board, would be forced to provide the lion’s share of the money.
He said: “I don’t know if I will get this through the board, such things are difficult. I have supporters, but these things are very political.
“I believe TUI or Thomas Cook have a duty to the industry; it would be a way of demonstrating that these companies are contributing more than anyone to this.”
He also said the savings that could be made through implementing the green measures would ultimately outweigh the cost of the fund.