Industry charity The Travel Foundation wants agents to help raise consumer awareness of sustainable travel by taking part in a Make Holidays Greener week in July.
The charity has the backing of major retailers and operators for a week of activities on July 2-9. Thomas Cook resort staff are planning a range of activities including children’s competitions and recycling challenges for adults.
Branch managers at The Co-operative Travel plan to visit up to 120 schools to talk about sustainable travel following a similar initiative last July and have produced an education programme for teachers.
Group commercial manager Jane Witherington said: “Education is vital as we look to protect destinations so our children and their children can enjoy them.”
Thomson, First Choice, Teletext Holidays, Holiday Extras and Virgin Holidays also backed last year’s campaign, and The Sun newspaper will again turn its travel section green – all with the aim of encouraging tourists to do three things on holiday to benefit a destination.
These can be as simple as using fewer plastic bottles, switching off lights and air conditioning, taking shorter showers, re-using towels, buying local souvenirs and booking excursions with local suppliers.
Travel Foundation chief executive Sue Hurdle said: “We want the campaign to show we can help protect destinations for future generations and make ‘green’ fun.”
Nikki White, head of destinations and sustainability at Abta, said: “We’re delighted to support the campaign.”