Volunteers from Travel Village Group and Royal Caribbean International have cleared about 50kg of litter from Blackpool seafront in the first of four beach cleans planned for 2023.
The agency and cruise line partnered with Blackpool Council and a marine recycling initiative called Tangle to pick up rubbish from the resort’s beach and promenade.
Almost 30 people volunteered for the mission, including the agency’s group chief executive Phil Nuttall; John Warr group managing director, senior leadership team and members of its sales and care teams.
Volunteers from Royal Caribbean included Stuart Byron, Ben Bouldin, Nicki Quintana, Dave Hearn, Paris Stanley, Ruth Gardner and Kelly Ashby.
The Tangle team comprised co-founders Xavier Warburton and Sam Cartwright, with Lori Delaney.
Together they filled 12 large bags with litter and rescued an old shopping trolley that had been stranded on the beach for weeks.
Jenny Higgins, TVG marketing executive and group sustainability ambassador, said: “Seeing the whole team come together to save our waves, and help our community, was absolutely incredible.”
Jess Clayton, the agency’s group content manager, added: “The beach clean is such an important event for us. As a Fylde Coast business, spanning eight decades, we have deep roots in the community,
“As travel agency that specialises in cruise, we also have a commitment to the future of our oceans.”
Lilli Medlicott, TVG marketing executive, added: “We received several compliments from tourists and local Blackpool residents saying things like ‘amazing work you are doing here’ or ‘well done keep going’.”
Phil Nuttall, group chief executive, said: “It’s important for us all to be looking at what we can do to help our planet. We’ve all got to start thinking more responsibly about sustainability, regardless of whether we think we’re having a small or huge impact.
“The important thing is to do your bit, hether that’s cycling to work instead of driving, helping local projects like beach cleans, supporting businesses that re-purpose marine waste, or investing in new technologies that reduce pollution and energy consumption.”