Meet the Heroes who’ll help you sell more responsible holidays

INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS

There’s a large number of reasons why the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes supplier partners have been brought onboard for the initiative. Collectively, their efforts to champion sustainable travel are making waves in the industry, with carbon-neutral operations, the launch of not-for-profit organisations, valuable contributions to scientific research, properties free of single-use plastics, fuel-efficient policies and environmentally-friendly office buildings putting them at the forefront of the responsible movement.

“As the travel industry, we have a front seat to the impact of climate change around the world, and it’s clear 2022 is the time for fewer words and more action on sustainability,” says Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA at Intrepid Travel.

“By supporting TTG’s initiative, we hope to share our experience and empower others in the travel industry to move towards a more sustainable future.”

All TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes partners share the same aim, with Anthony Daniels, general manager UK at Hurtigruten, thinking of an even bigger picture: “We want to inspire everyone to do their bit and encourage people to be more aware from a wider perspective, such as at home or the workplace, as well as when they’re travelling.”

“We hope to encourage all our partners to focus on sustainable operations, because protecting and adding long-term value to the waters we sail in will inspire an eco-conscious generation of travellers to explore the natural beauty of this planet,” he adds.

Avis Budget Group has environmental protection at its heart too, with this forming a core pillar of the business. “Renting a car in itself is a sustainable form of travelling,” explains Sophie Nelson, travel and partnerships manager at the provider.

“Customers are able to travel off the beaten track and visit destinations that are less concentrated with tourism, and in doing so, they can support local communities and economies.”

AGENT FOCUS

With suppliers getting to grips with the definition and execution of truly sustainable travel, it’s time to pass that knowledge and expertise onto their agent partners – and to emphasise the benefits of these responsible operations, to both travel businesses and our planet.

“Our industry partners are integral to communicating with the general public, so we want to equip them with all the information and experience they need as now, more than ever, we need responsible tourism that cares for people and the environment,” says Nick Balzan, commercial director at Iberostar Hotels & Resorts.

Alastair Campbell, managing director at G Touring, adds that the pandemic has challenged suppliers to find new ways to work and communicate with agent partners when it comes to sustainability, and that TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes is a way to do just that. He explains: “If we work together, we can achieve so much more. We’re on a journey that’s going to be exciting, informative, and collaborative.”

Check out the March edition of TTG for TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes updates. We’ll be publishing the initiative’s news in every issue of 2022. Visit ttgmedia.com/sustainabletravelheroes for more information.