A team of TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors have immersed themselves in responsible travel throughout 2023, and here they share how their training has boosted their confidence and developed their businesses.
In early 2023 a group of passionate agents joined the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes training programme with one clear goal – to boost their knowledge of sustainable and responsible travel.
The TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors in training have since joined workshops with leading experts, gained access to useful resources and completed practical work-based projects to put everything they’ve learnt into practice. Throughout the scheme they were supported by six TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes partners, who led fun-filled and information-packed fam trips to Crete, Majorca and Sri Lanka.
APPLY TO BECOME A 2024 TTG SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AMBASSADOR
There are now 19 agents who have been crowned as official TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors, and here they explain the impact the scheme has had on their personal and professional lives.
When I applied to the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme I thought I was ahead of the curve when it came to sustainability. It showed me I was doing the right things, but there’s so much more we can do. In-depth knowledge and training with experts inspired me to take the agency one step further. It’s enabled me to create policies, train and advise my team and even have the confidence to go out into the community. As an agency finding their way when it comes to sustainability, the contacts, training and insight have been truly inspiring and invaluable.
I applied to become an Ambassador because I wanted to meet like-minded travel agency owners and ensure I’m “walking the walk” when it comes to my business. I had no idea how much fun it would be and how many new friends I’d make. I’ve gained a keen eye for choosing genuinely sustainable suppliers, which has become invaluable. The world of travel is changing for the better, and I’m so excited to be along for the ride!
The programme has been wonderful at breaking down topics into manageable chunks, and the themed homework has been thought-inspiring. I’ve gained new ideas for leading a greener life myself, and acquired alternative techniques for promoting sustainable travel to my clients. I now find clients more receptive to my responsible travel suggestions, from making minor adjustments to the way they travel to better supporting local communities while away.
The programme has opened my eyes to the many ways holidaymakers can be encouraged to make responsible travel choices, as well as how agents can help influence the wider industry to make changes that will have a positive impact on the planet. It’s given me a huge amount of confidence through increased knowledge, and a real sense of purpose. I’m proud to be part of a small community of like-minded travel agents who are passionate about advocating sustainability, and the opportunities we’ve had to experience our change-making supplier partners in action have been incredible.
I wanted to learn how to educate and influence my customers to make more sustainable options when selecting their next trip. The programme has enabled me to do exactly that. I’m also using my newly acquired expertise in the classroom teaching A level Travel and Tourism, educating the travel leaders of the future about sustainable tourism practices.
The programme has given me a better understanding of how the tourism industry is impacting the planet. Learning different ways suppliers are changing their businesses to support sustainability efforts and champion environmental initiatives has been beneficial when creating a customer’s dream holiday, as it’s given me a foundation of knowledge that lets me share valuable insights and advice.
I applied to the programme to learn how to promote greener choices to my clients, but I’ve gained so much more. Not only are my team and I more confident in encouraging sustainable travel, but we’re working towards achieving net zero and I’ve made some lifelong friends along the way! It’s an incredible programme, which I’m honoured to be part of.
As a relatively new Travel Counsellor I’m still shaping my business and building my client base to attract customers who want to book holidays that are beneficial to the destinations and communities they visit, and have the least impact on our environment. I now focus my advertising on sustainable holidays with suppliers championing sustainability, and I hope to increase sales in the future.
Charitable Travel is on an epic journey of continual learning and action in terms of understanding, learning, sharing and promoting sustainable travel with our customers. Being part of the programme offered deep insights into putting sustainability into practice, further bolstering our extensive efforts in this vital area of tourism.
Ever since starting my business I’ve always wanted to build a sustainable travel brand, focusing on responsible choices and impactful contributions. I spend any free time expanding my knowledge around the subject of responsible travel, so I jumped at the chance not only to learn more for my own development, but to be an official ambassador for sustainable travel. It’s something I do with great responsibility and pride. I’ve gained so much knowledge and drive through this programme, helping me push my business in the direction I’ve always wanted.
I was already quite sustainability-minded at home, but wanted to learn about being more sustainable with travel. The programme has been insightful into different aspects of the travel and tourism industry, showing me how there are many changes behind the scenes that are making a difference, as well as the smaller changes we can make ourselves as individuals. I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve discovered and making sustainability less scary for others.
I love sharing ideas for sustainable travel with clients. I’m really passionate about overland adventures and supporting local communities so they benefit from tourism. I joined the programme because I wanted the chance to learn more about current trends in the industry and how to promote different travel options effectively.
I made the decision to focus on sustainability within my business, and that same day my copy of TTG arrived and I opened it on a page about the programme. It felt like it was meant to be! Things have gone from strength to strength, and I am continuing my journey towards making my business fully sustainable in every possible aspect.
We only have one planet, so we need to do all we can to protect it. That, combined with my love of travel, meant the programme seemed like the perfect thing to apply for. I’ve learned so much about sustainable travel and how we can all do things – from the big to the little – to help change how we travel. I’ve met some amazing people, who I can reach out to for advice or to share experiences with.
I’m an environmental conservationist by training and have always loved to travel responsibly. The programme addressed issues surrounding animal welfare and carbon offsetting, which I previously had doubts about. I’m now able to discuss and influence my customers and potential customers to think sustainably before deciding on destinations to visit, and the activities they choose to engage in.
Although we’d done quite a bit of work on sustainability without realising it at Traveltime World, the programme was a really good way of focusing on specific topics and making actionable changes within our business. For example, having an animal welfare policy, and having more confidence in selling the partners of the scheme.
I was already the sustainability ambassador for the Travel Village Group, so this seemed like the perfect fit. I’ve learned so much, from setting up animal welfare guidelines to understanding how different travel types impact carbon offsets. I’m thrilled about putting all this newfound knowledge to good use, sharing it within our head office and hosting fun webinars for our awesome staff. I can’t wait to keep the sustainability ball rolling within our organisation!
For more tips on selling sustainable travel, and information on the Ambassador programme, visit ttgmedia.com/sustainabletravelheroes