Iberostar took travel agents to its resort in the Dominican Republic this month (June), while Intrepid will take a group to South Africa in September and Greece will welcome agents later this year.
A group of TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors in Training have returned from the Dominican Republic after exploring Iberostar’s resort near Punta Cana as part of the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes programme.
The group stayed at Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites where they met the group’s sustainability team based in the Dominican Republic and visited the on-site Coral Lab, apiary, bird observatory and mangrove restoration project, which are all attractions linked by the Walk of Change trail within the five-hotel Iberostar resort.
“This fam trip has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase our various sustainability action lines in the place where lots of them began,” said Iberostar’s business development director for the UK and Ireland Aishling McLoughlin.
“The coral reef restoration work in the Coral Lab is really impressive; the agents loved seeing it in action and having the opportunity to speak to some of the scientists working there, and a bonus is that all clients staying at the resort can visit it too whenever they like.”
Agents were also taken behind the scenes to see the resort’s waste management site and learn about Iberostar’s commitment to sending 0% of waste to landfill by 2025.
“The visit to the waste area was surprisingly popular considering it was to see lots of bins!” said McLoughlin, who said speaking to the manager of Iberostar’s 3Rs team (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) was also a hit. “It’s great to hear we’re on target [to meet our zero waste goal],” she added.
The group was also able to sample the guest facilities, services and gastronomy during their stay so they can effectively sell the experience back to their customers.
“It was a lovely way for the agents to enjoy their free time and experience how a client can enjoy a sustainable holiday with Iberostar,” said McLoughlin.
This TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes fam trip was one of three taking place in 2024. In September Intrepid will take a group of TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors in Training to South Africa to visit the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit, the Black Mambas.
In the same month, Greece plans to take a group of TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors in Training to experience some of the most sustainable experiences on its islands.
To find out more about the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes programme, visit ttgmedia.com/sustainabletravelheroes.
Be inspired to take the next steps in your sustainability journey
Join us for a full day packed with practical advice and honest case studies, designed to help you make a real difference to your business’s sustainability strategy and create a fairer industry for customers, staff and the destinations you operate in.
Find contacts for 260+ travel suppliers. Type name, company or destination.