NEWS — SPECIAL REPORT
Inset: Abi Pugh was a
Project Discovery volunteer at the First Choice Holiday Village in Sarigerme, Turkey (main picture)
OPERATOR AWARDS ONE-MILLIONTH ECO-TRAVELLER CERTIFICATE
Thomson and First Choice hit one target this summer when the one-millionth schoolchild was awarded an Eco-traveller certificate. The Eco-traveller
programme promotes sustainable tourism in more than 1,000 schools across the UK. It is undertaken with the National Schools Partnership and offers activity sheets, presentations, games, stickers and other materials for seven to 11-year-olds on issues such as waste, carbon emissions and buying souvenirs – with the chance to win a holiday for the class. The programme passed one million in July. A film on the Thomson website shows children, parents and
It will look at the whole impact to understand and, as far as possible, put a value on this. It will look beyond arrival numbers to the total benefit of tourism to understand what we could change. “It is about understanding
from the destination perspective, but the project will look just at Tui mainstream customers.” The project should be completed
by the end of the year and the results shared with the industry.
Staff volunteer time Tui staff have a chance to help too, through volunteer programme Project Discovery.
Ashton said: “We’ve had
volunteering in the UK for a couple of years now. About 1,000 people have been involved and almost 100 have gone overseas.” Most get involved in local initiatives, but volunteers who are selected to go abroad join Travel Foundation projects in destinations. About 100 go overseas each year, usually in pairs for one to two weeks. The selection process is rigorous. Ashton said: “Typically there are 10 times more applicants than places. People have to demonstrate a genuine interest and the right skills.”
Distribution training manager
Abi Pugh went to Turkey as a Project Discovery volunteer two years ago, joining a Travel Foundation programme at the First Choice Holiday Village in Sarigerme, near Dalaman. Pugh said: “I was a rep there in the 1990s. It was great to go back. The project gathered evidence on the impact of all- inclusives. We spoke to customers and to local business owners to find out where people spent their money – in the hotel or outside.” She was there two weeks with a Thomson Airways colleague. Pugh said: “We went out and got
TUI VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME: PROJECT DISCOVERY
“I learnt a huge amount about all sorts, from illegal boreholing and energy management systems to how rubbish is shipped to India for recycling. Now I understand the challenges Cyprus faces a bit more. I see how we can help as a company and as an individual. I’m now a bit of an advocate here.” Tracey Steele, area manager, Cyprus Project Discovery
“I’d thoroughly recommend people apply for a Project Discovery placement. To use your day-to-day skills to help communities in the countries we send customers to is personally rewarding and hugely beneficial. Since my placement I’ve found it easier to relate to the often intangible side of sustainability. I’ve seen first-hand the big differences that seemingly
small changes can make.” Jenni Moss, cruise product development manager, Mexico Project Discovery
“I’d do it all over again if could. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of something truly special.” Shane Parker, call centre manager, Project Discovery Majorca
teachers taking part. One teacher said : “We looked at eco-friendly hotels in Spain and they went on to design their own hotel.” One parent said: “It’s normally a struggle to get my daughter to do her homework, but she loved doing this.”
the data, put together a report and made recommendations. We interviewed customers before they flew home about their spending. It was obvious they do spend outside – they try different restaurants. A majority spent outside the resort. “We recommended changes to
reps’ welcome meetings, to add personal recommendations and insider tips.” When Pugh returned from the
project, she says: “I made office presentations in lunch breaks. We had taken videos and photos and gave a taster of the project and what the Travel Foundation does. “I was extremely proud to be chosen. It really opened my eyes, developed me and brought me new skills.” She added: “I’m proud to work for a company that encourages you to take part in a project like that.” Now Pugh is based at Tui’s head office. She said: “I’m responsible for all training in retail shops and contact centres. There is a real focus on sustainability. Staff need to be aware of sustainability in the environment they work in and also aware of initiatives in resorts, so they can talk confidently about these with customers.” ❯ Readers’ Lives, page 32
14 August 2014 —
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