p9 news Dec4 2/12/09 21:12 Page 9
ttglive.com
green tourism news
Responsibletravel
adds eco web tool
Chris Gray.
search engine in its website.
Don’t fight to win
RESPONSIBLETRAVEL.COM has The move follows its decision in
become the first agency to offer October to remove carbon off-
customers a flight search that setting from its site because it
the ‘green’ crown
compares carbon emissions as was a distraction from the real
well as prices. goal of lowering emissions.
The online agent claims the Managing director Justin
ABTA IS calling on travel industry bodies not Carbon Friendly Flight Finder will Francis said: “By offering a
to compete for the crown of being the most take consumers to the “next comparative lower carbon flight
“responsible”. stage” in holiday selection by search, based on the carbon
Nikki White, the association’s new head of enabling them to include ethical factors, and in efficiency of different airlines, we can offer a
destination strategy and services, is drawing up so doing reward airlines that operate fleets with practical guide to relative carbon travel.
a framework for how Abta members can help lower emissions. “If consumer demand starts to reward
achieve the aims of the 2023 coalition, which seeks TTG first revealed how the Flight Finder had efficient airlines, more airlines will disclose exact
to create a more sustainable travel industry. been developed by metasearch company Global fuel consumption and work much harder towards
She was speaking after delegates at the Aito Travel Market and the Carbon Consultancy in July being less polluting.”
conference criticised the organisation for losing (TTG July 17). The search engine works by taking into
ground on ethical tourism to Abta, and TTA The developers said trials revealed customers account the type of aircraft operated by an
Worldchoice set out its aim of becoming the would pay more for a less-environmentally airline, and distance of journey as well as price.
“greenest” consortium (TTG November 27). damaging flight because 57% of customers Responsibletravel.com is donating 50% of
One of the first moves in developing the 2023 picked a lower emission flight even if it was not income from the flight search to TravelPledge,
goals is a research project to find out what pro- the cheapest. which supports projects in countries affected by
portion of Abta members – particularly agents Responsibletravel has now embedded the global warming.
and smaller operators – are aware of ideas about
sustainability and responsible tourism.
Once that is done, White plans to work with the
Travel Foundation to advise agents about small
Travel Matters
steps to becoming more sustainable.
Abta has also made a health and safety
joins TravelPledge
training DVD that features broadcaster Konnie
Huq (pictured) for members. INDEPENDENT agency Travel
Matters has joined sustainable
travel charity TravelPledge
Hyde-Barker puts
after its owner returned home
from a visit to India.
focus on rail trips
The London agency will now
support two projects through the
charity: a UK scheme to give disadvan-
AN AGENT at family-run tailor-made specialist taged families a holiday together and a commu-
Hyde-Barker Travel has joined a European nity bicycle repair programme in South Africa.
rail journey to highlight more environmentally TravelPledge was launched in January this
friendly travel options. year to provide a way for travellers to support
Jayne Simpson’s four-day trip with Great Rail projects in destinations they visit and ensure
Journeys included travel on Eurostar to Cologne money goes directly to the projects.
and visiting Christmas markets in Germany. SIMPLY THE VEST: Adam O’Dell (left), Travel Matters owner Karen Simmonds said:
Managing director Robert Turner added: “Rail manager of Ilkeston Co-op Travel in “Since returning from India last year, I have tried
journeys are an energy-efficient mode of travel Newark, and travel consultant Emma to build an awareness campaign to encourage
as rail contributes less per passenger mile to Burkitt donated 30 high-visibility vests to people to think about their travel choices, and
global warming than either cars or planes.” Barnby Road Primary School headteacher have worked with local schools to teach children
Kevin Eveleigh, for children to wear on how behaviour overseas can make an impact on
■ Air tax must fund eco research: Letters, p28 school trips during dark winter afternoons. the local community, economically and socially.”
04.12.2009 09
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