NEWS


You may have read Lucy Huxley’s account in Travel Weekly about the battles and triumphs of


travel industry leaders who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on a trip led by G Adventures. I was one of them and Lucy shared our collective


struggles, physically and mentally, as well as the highs and the lows of the gruelling climb. We’re now eight weeks on and, while I have


Jacqueline Dobson PRESIDENT, BARRHEAD TRAVEL


Giving back is the right thing to do – and can benefit your business too


recovered from our climb, I’ve also had time for reflection. Some thoughts I pondered on during the journey have stayed with me.


Responsible travel The experience reinforced my belief that we, as an industry, can do better at promoting sustainable tourism by educating our colleagues and employees about the importance of travelling responsibly. The appetite for supporting this cause is very


apparent, although I do think we could do more together to champion this cause and work smarter to preserve the planet’s future and tourism industries. The Kilimanjaro trek was the latest of the


personal challenges I set myself each year and which are my way of giving back through charitable causes. Giving back is something I value and it’s a privilege to be in a position to do so. This year, I will continue to support and


champion sustainable and responsible travel abroad, but I would also like to dedicate the year to sustainable and responsible business at home. The hotel we stayed in before our trek


reminded me of the importance of giving back to the community you serve. Their business was one of the income generators for a local school. The quality of the education of their young people was


reliant on profits from the hotel. What struck me was this was not specifically about charity, in the monetary sense; it wasn’t a corporate social responsibility strategy; nor was it about raising the profile of their business. It was about supporting local people with the knowledge that shaping the future of the next generation will allow their community to prosper.


Giving back Barrhead’s expansion in towns and cities in England is in full swing. As we open new stores, I’ve noticed how important community is to the success of local people and economies. It’s been the small businesses and people within communities who have rallied round to show us support. It’s been humbling and insightful to see how much people care about local businesses working together to generate success on their high street. Sustainability starts at home. It’s about embracing


and supporting the people and businesses in your area, giving people opportunities and demonstrating your values by getting involved with the community and local charities. At two of our new branches, in Liverpool and Widnes, agents are volunteering and raising money for local hospices and others are meeting charities they plan to support. As a business that strives to sit at the heart of


the communities, we have a duty to give back. And having strong foundations in the community with ethical business practices can pave the way for organic and authentic growth with businesses and people who share and appreciate your values.


Read more columns by Jacqueline Dobson: go.travelweekly.co.uk/comment


14


30 JANUARY 2020


travelweekly.co.uk


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