NEWS place at the home of Chelsea FC in London this week. Katie McGonagle and Natalie Marsh report
More than 120 members sign Sustainability Charter
S
A Lata member signs up to the Sustainability Charter
ustainability is core to growing tourism across Latin America, according to the region’s tourism association, as it reported a third of its supplier members had signed up to
implement a set of sustainability goals. Te Sustainability Charter was launched at last year’s
ELA conference, and includes guiding principles such as reducing waste, engaging with the local community and distributing the economic benefits of tourism across the supply chain. It has now atracted signatures from more than 120 Lata members. Trudi Pearce, founder of Responsible Tourism
Consulting, said: “We have had a third of the membership sign up, which just shows the commitment from members to use that direction in their businesses. “Ultimately, what we really want to do is come up with
a simplified mechanism [for measuring sustainability]. “We will launch a self-certification questionnaire
which will tell members where they are on their journey to sustainability. Sustainability should be part of business as usual because it provides richer, deeper experiences for clients and showcases the best of Latin America.” Lata has been working with the University of Brighton
to create a simplified guide to sustainability certification, held workshops on sustainability and reducing plastic use in association with the Galápagos Conservation Trust, and conducted research with Latin American suppliers to identify examples of best practice. Lata chairman Colin Stewart said: “We are all in a job
to promote and sell Latin America, but as an association, we want to make you aware of how to do that responsibly. “A lot of governments are recognising tourism is a huge
part of their policy but that maintaining and safeguarding those iconic sites is really important. It’s not just about short-term return, it’s about long-term sustainability.” Te number of travellers from the UK to Latin America
fell by 2.2% between January and April 2019, according to data from ForwardKeys, which measures bookings via GDS. Te downturn compares with a 3.7% overall drop in departures to other international destinations.
A lot of governments recognise that maintaining and safeguarding their iconic sites is really important
chievement Awards winners
PromPeru for destination of the year and Golden Galápagos Cruises for cruise operator of the year. Martin Johnson, co-founder of Latin
Routes, winner of the operator of the year award, said: “To be recognised for the second year running is an honour. It’s recognition of the hard work, not just of me and Jess [Dennison, co-founder] but also of the whole team. It recognises our expansion over the past 12 to 18 months.” Judges highlighted Latin Routes’ focus on
innovation and growth, as well as its initiative in bringing UK travel agents to Rio de Janeiro for a training academy late last year. Te full list of Lata Achievement Awards winners can be found at
travelweekly.co.uk.
travelweekly.co.uk
Peru sees rise in bookings for accessible travel
An Intrepid Group-owned company has reported growing interest in bookings for accessible travel to Peru following a documentary showing two wheelchair users traversing part of the Inca Trail. Peak Destination Management Company has had 10
bookings for wheelchair-friendly travel in Peru since the documentary became available online in February. Trips include accessible rail journeys to Machu Picchu, adapted biking in the Sacred Valley and adapted kayaking. Gary Cohen, South America general manager, said:
“It’s not about geting to a place, it’s about what you want to do while you’re there. “Tere’s this assumption that people in wheelchairs
don’t want to be active, but some do want the buzz. So it’s moving the conversation on about where the limits are.”
Peak DMC is working with accessible travel company
Wheel the World on the trips, and is also developing a Toubkal trek in Morocco to be released by early 2020.
Wheelchair users on Machu Picchu
13 JUNE 2019
17
PICTURES: Sarah Lucy Brown
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