Airfaires Could be Soaring

Thompsonfly have stated that they will resist any calls for an environment tax as the public will not tolerate another hike in fairs. If this happens then the carrier will be forced to shell out millions, which obviously they aren’t happy about the prospect of doing. Thompson say that as they carry 4 million passengers they could potentially have to pay out £4 million if their passengers refused to pay even £1 extra per flight.

Thompsonfly does stress however that the airline does support sustainable aviation and was making strides towards reducing emissions. This is a scheme that Tom Morton, director of Climate Care is in support of as he has predicted a tax "across the board" would have little or no impact to the environment, as “The demand for aviation would still be there".

Eco-tourism: boon or bane?

In the coming International Media and Environment Summit (IMES) in Kuching, Sarawak starting today the questions of how can eco-tourism play a positive role in conservation? How can this role be enhanced? How should it be portrayed in the media?
Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Toyad, a keynote speaker at the summit, says that this meeting of international media, environmental scientists and policy-makers will discuss the ways in which the media can be used to project eco-tourism in an effective way.

Find out more of what will be happening at www.newsworldnature. com

Check out China

An article written by Carol Pucci in The Seattle Times gave a fascinating insight into some of the responsible travel options that are available in the largely undiscovered country of China. The article focuses on individuals who are involved in locally driven travel initiatives which give a fascinating insight into how projects are tackled. This form of tourism is the result of economic reforms in China as previously in the late 1980s the state-owned China Travel Service held a monopoly on tourism. Click here to find out more about some of the emerging responsible travel initiatives in China.

Dear Tony

London-based think tank the International Institute for Environment and Development have urged Tony Blair to offer strong support of legally-binding targets to combat climate change and to champion the interests of poor people and nations who suffer most from the threat. An open letter to Mr Blair, published in the Scotsman says: “"We are deeply concerned that UK policy seems to be drifting away from supporting legally binding United Nations agreements to cut greenhouse gas emissions." And "Without a huge financial commitment... climate change will increase world poverty and put the UN Millennium Development Goals beyond our reach."

Support for combating climate change is a necessity not just another item on the political agenda, so we hope Mr Blair listens.

Travellers Reject Responsible Travel

In a somewhat depressing survey conducted by Mintel 1000 people were questioned on their attitude to responsible travel. It was found that a third of people had no interest in environmental issues, 17% of which actively didn’t want to think about how their travels could impact their holiday destination. Only 1 in 5 of people said that it was important that their visit benefited local communities. Many other statistics were pulled up in this report, demonstrating there is still a long way to go before we can really expect responsible travel to be a commonplace phenomenon.

Take a look at our website at just some of the ways in which you can make your contribution to your holiday destination by clicking here.

How to Avoid a Holiday Guilt Trip

Pressure group Tourism Concern is holding a one-off event on how to avoid guilt trips for travellers, tourists and students planning a gap year abroad called Exploring The Issues of Exploring The World. The event will look at concrete ways to act as a responsbile traveller - thereby ensuring a much better time for both holidaymakers and local communities.

Taking place at London Metropolitan University on 10th December, Exploring The Issues of Exploring The World is open to anyone who holidays abroad but especially those planning a gap year, going travelling, backpacking or visiting a developing country.

As tourists, a significant percentage of the travelling public is unaware how their behaviour can have an effect on the developing world. Tourism Concern regularly receives reports from people dependent on tourism all over the world about how travellers impact on their lives. For instance haggling for the absolute cheapest price means a fair price is unlikely to be paid.

Resiato Martyn from the Maasai Conservation and Development Organisation, Kenya will be speaking at the event and also leading a workshop on cultural impacts. Ms Martyn is concerned that growth in tourism including volunteer tourism raises serious questions for traditional indigenous culture and has first hand experience of "volunteer" tourism impacts.

According to event organiser Dave Tucker: "Exploring The Issues of Exploring The World is not about trying to make people feel guilty. Tourism Concern just wants travellers to realise that even very small actions can make a big difference in improving the lives of the 200 million people dependent on tourism to make a living.

"The essential travel tips that we will be giving out during the workshop will help those who attend the event to get more out of their travels AND give something back - all while having a great time!"

Sessions run by experts will include how to take better photographs responsibly, learning about different cultures, reducing environmental damage and a seminar on travel-writing. The main event will be a provocative debate entitled Gap Year Projects: The New Colonialism? This will weigh up the benefits that a gap year brings to local communities against the benefits to volunteers.

Packed with exciting and practical workshops, Exploring The Issues Of Exploring The World is open to all, and a must for any would-be Responsible traveller. Admission is FREE of charge.

To book Contact dave@tourismconcern.org.uk
020 7133 3330

The event is supported by Intrepid Travel who are offering participants the chance to win a dream holiday to Asia.

Click here to check out our guilt-free holidaying tips.

Snow's up!

The Ski Club of Great Britain has compiled an online environmental guide of more than 200 worldwide ski resorts. This list provides information on recycling, climate policy, sewage management, traffic reduction, green power use and green building policy. It is hoped that this will prompt ski resorts to take action to enhance their ‘eco-friendly’ rating and encourage good environmental practices. This is another boost for responsible travel.

At present we don't have any Ski destinations, however do check out our other holiday destinations where we have done all the 'eco-friendly' research for you.

A Press Release That You Might Find Interesting:

For immediate release Tuesday 15 November 2005 Chancellor Gordon Brown Announces Winners of the Enterprising Young Brits competition

Tom Savage and Alasdair Harris from London received Special Commendation in Social and Community category.

Twenty-four finalists from across the UK gave presentations to the judges in a ‘X Factor’-style final this morning, as part of a flagship Enterprise Week event run by the Make Your Mark campaign.

Tom Savage and Alasdair Harris, both 26, set up Blue Ventures, a pioneering marine conservation and development organisation based in London and Madagascar, two years ago. In this time the company, which employs 20 members of staff has established one of the world’s remotest underwater research centres and hosted 180 international volunteers on 17 separate six-week expeditions. www.blueventures.org

The competition is part of the Make Your Mark – start talking ideas campaign and recognises young people who have turned their ideas into reality.

Chancellor Gordon Brown says; ‘All of the finalists are winners – they are creating new opportunities and advancing new ideas to create an enterprising society. You are showing that Britain is an enterprising economy.
‘Do not underestimate the power you have to encourage others – you are making your mark by showing that enterprise is changing the face of Britain.’

Kevin Steele, of the Make your Mark campaign and competition organiser, says, 'All of the finalists in today's Enterprising Young Brits competition are truly inspirational young people and we wish all of them well for future. On behalf of all the judges our congratulations go to the five winners James Murray Wells, Ali Clabburn, Calypso Rose, Oliver Bridge and Anna Cowley. I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of all of today’s finalists as their enterprises continue to flourish and their stories will inspire many others to make their mark.'

Enterprise Week (14-20 November) is a national celebration of enterprise, with over 2,000 events taking place throughout the UK. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Make Your Mark – start talking ideas campaign and what is happening during Enterprise Week should go to http://www.starttalkingideas.org/

Some Eco-Tips

With the increasing popularity of ‘ecotourism’ there is growing concern about organisations are marketing themselves under the guise of ecotourism, whilst their practice does not exemplify what is expected of a responsible travel agent. As a result certain environmental organisations are developing responsible tourism practices at a number of different levels, for example evaluating the environmental impact or “ecological footprint” of a holiday.

Here are some handy hints suggested by The New Nations:
- Research where you’re going before you book. Check out: http://www.ecotourism.org/.
- ‘Sleep green’ by staying in lodges that have the Green Seal Certification for environmentally responsible practices.
- Rent a car, such as a Mini, that limits its petrol release. There’s no need to be driving a huge SUV for small road trips.
- Stick to local produce.
- When buying souvenirs check where they’re from, many are made from endangered animals.
- Respect coral reefs.
- Don’t veer off designated pathways; this will limit your environmental impact.
- Don’t feed animals.
- Don’t litter.
- Buy alternative energy certificates. These pay for the production of renewable energy generated in wind farms, which compensates for the pollution created by tourism.
- Leave everything as it is, for others to enjoy the way you have.

Responsible Travel Wins Awards

We would like to congratulate Tribes Travel who have just won 2 responsible Tourism Awards. These awards were presented to them at the First Choice-sponsored awards organised by responsibletravel.com at the World Travel Market.
CEO Justin Francis said: "What makes these awards different is that tourists have nominated tourism ventures that they felt provided an outstanding holiday, that also benefited local people and the destination." Over 700 nominations were receives which could be used to indicate the growing popularity of responsible travel.

Some Papers of Interest

For those of you with an interest in responsible tourism, you may like to take a look at two papers published by the Pro Poor Tourism Partnership and International Centre for Responsible Tourism:

www.pptpartnership.org/pptpar2005.pdf
www.icrtourism.org/certification.pdf

Further information on both organisations, based at the University of Greenwich, can be found on their websites, and also at http://www.haroldgoodwin.info/

Publicity: Travel Foundation

There has been more publicity promoting responsible travel recently as Foreign Office Minister Ian Pearson has encouraged more travel firms to back UK charity Travel Foundation. The Travel Foundation works with governments, NGO’s and industry to achieve sustainable patterns of tourism globally.

Attention was drawn to the charity when 10 leading travel firms met to discuss ways in which tourism could have a positive impact on their holiday destinations. Mr Pearson pointed out that tourism is the world’s biggest industry and, if utilised to positive effect, could be hugely beneficial both environmentally and in community development. The meeting went on to discuss the possibility of a customer donation scheme which would see a small percentage of their holiday cost going to help local communities.

All of this is hugely exciting, demonstrating a growing awareness about the need to protect as well as enjoy all the destinations we’re keen to visit.

Dracula Park Sucks

Here is a further example of how sustainable tourism standards are being applied to potential developments. Dracula Park in Romania is proposing to build its theme park in a highly sensitive area adjacent to the medieval town and World Heritage site of Sighisoara. This has met with much debate by many local organisations and NGOs who are pressing the importance of cultural sustainability. This provides another string added to the responsible travel bow.
If travelling responsibly in Romania could interest you, why not check out our Transylvanian Castle Estate by cliking here

Wilma Aftermath for Tourist Industry

The Federation of Tour Operators has estimated that, following Hurricane Wilma, tourist operators are facing up to $20 million losses from flights alone. The devastation caused by the hurricane has hit the industry hard. One company has had to pay out $4 million to repatriate tourists and cancel their program.

Ecotourism Australia's 2005 National Conference in Hobart and Regional Tasmania 28th November to 2nd December, 2005.

Ecotourism Australia's 2005 National Conference in Hobart and Regional Tasmania 28th November to 2nd December, 2005.
Ecotourism Australia has released the official conference programfor its 13th National Conference to be held in Hobart and RegionalTasmania from 28th November to 2nd December, 2005.In partnership with Tourism Tasmania, Parks and Wildlife ServiceTasmania and the Federal Group, Ecotourism Australia is set todeliver the key event on the ecotourism industry calendar.Presentations from experts across the globe in ecotourism include:Professor David Bellamy, World Leading Botanist "Ecotourism is surrounded by insurmountable opportunities (Stitching the world back into working order)."Chandra de Silva, Founder Director/CEO, Ranweli Holiday Village,Sri Lanka "Ecotourism and the Road to Recovery: The Aftermath of the Tsunami" Kelly Bricker & Keith Sproule, Chair, The International Ecotourism Society "Ecotourism: International Perspectives and Australia's Role in the Future"Dr Graeme Pearman, Director, Graeme Pearman Consulting"Global Warming ˆ Implications for Ecotourism Nationally andGlobally".
Four current and topical ecotourism issues will be discussed at theRegional Themed Streams over two days as part of an innovativeconference program. Delegate numbers at the Regional Themed Streamsare limited and are filling up quickly! Register Online now toreserve your place: http://www.ecotourism.org.au/conferenceTheme: ICONsequences: The Future of Australia's World and NationalHeritage Sites at Freycinet PeninsulaTheme: People and Places: Balancing Community and Development atPeppermint Bay and TahuneTheme: The Experience: Thematic Interpretation ˆ Building VisitorAwareness for Conservation and Value-Adding Your Product at theTasman PeninsulaTheme: Tourism in Protected Areas: Balancing Protection, Profitsand People at Port Huon and TahuneFor further information and to register securely online now, visithttp://www.ecotourism.org.au/conference

More People Signing up for Responsible Travel

It has been reported in the Bahamas Journal that $1.3 million grant has been given to the Bahamas Hotel Association in a plan to develop sustainable tourism. The BHA will use this money to build small and medium sized hotels that will promote eco-tourism. This is good news as it is an indication that the concept of responsible travel is catching on, so we can continue to visit the stunning places of the world as long as we do it in a responsible manner.