Views from the top

Netherlands-based adventure travel specialist Sawadee Reizen was awarded the Green Feather 2011 for most sustainable tourism initiative by TravMagazine at this year’s Dutch Tourism Expo. Sawadee earned this award with an inventive campaign promoting the use of tap water and reduction of plastic waste and now gives all travellers a free reusable plastic bottle for refill during their trip. The initiative was promoted with a fun photo competition challenging customers to show their bottle appearing in exciting and exotic destinations worldwide. Click here for more information.

Thomson Airways became the first UK airline to operate commercial flights on sustainable biofuel when TOM 7446 took off from Birmingham Airport to Arrecife in Lanzarote on 6 July 2011. Carrying 232 passengers on a Boeing 757-200, the landmark flight, which was given full backing by Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers, confirmed Thomson Airways’ position at the forefront of sustainable aviation.

The flight generated a considerable amount of press coverage and has paved the way for daily flights to commence from early 2012.

TUI Travel conducted extensive consumer research in 2010 in partnership with the Global Nature Fund, with nearly 4,000 people interviewed online from 8 key source markets. The purpose was for TUI Travel to better understand people’s motivations and concerns in order to respond and engage in the right ways. The survey gave positive signs that more sustainable holidays are desirable: 1 in 2 would be willing to book a more sustainable holiday if available. 2 in 3 would change their behaviour on holiday to help the environment. 2 in 3 want their holiday company to be clear about how they make their holidays more sustainable.