10 November 2008

First Choice trials ââ¬ËœEco-Travellerââ¬â¢ programme in primary schools

First Choice is to introduce a new programme for a number of schools focusing on elements of sustainable tourism from both an environmental and social perspective. Through a series of fun-filled activity sheets, primary school children will learn about the importance of protecting the natural environment and culture, both in the UK and in some of their favourite holiday destinations.

The programme is aimed at Key Stage 2 school children aged 7 to 11, and the eight activity sheets are designed to complement elements of the national curriculum in the subjects of History, English, Geography and Science. The scheme has been developed in collaboration with the National Schools Partnership, an organisation which works to bring teachers and businesses together, and the Travel Foundation, a UK sustainable tourism charity.

Activity sheets on destinations such as Kenya will allow children to think laterally about eco-systems and the needs of animals and humans, whilst spotting the problems that climate change and the deterioration of land will cause.

Children will be able to learn more about sustainable tourism and the issues that holiday destinations face, including some projects that First Choice is involved in. They will also be given the opportunity to visit their local First Choice shop, where they will be met by helpful staff, who will assist them in completing a world activity sheet. Once their sheet is completed, the children will be awarded with an ââ¬ËœEco-Travellerââ¬â¢ certificate, and parents will be given a Ã&#pound;50 holiday voucher containing tips on how they can make a difference on holiday.

The scheme is to be trialled with 15 schools and eight First Choice shops until 31st January. If the trial is successful, the ââ¬ËœEco-Travellerââ¬â¢ programme is expected to roll out nationwide in 2009.

Doug Glenwright, Marketing Manager for Customer Experience at First Choice, said ââ¬ÅâœThis is a great opportunity for First Choice to be part of the local community and work in partnership with schools to provide our children with excellent learning resources, which are both educational and fun! Itââ¬â¢s also a fantastic opportunity for our colleagues in First Choice shops to learn more about the environment, and the ways that our customers can reduce their environmental footprint.ââ¬~

Valere Tjolle

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