Industry ‘pathetic’ over green issues – Blastland
TUI´s commitment to environmental matters will be brought in line with First Choice’s following the merger betwen the two travel groups, according to FC´s marketing director Tim Williamson.
He said TUI has already been in touch with First Choice to discuss how to implement Corporate Social Responsibility in the newly merged organisation.
“They will be brought into line with us, it will not be the other way around,” assured Williamson.
First Choice claims it has already cut its carbon emissions by 25% by introducing various green friendly initiatives, including a carbon offset scheme.
MD Dermot Blastland said its airline is on track to be a completely carbon neutral airline within five years.
TUI and First Choice each have orders in place for 12 Boeing 787s, which are more fuel efficient and will gradually replace existing aircraft.
This week, First Choice also launched an initiative with Coolearth.com to offer its customers the chance to buy an acre of rainforest for £75 that would have otherwise been destroyed for commercial use.
“We as a company have bought 2,000 hectares and will buy the same each year,” said Blastland.
He urged other travel companies not to be complacent over green issues.
“The industry is pathetic,” he said at the Institure of Travel & Tourism conference in Gran Canaria. “We have lost the debate and there is no point in arguing that aviation is only a small part of it. We have to tackle it head on.”
But he said First Choice would continue with its strategy of growing its long-haul business.
“Stopping long-haul would have a devastating impact on places like the Dominican Republic, Kenya and Cuba,” he said. “As long as you counteract the impact, it´s irrelevant if you’re on a flight to Cyprus or Jamaica.”
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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