Plastic is focus of Make Holidays Greener campaign
Plastic is the focus of this year’s Make Holidays Greener campaign, led by ABTA in partnership with Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations.
The ‘Say no to plastic’ campaign runs from now until the end of September.
Designed to raise awareness of green issues, the campaign also encourages holidaymakers to make a sustainable holiday pledge.
There are 15 pledges available which cover all aspects of a holiday – from saying no to plastic to eating locally and reusing towels or taking shorter showers to save water.
Last year, almost 1,000 sustainable holiday pledges were made and an estimated 2,500 people took part in 79 clean-up activities.
Travel businesses, tourist boards and hotels can also take action, for example, taking part in plastic-free initiatives, organising a clean-up activity, or encouraging hoteliers and suppliers to consider alternatives to plastics wherever possible.
"The seismic shift in public attitudes means customers now have higher expectations about the use of plastics and are wanting to take action themselves too. We’d encourage all to get involved – as every actions counts," said Nikki White, ABTA director of destinations and sustainability.
"Holidaymakers can take part in a beach clean, take a reusable bag on their next trip or make a holiday pledge on the Make Holidays Greener website. Not only will it contribute to having a great holiday, but also help to ensure their chosen destination is preserved for years to come.
"Almost 70% of consumers now think travel companies should ensure their holidays help the local people and economy, and businesses can use this to drive for a change in their approach internally, as well as with suppliers and destinations."
Holidaymakers can make a pledge via http://www.makeholidaysgreener.org.uk/holidaymaker and share what they’re doing on social media using #MHG18.
Those who register a pledge on the website between June 7 and September 30 2018 will also be entered into a prize draw to win a GoPro camera with waterproof casing.
Travel companies can contact [email protected] to sign up and request a support pack.
ABTA’s ‘Delivering Sustainable Travel’ seminar will be held on June 26 with practical and up to date guidance, as well as advice on addressing the key supply chain risks.
For more information or to sign up please visit the website.
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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