Valere Tjolle talks to John de Vial about Tourism Concern
John de Vial
Valere Tjolle of TravelMole and Vision on Sustainable Tourism finds out just what ABTA director, John de Vial, thinks of Tourism Concern
VT: What attracts you to Tourism Concern? JdV: There is a real passion there, from Tricia, Rachel and all those who are involved. Tricia and her team are very well respected by those who take the trouble to get to know them. They are not anti tourism, they are simply anti bad tourism – anti exploitation – just as we all should be.
VT: How can Tourism Concern benefit the travel industry? JdV: All mature, sophisticated industries value independent voices and critical friends. These are sometimes uncomfortable but, ultimately, they are beneficial.
VT: What is ABTA’s position regarding Tourism Concern? JdV: We see it as a partner. Tourism Concern is within the circle of key stakeholders we value. We don’t always agree, but we do value and respect its views.
VT: In your opinion, what are Tourism Concern’s greatest achievements? JdV: It has championed the social aspects of sustainability. Tourism Concern provides a tenacious voice for the poor who should benefit from, and not be further excluded by, tourism. In addition, the organisation has progressed these issues in partnership with others such
as The Travel Foundation
VT: And their biggest current challenges? JdV: Funding in a difficult climate and getting smaller and middle-size companies on board. And getting the human rights’ agenda understood in the right context that is relevant to tourism – finding the method and platform to challenge without frightening people off.
VT: In worrying times, why should the industry support Tourism Concern? JdV: Because it is important to all our futures – their agenda is part of our sustainable future as an industry. Our economic purpose is, first, to benefit the places we visit (why else would they welcome us?) and then, and only then, to benefit the visitor. If there are better places to live, there are better places to visit.
One of the mistakes that has been made has been to think of responsible tourism as a niche product, a premium-offer opportunity such as luxury eco-tourism. This agenda is about the whole industry and everything we do. ABTA research shows that customers do care about this and want to know what travel organisers are doing – responsibility and sustainability are ‘design and build’ quality issues, not optional extras. Human rights are just that – rights – and, as members of the tourism industry, we should be concerned that we fulfil the role of a powerful influence for good.
That is our place in the world.
John de Vial talked to Valere Tjolle for Tourism Concern’s magazine ‘In Focus’ www.tourismconcern.org.uk/
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite: EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER at:
www.travelmole.com/stories/1145345.php
Valere
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