Sign the pledge, urges TTC chief
The Travel Corporation’s global CEO, Brett Tollman, characterised as an “eco-warrior,” is actively putting his money where his mouth is through the wide range of philanthropic activities undertaken by the company’s Treadright Foundation.
In Australia last month to help promote the launch of AAT Kings’ 2019/2020 programs, Tollman urged the industry to stand alongside the organisation by committing to a pledge to “Make Travel Matter”.
In line with the Foundation’s three pillars supporting people, planet and wildlife, the pledge aims to support sustainable tourism and “conscious travel,” with a commitment to refusing single use plastics, offsetting carbon emissions, honouring cultures in a spirit of diversity and inclusion, and purchasing locally made items wherever possible, paying a fair price.
The pledge also includes a promise to only experience wildlife in natural settings, and not support animal cruelty in any way.
“Together, we will tread right upon the earth – and we will make our travel matter,” it concludes.
Tollman, who had arrived in Sydney straight from the United Nations Climate Summit, told travelbulletin it was vital that the industry position itself as a leader in environmental issues, particularly in the current environment where “flight shaming” is a rising trend, with some people deciding not to travel by air because of the impact of aviation.
“We need to highlight the benefits of travel and tourism,” he said, noting the misguided efforts of some opponents who blame the sector for its environmental footprint.
All of the Travel Corporation’s 10,000 employees across the globe in the organisation’s 42 sister companies have personally committed to sharing the Treadright ethos, as travel providers and as members of the global travel industry. The Travel Corporation is also backing the April 2020 Travel Daily Sustainability Summit as a gold sponsor.
The Treadright Foundation pledge is online at treadright.org/pledge.