The case studies in this collection are examples of some of the actions adopted by members of the Tour Operators' Initiative to put their commitment to sustainable development into practice.
Many of these case studies are 'work in progress', but they provide good examples of the types of practice that all tour operators can adopt to help tackle sustainable development in three main areas: the supply chain, within their own organizations, and at destinations.
The members of the Initiative have committed to continue to improve these practices. They recognize that none of these examples is a 'one and only' solution. Not only does each example need to be adapted to a specific situation but also a combination of actions is needed to ensure the sustainable development of the tour operators' business. The case studies in this collection are examples of some of the actions adopted by members of the Tour Operators' Initiative to put sustainable development into practice.
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British Airways Holidays (pdf file 87KB) is conducting Life Cycle Assessment in its most important destinations to identify, in cooperation with local stakeholders, the main areas of concern in the development of the tourism industry and to propose relevant and effective solutions.
The Scandinavian Leisure Group (pdf file 68KB) has established an auditing system in its tourism destinations, and has used this to open up a constructive dialogue with local stakeholders - and particularly the local authorities - about sustainable development.
To bring forward its commitment to environmental and social issues, JTB World Vacations Inc., a subsidiary of Japan Travel Bureau (pdf file 61KB) has implemented an Environmental Management System, according to ISO 14001 criteria.
Finnair Travel Services (pdf file 71KB) is introducing environmental clauses into its contracts with hotels. This provides a legal basis for ensuring that the selected hotels respect minimum criteria of environmental quality.
ITS-Reisen (pdf file 103KB) is opening a constructive dialogue with its contracted hotels by distributing an information manual on environmental management in hotels.
Orizzonti (pdf file 63KB) has developed checklists for its contracted hotels to increase their awareness and to offer a competitive advantage to the ones that have in place environmental conservation measures, by highlighting them in its catalogues.
Implementing a more sustainable transport policy is one of the core elements of Studiosus (pdf file 70KB) efforts toward sustainable development. Incentives to substitute air and road transport with train and special clauses for buses are among the implementing measures adopted.
Complementing international conservation efforts by providing direct financial assistance and indirect support to remote mountain destination in the Karakorum region is at the core of Travel Walji's (pdf file 138KB) efforts to promote sustainable forms of tourism.
Premier Tours (pdf file 94KB) designs tours that include sites and accommodations that contribute to the conservation of the visited destinations as a way to contribute to the sustainable development of tourism in Southern Africa.
Viaggi del Ventaglio (pdf file 98KB) contributes financially by setting aside a share of the revenue generated by its customers to Santo Domingo, and reinvesting this in the preservation and restoration of the site.
An interpretation guide for the customers providing a thorough understanding of sensitive areas such as the Antarctic is an important element of Hapag Lloyd Kreuzfahrten's (pdf file 113KB) commitment to protect the visited destinations.
Guidelines for responsible tourists have been developed by Andante Travels (pdf 81KB) to improve the relationship in the visited sites between visitors and local communities as well as minimize visitors' impact on the natural and cultural environment.
Increasing customer awareness in sensitive destinations such as the Red Sea is the goal of Accor Tour (pdf file 117KB) which has developed a leaflet highlighting the actions to avoid in order to prevent damage to the coral reefs and coastal environment.
Motivated tour guides will not only improve the quality of the visit but they will also be the most effective guardians of the destinations. VASCO Travel (pdf file 85KB) offers its tour guides annual training addressing sustainable development and teaching them the most effective communication techniques.
The TUI Group (pdf file 101KB), a Preussag Group Company, has produced a far-reaching and interactive web site for use by anyone interested, including guests, partners, destination communities, research and environmental organizations, and journalists. The site has already given rise to an aid project for Samos after the forest fires of summer 2000.
Thomson Travel's (pdf file 108KB) subsidiary, Fritidresor, is combating the commercial sexual exploitation of children by implementing the ECPAT code of conduct against child sex tourism.
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For more information about the Tour Operators' Initiative contact Giulia Carbone at giulia.carbone@unep.fr