LARGEST TOURIST REGION IN THE WORLD COMMITS TO SUSTAINABILITY
Date published: 12 November 2008The region of Calvià in Mallorca – technically the largest tourism destination in Spain by number of beds, and possibly in the world – with 60,000 tourist accommodation units/beds in total - has committed to improve its sustainability by working with the Federation of Tour Operators on its Travelife Sustainability System.
Andy Cooper, Director General of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO), will be meeting with The Mayor of Calvià, Mallorca, Sr. D. Carlos Delgado Truyols, at WTM on Wednesday 12 November at 12.15 at ABTA’s Stand on UK15500 to discuss their next steps in their goal to improve the sustainability of hotels and accommodation in the region.
The FTO has recently been approached by the Council of Calvià who wish to encourage all the properties in their area to adopt the Travelife Sustainability System as part of an overall approach to sustainability. As a result the FTO has entered into a formal mutual agreement with the Calvià authority to ensure effective cooperation to achieve full rollout of the system.
The local authority has now written to all accommodation owners and managers in the resorts in Calvià (Magaluf, Palma Nova, Santa Ponsa, Peguera, Illetas and Portals Nous) asking them to register for the Travelife Sustainability System and work towards obtaining the awards.
“We are hoping that Mallorca will become the flagship Travelife destination” said Chris Thompson, Head of Responsible Tourism for the FTO. “Securing collaboration with the Calvià region will not only pave the way for the introduction of the system throughout the Balearics and mainland Spain, but also send a clear message to popular destinations everywhere that we want to introduce the Travelife Sustainability System as the tool of choice for British Tour Operators.”
Whilst relatively unknown to consumers as of yet, many tour operators are taking the plunge to introduce the Travelife Award scheme through their brochures and websites. The bronze, silver and gold awards reflect performance against environmental and social criteria with additional focus on ethical trading and benefits to local people and communities.
“We are in advanced negotiations with a number of hotel chains who want to work with the Travelife system,” says Chris Thompson. “There are over 100 Travelife awarded hotels around the globe and considerable interest from the international tourism community who see this as the only system gathering momentum despite the current climate”.
For more information take a look at the website www.its4travel.com or contact info@its4travel.com.
For further information
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Notes to editors
ABTA was founded in 1950 and currently has over 1,400 members with 6,000 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators.
ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements.
