Ten years ago World Travel Market set up a day dedicated to the environment, recognising the importance green and sustainable issues…
Ten years ago World Travel Market set up a day dedicated to the environment, recognising the importance green and sustainable issues would play in the future of world travel and tourism.
Ten years on, much has changed. The green agenda in tourism has moved on. With this has come a change of language. As the phrase `Responsible Tourism` is now a recognised term used by the industry to highlight environmental protection and responsibilities to local people and cultures, World Travel Market has renamed its dedicated day from `Environmental Awareness Day` to `Responsible Tourism Day`.
The founder of the Day, Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director, said: This move shows the importance World Travel Market places on this particular sector of the travel and tourism industry. This change has been made with the support of key players in the responsible tourism arena, many who are official supporters of the day.
World Travel Market has played an important role in raising key issues and encouraging debate over the past ten years; a debate which is set to continue for many years to come. The renaming of the day reflects the event`s long term commitment to a sector the travel and tourism industry ignores at its peril, and a desire to move the debate forward from those early years.
The importance placed on Responsible Tourism Day is well illustrated by its growing numbers of supporters. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), ABTA and The Travel Foundation have signed up as supporters for the third year running.
Joining them for the first time are Tour Operators Initiative, Responsible travel.com, Rainforest Alliance and The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).
A full programme of events has been developed with the day`s supporters.
The highlight of the morning will be the Global Challenge Debate on the World Stage which brings together tour operators, national tourist boards, specialist environmental companies and travel agents for what is always a lively discussion.
The afternoon sees workshops and seminars by the likes of Tour Operators Initiative and The Travel Foundation which highlight case histories, sustainable tourism practice and policies and the business case for sustainability.
Responsible Tourism Day takes place on Wednesday 10 November from 11.00 am onwards. All events are free and allocated on a first come first serve basis. Please see the programme of events on our website at www.wtmlondon.com
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
