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Ιn the Netherlands the tour operators have introduced a possible key to a tourism revival. Starting this year, Dutch tour operators will implement a sustainable management system which can also turn a key in their tourist destinations. Travelife is an easy to use system for all travel related businesses that recognize the challenge ofinnovation. With the global concern about the environment and the growing demand for /value-formoney/, sustainable tourism can offer a key to success. In October 2008, the Boston Consulting Group found that more consumers systematically purchased /green/ products in 2008 than in 2007. Moreover, they found that consumers were willing to give preference to /green/ products deemed to be of higher quality. Therefore, the continuing expansion of environmental consciousness around the world presents a huge opportunity for smart companies. Unified in their search for quality, all members of the Dutch Association of Tour Operators (ANVR) are now implementing the Travelife system in both in- and external management and product development.
The Travelife system also has the backing of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) in the UK, ABTA (UK) and Forum Anders Reisen (FAR) in Germany. Many of their members already feature the Travelife logo’s in their brochures and on their websites, where they have previously been reluctant to feature eco-labels. Moreover, tour operators promote suppliers that use the Travelife Sustainability System, and some of them already use the extensive database to look for sustainable contract partners.
The introduction of Travelife in tour operating and with all the suppliers is supported with some very helpful tools. All the participating tour operators have online access to information on their suppliers. They can find all the suppliers’ sustainability performance and use it as a selection criterion in their product planning and contracting.
Also for suppliers it is easily accessible through internet. The online registration is followed by a complimentary evaluation of their performance and provides them with advice and tools on how to improve it.
The Travelife system is not another ‘eco-label’. It is a sustainability scheme that enables businesses to work more sustainable, and to actively promote their efforts to a wide audience. As it is launched throughout the entire business chain, Travelife becomes a single and recognizable brand that stands for success. It is rapidly becoming an ‘umbrella’ system for the entire tourism business chain. The region of Calvia in Mallorca – technically the largest tourism destination in Spain by number of beds – with 60,000 tourist accommodation units/beds in total – has already committed to improve its sustainability by working with the Travelife Sustainability System.
The Council of Calvia encourages all the properties in their area to adopt the Travelife system as part of an overall approach to sustainability. Therefore, the local authority has approached all accommodation owners and managers in the resorts in Calvia, asking them to register for the Travelife Sustainability System and work towards obtaining the Travelife awards.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
