topbonus will use the Futouris network to increase its project involvement, develop its supported projects in collaboration with the Scientific Advisory Committee and have these accredited according to current sustainability criteria.
Futouris, the sustainability initiative of the tourist industry, has welcomed a new member. topbonus Ltd., the operator of airberlin‘s frequent flyer programme, has joined the association with immediate effect.
An airline’s customer loyalty programme as a new Futourist? This might seem strange at first glance. So far, it is mainly tour operators, cruise companies and travel agents that are involved in the initiative. Hasso von During is therefore delighted about its new member. “The inclusion of topbonus allows Futouris to take another crucial step towards linking the diverse world of sustainability projects with the end customer. It also opens up new opportunities for promoting projects”, said the Chairman of Futouris.
topbonus will use the Futouris network to increase its project involvement, develop its supported projects in collaboration with the Scientific Advisory Committee and have these accredited according to current sustainability criteria. For Futouris, there will be new opportunities for the future direction of its end customer communications and project funding. Thanks to its involvement with Futouris, members of the topbonus programme will be able to convert their miles into project donations, for the “Kleine Unternehmer ganz gro?” project, for example.
“Kleine Unternehmer ganz gro?” will be the first project sponsored by topbonus to be implemented as part of its Futouris membership, with its Welthungerhilfe partner in Cuba. Against the background of social change in Cuba, issues such as operational management pose huge challenges for many of its new rural small businesses. As part of the project, training courses are intended to prepare small agricultural companies for issues such as packaging, sales management and marketing. At the same time, they will be taught environmentally-adapted farming techniques, thereby helping to increase agricultural productivity and fight poverty.
By collaborating with the Futouris industry network, the project is attempting to bring together local producers and hotels, in order to create sustainable sources of income for the project participants and their families, while supplying guests with authentic Cuban food.
“Sustainability aspects increasingly represent added value for tourist products. For topbonus, our Futouris membership is therefore a logical step as we work towards developing a lifestyle programme. The implementation of our first project allows our guests to experience our commitment to private Cuban businesses first hand during their holiday”, says Anton Lill, Managing Director of topbonus Ltd.
airberlin is expanding its services to Cuba from this summer onwards. From May 2016, Havana will be a new destination, in addition to its flights to Varadero. There will be two weekly non-stop flights to Havana from Dusseldorf, as well as convenient connecting services from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to the Cuban capital.
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She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
