Many people talk about sustainability, and we all like to think that we are taking personal steps to respect, preserve and extend life on Earth. But the greatest impact primarily comes from large corporations with the resources, influence, and purchasing power to create real change that creates tangible change around the world. With over 100 years of history (still run by a thoughtful family) and 41 strong travel brands, Travel Corporation (TTC) is one of the companies that has taken on this challenge.
In 2020, TTC set 11 very specific and measurable goals as part of its “How We Tread Right” five-year sustainability strategy. Through this, the company is making significant efforts to address the impact of its business and make travel a lasting force. all people, places, and wildlife touched by the travel industry). Here we will focus on his six brands (Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Cost Saver, and Contiki) that are part of his TTC Tour Brands division in North America.
protect the earth
The key to TTC Tour Brands' first pillar of sustainability revolves around managing and reducing the brand's overall carbon footprint. The company is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To that end, TTC Tour Brands became the first global travel company to have its short-term, long-term, and net-zero goals validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). ). That's why the TTC Tours brand is focused on prioritizing nature-based solutions that protect biodiversity and restore our planet.
This includes conserving and restoring natural spaces and improving land management to reduce carbon emissions and store carbon on Earth. It also engages local communities by reducing their vulnerability to the negative effects of climate change.
With over 60 projects underway around the world, the TTC Tour brand's commitments are too numerous to even summarize here. However, one striking example is Trafalgar's trip to Switzerland, which holds the seal of Swisstainable. The trip was also certified for sustainability, as it was developed in partnership with hotels, restaurants and other suppliers committed to the sustainability initiatives of the Swiss Federal Programme. Simply put, TTC Tour Brands is the first company to offer 100% sustainable travel. That means every travel experience, every day, is completely sustainable. This includes traveling by train. Introducing natural scenery. Made with seasonal ingredients from local restaurants. We support Swiss-based organizations that raise awareness of environmental and social issues.
TTC Tour Brands is also working with VisitScotland to support their ambition to become the world’s first net-zero destination. The objective of this project is to develop a structured process to better address travel emissions within a destination through the joint efforts of tour operators and destinations, thereby reducing tourism emissions at the destination level. It's about reducing.
Another example is a tour with Trafalgar's Hawaii 4 Island Adventure. This tour takes guests to the Hawaii Marine Science and Technology Park's sea salt farm, where they learn about the importance of salt in Hawaiian culture. The visit reinforces the United Nations' SDG 12: Responsible consumption and responsible production.
support people
As a second pillar of sustainability, TTC Tour Brands is committed to promoting the culture, heritage and arts of the communities we visit. The brand works to ensure these communities can truly benefit from tourism through economic empowerment. They do this through supporting small businesses and community-based tourism initiatives that build a positive future for local residents and their families.
Putting this into practice, as of 2024, all six TTC tour brands mentioned here will be offering at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience per departure. Among their many transformative travel experiences are Kontiki's Berlin Refugee Voices walking tour and a visit to Trafalgar's Iraq Al Amir Women's Cooperative. On the Trafalgar's Splendors of Japan tour, guests visit a washi paper workshop in Gokayama and learn about traditional paper making from a working family. On Insight Vacations' Italy his Bellissimo trip, travelers discover the history of Italian handloom weaving during a private demonstration at the Guditta Brozetti Museum in Perugia.
This sustainability pillar will be further expanded to address timely conversations during travel around racism, diversity, and inclusion. Examples of how TTC Tour brands support underrepresented groups include: Trafalgar National Park and the Dakotas Native Trail Trip focuses entirely on the indigenous communities of the Dakotas (in fact, over 60 percent of Trafalgar's U.S. itineraries have at least one Native business.); One of the Women Newly relaunched with Insight Vacations, women-only tours designed with travel in mind. And her most recent BIPOC-focused FAM focuses on supporting and elevating BIPOC travel advisors.
wildlife protection
With so many aspects of the planet's wildlife populations dangling over a precarious cliff, TTC Tour Brands has identified protection of the most endangered species as the third pillar of sustainability. I am supporting. That's why they partner with leading wildlife organizations and work together to make a difference while educating guests about ethical wildlife experiences.
For example, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Program helps local farmers entrust Cape leopards with these wonderful dogs to prevent them from attacking livestock. In another initiative, guests can participate in the University of Botswana Leopard Citizen Science Project, which will help collect important data to help save leopards.
In another example, part of the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® initiative, guests on a gorilla expedition in Rwanda experienced a life-changing encounter with a family of familiar mountain gorillas in a natural forest, and were given the opportunity to visit a museum. Learn about the Rwandan genocide during. On Kenya's Trafalgar Wonders Tour, travelers will learn from rangers at Oru's Peteha Reserve (a sanctuary for more than 110 endangered black rhinos) about the conservation of endangered wildlife and ecosystems. Hear directly about the activities.
What matters to travelers
According to multiple industry studies, travelers are increasingly seeking sustainable travel and want travel companies to offer more sustainable travel options. Tourism operators are under pressure to increase their accountability for protecting the destinations they visit and the people and wildlife they impact.
TTC Tour Brands is one of the brands that is doing amazingly well. The company is delivering on its promise to make travel beneficial to the communities, lands and wildlife it impacts, enabling guests and travelers around the world to open their minds to how to live in accordance with this spirit. We are fulfilling that promise.
Another essential pillar of the TTC Tour brand's sustainability program is giving back. The company encourages its employees to volunteer in their communities, giving employees a paid volunteer day each year. TTC Tour Brands is working towards a goal of providing 30,000 hours of service by 2030.
To learn more about TTC Tour Brands' progress in relation to the 11 goals of TTC Tour Brands' five-year sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right, check out our 2022 Annual Impact Report Please: https:// impact.ttc.com/ is full of facts, figures, and fascinating project information. The 2023 Annual Impact Report is expected to be published in May this year.
Travel Advisors can learn more about TTC Tour Brands' extensive sustainability efforts and immersive travel experiences for guests on the Travel Advisor Portal: https://agents.ttc.com/en-us /information/sustainability?utm_medium=article&utm_source= tmr&utm_campaign=tradead&utm_content=mtm.
From our sponsor:
About TTC Tour Brand
Ease of touring has never been more important and important. No one does tours better than the TTC Tours brand. The portfolio includes award-winning brands such as Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver and Contiki. The TTC Tours brand is the world leader in tours for everyone. This portfolio gives agents access to his over 1,000 tours in over 80 countries, ranging from budget to luxury and everything in between, through a single sales, reservations and marketing team. and improve the convenience of our single sign-on booking platform.
TTC Tour Brands is part of the family-owned The Travel Corporation (TTC) and has been in service for over 100 years. Learn more about. agent.ttc.com.
About travel agencies
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a passionate, family-owned, international group of 40 award-winning brands with over 100 years of experience. Our outstanding portfolio of brands spans 70 countries and includes a wide range of travel and tourism companies that span a variety of guided travel experiences, independent travel packages, boutique river cruises, luxury hotels and safaris. We are committed to consistently delivering superior service, experience and value to all of our customers, and we do this through continuous innovation. For more information, visit TTC.com.
