Sustainable Tourism
At Portland we're passionate about people and the environment - and we know a healthy environment makes for better holidays. We may not be the experts, but a big responsibility lies on our shoulders. This is why we've been working with a wide range of organisations to develop new ways to protect the environment and support people in the places you love to visit.
World Care Fund
When you book a Portland holiday, flying from May 2009, you can make a donation to the World Care Fund. Every penny goes to our partners, The Travel Foundation and Climate Care, who run projects that support local people in holiday destinations and tackle climate change. We'll ask for a donation of £1 per passenger (50p for children). We'll then match your contribution with another pound, and the money will be split between Climate Care and The Travel Foundation to support their projects ? so together we'll make an even bigger difference.
The Travel Foundation is a charity caring for local communities in our favourite holiday destinations.
The charity helps locals set up their own tourism businesses, so they can benefit from your visit.
With your donations, 550 Gambian farmers have been trained in supplying quality fresh produce to hotels.
And in Kenya's Enkereri Village, money made from their new tourism ventures has allowed Maasai
villagers to pay for clean water and schooling.
To find out more about The Travel Foundation please visit
www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk
Climate Care uses the money you give to fund carbon-offsetting projects, which means you're
helping make up for the impact of your flight. We estimate the money raised will help offset
approximately 20% of our flights' carbon emissions.
In Zambia, our water-power project is bringing clean energy to the village of Kalene, powering
schools and the local hospital. The project not only helps to offset the emissions from your flight,
but also allows others to benefit from renewable energy.
What's more, our Climate Care projects are being accredited by Gold Standard, an organisation
that ensures carbon-offsetting schemes are good for people as well as the environment.
To find out more about Climate Care and Gold Standard, please visit
www.climatecare.org and www.cdmgoldstandard.org
Get Involved
We've been adapting our business to help protect the environment and respect local communities.
We believe our actions can make a difference, and you too can play a role...
Before you go
- Start enjoying your holiday before you go by doing some background reading on the people and places you'll be visiting. Your welcome will be warmer if you take an interest and speak even a few simple phrases in the local language
- Recycle your holiday brochures when you've finished, or pass them on to a friend
- Please don't bring litter on holiday with you. Remove the packaging from clothing, toiletries etc. and recycle if possible
- Keep your baggage weight to a minimum to save fuel on your flight? every little helps!
Before you travel, check out the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website
www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.
It's packed with essential travel advice and tips, as well as up-to-date information on the country
you're visiting.
While you are away
- Don't have your photograph taken with any wild animals held captive, and ask before taking photographs of local people
- Discard packaging waste before travelling
- Buy locally made souvenirs and use local services wherever possible
- Help preserve local wildlife and habitats - don't damage flowers, plants or coral, or buy products made from endangered plants or animals
- Use water sparingly. Take showers instead of baths, and inform hotel staff if you are happy to re-use towels and linen
- Save energy - always turn off air conditioning, lights and TVs when not required
- Learn about appropriate dress codes and behaviour, including how much to tip
Many of these tips are taken from The Travel Foundation's Insider Guide on sustainable tourism. Find out more here: www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk