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Harold Goodwin's Blog

Controversy around 100% Pure New Zealand Brand

Posted by Administrator on March 24, 2010
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The world

Eco-labelling Flights

Posted by Administrator on March 19, 2010
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For
sometime Fly sometime Flybe has been labelling its flights, more recently Thomas
Cook has begun to label their aircraft too, the first charter airline to do so.
 The labels are being placed at the passenger
entrances.


There will doubtless be argument about the calculation methodology
and the assumptions that lie behind it. We live in an imperfect world and one
in which government refuses to act, preferring to exploit the opportunity to
impose a flat, so called green, tax on air passengers. The tax is not green
because it provides no incentive for people to fly in a less polluting way.

 Flybe and Thomas Cook
have applied the same methodology discussed at the British Air Transport Association
meeting in 2008. Most airlines are passively waiting for the EU Emissions Cap
and Trade scheme, otherwise known as ETS,  which will operate from 2012.

As Thomas Cook made clear in the 2009 Group Sustainability
Report around 95% of the group

Travel Matters: The new ABTA Manifesto

Posted by Administrator on March 10, 2010
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The merging of the Association of British Travel Agents with the Federation of Tour Operators in July 2008, with a  new Chief Executive and the impending 60th birthday or ABTA has created propitious circumstances for introducing a stronger responsible tourism ethic into the new ABTA. ABTA now has a team of people working in a Department focused on Destinations and Sustainability

 

The ABTA Manifesto demonstrates the change in emphasis at the new ABTA. It remains committed to pursuing the collective interest of its members: recognition, fair taxation, successful businesses, quality and providing confidence for customers.

 

The new ABTA is seeking to develop jobs that are more rewarding through enhanced training for staff; recognises its Responsibility in a Finite World to reduce carbon emissions and manage resources sustainably; to help create thriving destinations through support for sustainable tourism and Travelife. In the Manifesto ABTA recognises its roll in

The Ministry of Tourism will be hosting the 4th International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations in Muscat 10-12 October 2010.

 

The 4th International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations has four themes

  1. Tourism, Livelihoods, Local Economic Development and Human Resources
  2. Responsible Tourism in a World of Finite Resources
  3. The Responsible Tourist, Tangible and Intangible Heritage –
  4. Responsible Destinations and Marketing

 

We shall be exploring these themes internationally and regionally and considering Oman

Tourism and Local Economic Development

Posted by Administrator on March 2, 2010
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I am often asked whether or not the local economic development principles which lie behind the Pro-Poor Tourism approach developed by the Pro-Poor Tourism Partnership (Caroline Ashley, Dilys Roe and myself) are applicable in the developed world. They are.
 
The problem is that we have very few examples of initiatives intended to benefit sole traders and small enterprises in the local economy through tourism. Two examples have recently crossed my desk. Take a look

In Wales there is a Rural Crafts & Skills Event. Penpont. Brecon 17th

When Marks and Spencer launched Plan A in 2007 there was some scepticism but it has contributed to the rebirth of the company now performing much more strongly on the High Street. Of the original commitments targeted to be implemented by 2012, 45 have already been achieved. The stores are now 10% more energy efficient, logistics 20% more fuel efficient, food carrier bag usage is down 83%, food packaging down 16%, 50% of wooden products sold in the stores is either recycled or  FSC, all eggs are free range, there are no trans-fats or artificial flavours or colours in food sold at Marks and Spencer, and they have successfully encouraged their shoppers to recycle 2 million garments per year.

 

Environmental and social issues remain important to UK consumers. A ComRes survey commissioned by M&S, found that 72% of people surveyed are worried about environmental issues, with 73% saying that the recession had not changed their level of concern.

 

Marks and Spencer are making 80 additional commitments, every Marks and Spencer product, supplier and customer will be engaged.

  • Build Plan A into every one of the 2.7 billion individual M&S products we sell each year by 2020 (50% of products by 2015)
  • Help 1 million M&S customers develop their own personal Plan A by 2015 and 3 million by 2020.
  • Launch a