The upcoming Travel Convention will focus on sustainable tourism and nature preservation.
- A key event, the Sustainable Travel Agora, aims to promote responsible tourism practices.
- Experts will explore how tourism can benefit communities without harming the environment.
- Delegates have the opportunity to participate in a local environmental initiative.
- Discussion will include strategies for reducing tourism’s ecological footprint.
The Travel Convention, held in Greece this October, will host the Sustainable Travel Agora, an initiative established by the Greek National Tourism Organisation in 2023. The Agora aims to foster a more sustainable travel industry and will be a pivotal part of the convention.
The Agora’s roundtable, chaired by Abta’s head of sustainability, Carol Rose, will spotlight best practices for ensuring that tourism preserves rather than harms local ecosystems. Discussions will focus on how tourism can simultaneously protect natural resources and benefit local communities. Carol Rose emphasised that the goal is to promote sustainable tourism without compromising environmental integrity.
Attendees will delve into policies and strategies designed to minimise the environmental impact of tourism. This includes educating tourists about sustainable practices to ensure that their presence does not detrimentally impact the host destinations.
In an effort to encourage community involvement, participants of the convention can join ‘Messinia Without Trash,’ a volunteer project organised by Save Your Hood in partnership with easyJet holidays. About 30 attendees are expected to assist local volunteers at Divari White Beach in cleaning efforts.
Natasha Marson of easyJet holidays highlighted the significance of collaboration between travel agents and their role in the industry’s growth, as exemplified by the 20 travel agents hosted by easyJet holidays for this convention.
The Travel Convention underscores the pressing need for sustainable practices in tourism, uniting industry leaders to chart a future that respects both nature and local communities.
