The TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes initiative has been relaunched for 2023 alongside partners Avis Budget Group, G Touring, Hurtigruten Group, Iberostar Beach Resorts and Intrepid Travel. Now in its second year, and with an exciting new format, TTG and the five partners are seeking 20 passionate and dedicated agents to become TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors. 

The 20 agents will join a series of educational online workshops and receive expert guidance, helping them take steps within their businesses to help build a more responsible tourism industry. They’ll receive tailored assets to promote their new status, invitations to fam trips, support to host a sustainable client event, £100 marketing spend to promote sustainable holidays and a host of other rewards. 

To enter, agents are asked to suggest a holiday package that features sustainable products from at least two of the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes partners. Find out more and how to enter here.

Sarah Weetman, sales director at Touring Partner G Touring (Just You and Travelsphere), said the time was right for agents to grow their confidence in selling sustainable holidays. “Our customers, more than ever, want their travel experiences to be so much more than just a holiday away,” she explained. “They are more conscious than ever and understand the positive impact that they as travellers can generate. They want the opportunity to help as they discover, learn, and broaden their understanding of different cultures.” 

Intrepid is the Small Group Adventure Partner, and the world’s largest travel B Corp. Joanna Reeve, head of business development and partnerships, acknowledged that “talking about sustainability can sometimes seem daunting” for agents. She explained: “We feel that this programme can equip agents and businesses with key information and guidance on how to have these conversations with customers confidently. It will also help agents increase their own awareness and introduce sustainable practices within their business.” 

Aishling McLoughlin, business development director at Accommodation Partner Iberostar, said the Ambassadors will be able see how Iberostar is working towards its 2030 goal of becoming carbon neutral, and becoming 100% waste free by 2025. She continued: “Lots of clients see and experience these actions in our hotels all around the world, and we will be giving agents a fantastic opportunity to experience this themselves by joining us on an exclusive sustainability fam trip.”

Avis is once again the Mobility Partner for the programme, and Sophie Nelson, international travel and partnerships manager, said Avis was excited to “inspire agents with responsible travel solutions.” She added: “The programme clearly helps agents to understand the importance of sustainability and how they can use that knowledge to work with the right suppliers to provide the most sustainable holidays. By adopting sustainability expertise from the programme, agents will be highlighted for their sustainable knowledge, thus helping to increase their own client base.”

Hurtigruten is the programme’s Expedition Partner, and head of UK sales Mark Walter highlighted the company’s various sustainability initiatives, including being the first cruise line to implement a fleet-wide single-use plastic ban and launching the world’s first hybrid-powered expedition ships. “We are uniquely placed to advise agents on how to make more sustainable choices, both in the travel experiences they sell and in their daily life,” he added. 

For your chance to be one of the 20 TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors, enter now here.