Aito has agreed a deal with verified carbon offset specialist Fenix Carbon which will allow members to purchase carbon credits at point of sale.
Fenix has created an exclusive portfolio of offsets for Aito’s 120 members, and will provide training, webinars and consultation for Aito members.
It becomes a recommended partner across both Aito’s tour operator and agent membership, with two businesses – Fleewinter and Casa Cantabricas – already incorporating offsets into their packages.
The portfolio created for Aito, said Fenix, comprises four verified carbon offsetting projects, including a forest protection scheme in Zimbabwe and a hydro-electric power station in Turkey.
Fenix said its offsets are sold at fixes prices to counter currency fluctuations, while its platform allows Aito members to provide their clients the necessary documentation to back up their carbon neutrality claims – including proof of certification.
The deal also gives Aito members access to a further six portfolios.
Fenix said the travel industry had a duty to address its climate impact with "integrity and transparency".
Fleewinter founder and director Alisdair Luxmoore added: "The tourism industry recognises it has a responsibility to reduce carbon wherever possible — and where difficult to do this directly, to compensate through carbon offsetting.
"Fenix Carbon has developed a cost-effective, simple way to make this a reality, with integrity and control, and without them I doubt we’d have our current programme up and running."