How can you help your clients not only choose their perfect holiday, but also ensure they lessen any negative impacts from their trip? This was the focus of the third TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes workshop of the year, led by easyJet holidays’ senior ESG (environmental, social and governance) manager Scott Lawson, who discussed key areas agents can focus on to help their customers make better holiday decisions. 

After the workshop, this year’s 20 TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors were then tasked with creating their own list of responsible travel tips to share with their customers. To inspire you to create your own tips, here are eight areas highlighted during the workshop. 

1.Choose the location carefully

If customers are interested in visiting an over-touristed destination, can you instead highlight alternative, lesser-visited areas to help spread the benefits of tourism? Earlier this year easyJet holidays launched its Different Holiday Destinations range, featuring 28 lesser-known destinations to inspire customers. It was developed after the operator’s research found 39% of customers want to visit an alternative destination this year, but 60% didn’t have enough information or confidence to help them choose – highlighting a real opportunity for agents to share their knowledge.

2.Discuss local customs and etiquette

Consider sharing top tips about a destination to help customers understand local practices. For example, how locals approach tipping and queueing, as well as any customs. Brief them on activities or events that might be taking place, such as if they are visiting Muslim countries during Ramadan. 

3. Respect privacy

Gently remind clients that the destinations we visit are someone else’s home, and consider how they can enjoy a region respectfully. This can be as simple as avoiding photographing someone’s front window, or checking access is allowed before entering certain buildings. 

4. Engage with locals

Knowing a few words can help travellers connect with local people, so encourage them to learn basics such as “hello”, “please” and “thank you”. Spending their money locally also helps avoid economic leakage, whether it’s buying handmade items from artisans or eating in neighbourhood restaurants. 

Intrepid carefully selects the businesses, organisations and artisans it works with on its tours to support local people and make a positive impact.

5. Reduce rubbish 

While it may be second nature at home, holidaymakers don’t always remember to pack a reusable bag and bottle when travelling. Remind them how this can dramatically reduce the amount of plastic waste they generate. Look for local initiatives too – easyJet holidays sponsors reuse stations on beaches in Menorca, where visitors can leave floats, beach umbrellas and other items for fellow guests to enjoy. 

6. Eat local

EasyJet holidays has seen a trend among hotel restaurants of creating a dedicated area to showcase items that are produced, sourced and cooked locally, which helps support local businesses and reduce food miles. Lawson said: “As travel agents, there is a real key message that you can talk to customers about how can they engage with the local food. You can explain to them the benefits when they’re at the buffet or eating out locally, and how they can make these choices and provide benefits to local destinations.” 

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts’ business development director for the UK and Ireland, Aishling McLoughlin, explained how the business has pledged to be 100% responsibly sourcing all seafood in its hotels, which has already been implemented across 90% of its portfolio. Signs explain why certain species aren’t available, while hotels work with local fisheries wherever possible. 

7. Focus on child protection

Lawson explained that while tourism uplifts and supports communities to thrive, the industry must always ensure vulnerable people, including children, are not being exploited. Encourage guests to avoid visiting orphanages and consider making a donation to a credible charity instead. Always report any concerns you or a guest have about exploitation to your tour operator. 

8. Look for certification

Lawson stressed the importance of choosing hotels or operators that have some form of certification and can explain the work they do around sustainability and responsible tourism.

Biting into food waste

The workshop also included a presentation from David Jackson, director of marketing and public affairs at Winnow, which produces AI tools to help chefs reduce food waste. It works with more than 3,000 locations around the world, including Iberostar properties and some easyJet holidays’ hotel partners. 

Jackson explained how food waste is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, due to the methane emitted when it goes into landfill. Hotel food systems account for 3% of global food waste – equal to $100 billion of food each year – which is caused by spoilage, during preparation, from plate waste or overproduction. “If we’re serious about creating a more sustainable future, then we really have to solve this problem,” he said. 

Agents can help by promoting hotels that are taking positive steps towards slashing their food waste. To determine which ones are leading the way, Jackson suggested agents ask: 

• Is the hotel measuring food waste, and if so, how? 
• Have the team set a waste reduction target? 
• Does the hotel have some kind of eco-certification?

Discover more top tips on the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes hub.