Responsible tourism

Turtle-y transfixed: behind the scenes on Iberostar’s fam blending nature with nurture

Iberostar whisked four TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors off to the Mexican Caribbean to show the travel agents why its all-inclusive loving clients will love the Paraiso resort’s extra special wildlife encounters, exceptional gastronomy and community-based jungle adventure

Balearics hails successful 'de-seasonalisation' efforts and crackdown on illegal accommodation

The archipelago recorded only a minimal year-on-year increase in visitors this summer, 0.8% in July and 1.8% in August

Sarawak hopes to exert magnetic pull on adventurers

This WTM London, Sarawak will be inviting visitors to step off the beaten path and into the lush, untamed world of Malaysia’s best-kept secret adventure.

Malta succeeds in cutting peak traffic to Blue Lagoon

Introduced on May 1 this year, a new online booking system has succeeded in reducing visitor concentration at the popular yet fragile beauty spot by 68%.

Last year up to 12,000 visitors were recorded at Comino’s Blue Lagoon at any one time during peak hours, and the new free booking system allows a maximum of 4,000 visitors at any one time. Bookings generate a QR code, and wrist bands are issued at entry points.

The average number of visitors at the Blue Lagoon at each of the three daily time slots introduced this summer is 1,979.

Iceland planning to harness the magic of a solar eclipse

Destination preparing to host an influx of eclipse chasers, with West Iceland closest to the point of maximum eclipse

Nine do’s and don’ts of marketing to LGBT+ travellers

The second of two TTG LGBT+ Travel Ambassadors workshops with Intrepid and Virgin Atlantic took place online in September, focusing on how to effectively market and communicate LGBT+ travel

The luxury eco villas that will be like 'living in a geography book'

One of South Australia's most iconic properties is adding to its accommodation portfolio with the ultimate secluded hideaways

Get to know adventure and ecotourism hotspot Belize

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'A lot of our clients cry when they cut the ribbon on their tourism businesses'

Saint Lucia blazed a trail by launching the Caribbean's first community tourism agency, and now locals and tourists are reaping the benefits

'Now is a time of immense challenge – and opportunity – for our industry'

Writing for TTG ahead of World Tourism Day, Responsible Travel's Justin Francis OBE highlights four challenges the industry must face up to now – and four causes for optimism

‘A wishy-washy piece of law’: why has the UK government’s push to ban sales of low-welfare animal attractions overseas stalled?

It's been two years since the UK government laid legislation seeking to improve the quality of overseas animal attractions sold by UK travel firms – so why hasn't it been implemented?

Eight ways your clients can travel more responsibly

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.

10 overlooked, undervalued destinations to offer your clients

Every year Intrepid Travel, in partnership with Globetrender, spotlights 10 lesser-known destinations that are ready to welcome more tourists

Everything you need to know about French Polynesia specialist Aranui Cruises

Discover everything you need to know about Aranui Cruises, with a chance to win a €1,000 cruise voucher and a deluxe French food hamper

‘How we grew our mud hut into a flourishing safari lodge’

The owners of House in the Wild – a boutique lodge on the edge of the Maasai Mara – explain why the conservancy model is the most responsible choice for your clients

The right way to sell Sri Lanka? Do it with purpose – and clients will love it

Co-founders of The Conscious Travel Foundation Olivia Cryer and Maudie Tomlinson are advocates for a new way of selling travel to Sri Lanka

How clients can have a taste of the safari experience right here in the UK

A new safari-inspired experience at Chester Zoo is expected to generate an extra £1.5 million a year for the charity’s conservation work - and agents can book at a 20% discount

Should travel agents sell zoos?

TTG is a firm advocate for animal welfare in tourism, and you won’t find us writing about zoos very often. So what is different about Chester Zoo that made Pippa Jacks entertain the idea of visiting?

Mistakes agents make when selling LGBT+ holidays – and how to avoid them

The first of two TTG LGBT+ Travel Ambassadors workshops took place at Intrepid’s London headquarters on 13 August, with the content designed to teach five carefully selected travel agents how to sell to the LGBT+ community.

Secrets of Ceylon expands portfolio and adds new operator partner

The hotel collection now numbers 13 characterful four-star properties across the island

How to choose suppliers that help you cut the carbon footprint of a holiday

How to spot suppliers who prioritise sustainability – and the questions to ask other operators

RSPCA leads renewed calls for Tui to stop selling captive animal attractions

The RSPCA has also pointed out there is a law in England and Wales forbidding brands selling exploitative excursions which has never been implemented

How agents can sell a no-fly trip to three French hot spots

Paris, Provence, St Tropez: could there be a better trio of sophistication? And clients can also do them all without ever getting on a flight.

Arrive as strangers, leave as friends: why homestays are the future

Clients should be prepared for basic facilities – but don’t assume that means a lack of cleanliness. We discover how a homestay can be a heart-warming way to experience Nepal’s culture