The Responsible Travel Advisor Collective (RTAC) said it was formed to ensure agents are recognised as a "vital piece of the puzzle" in driving more responsible travel sales and consumer awareness.
Founded by Ashley Quint of TravelTime World - one of the first graduates of TTG's Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme - the group brings together UK travel professionals who want to push for stronger industry action around issues including overtourism, animal welfare and lower-carbon travel options.
Of its 19 founding members, 15 are fellow TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors.
RTAC said the launch had been driven by frustration that agents have largely been excluded from wider sustainability discussions. This is despite accounting for around 35% of outbound travel sales from the UK worth more than £20 billion, according to Abta figures.
The collective will focus on wildlife protection, community support and climate-conscious travel (Credit: RTAC)
Quint explained the group aimed to give agents a stronger collective voice within the industry. "Responsible advisors are not all the same, we all run different business models, but what we share is a singular dedication to creating a positive impact," he said.
"Whether it’s a passion for animal welfare or a drive to solve common overtourism problems, we want to go further than we’ve been able to individually and speak with a collective voice, ensuring travel agents are at the forefront of future of travel."
The collective has launched with a charter centred around three core areas: wildlife protection, community support and climate-conscious travel.
Among its priorities are campaigning against exploitative animal attractions, supporting implementation of the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023, promoting tourism that directly benefits local communities and encouraging the sale of lower-carbon alternatives such as rail holidays and environmentally accredited hotels.
Founding members
- Annika Nickson, Nickson Travel
- Ashley Quint, TravelTime World
- Rachel Tredwell, Tredwell Travel
- Emma Andrews, Travel Village
- Ellie Adamo, Purpose Travel
- Julie Breckon, Earthwise Travel
- Marie Rowe, Marie Rowe Travel (Travel Counsellors)
- Toni Sharp, Designer Travel
- Helen Bateman, Firecrest Travel
- Zoe Pope, Everything But Ordinary
- Marina Schumacher, Travel Counsellors
- James and Jess Lewis, Vetsetters
- Kate Bailey, Kate Bailey Travel (Travel Counsellors)
- Liz Penn, Travel Counsellors
- Andrea Smith, Travel Village
- Lisa Connolly, Elegant Resorts
- Alison Nicholls, Travel Counsellors
- Emma Summers, Tribe Family Adventures (Travel Counsellors)
- Laura Sigsworth, Travel Counsellors
RTAC also plans to work with industry partners on specialist training initiatives and collaborative learning programmes designed to help agents better understand and sell responsible travel products.
The group said it also intends to campaign on broader industry challenges, including overtourism and the sale of captive cetacean attractions.
"We want future generations to experience the world just as we have," Quint added. "But for that to happen, we believe responsible travel must become the foundation of every holiday, not just an after thought."
