Tag Archives: Sustainability

Curtain Raiser Event for ATOAI’s 16th Annual Convention Concludes Successfully Co Hosted by the Department of Tourism Govt of Arunachal Pradesh. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) hosted an inspiring Curtain Raiser for its 16th Annual Convention at The Park Hotel, New Delhi, setting the stage for an extraordinary event scheduled to take place in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 3 to 8 December, 2024. This evening’s event highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s vast potential as a global adventure tourism hub while emphasising ATOAI’s commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism practices. The event began with an engaging address by Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, who emphasised the transformative potential of sustainable adventure tourism. “Arunachal Pradesh is India’s Last Shangri-La and our next big adventure destination. This convention will set the stage for responsible adventure tourism and showcase how sustainability is the future of our industry. This convention promises to be a milestone event, further positioning Arunachal Pradesh and North East India at the forefront of adventure tourism in India and the world,” he remarked. This sentiment was echoed by Oken Tayeng, MLA and Convention Chairperson, who called Arunachal “a playground of possibilities” and underlined the need for a sustainable roadmap to unlock its adventure tourism potential. Adding to the evening’s momentum, Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the importance of collaboration in developing adventure tourism in India. He noted, “India’s natural assets make it a top contender for global adventure tourism and Arunachal is a shining gem of the country.” Ranphoa Ngowa, Secretary of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, further emphasised the state’s readiness to host global adventure seekers, pointing out its unique combination of untouched rivers, dense forests …

Continuing its commitment to sustainable tourism, Tourism Fiji has launched the “Bin it or Bag it” campaign to advocate a litter-free Fiji. The initiative, borne from the 2023 Fiji Tourism Convention, marks a small but critical step towards enhancing sustainability efforts, in partnership with leading private sector companies and local collaborators. At the 2023 Fiji Tourism Convention, stakeholders highlighted litter reduction as a crucial sustainability goal, prompting a coalition of dedicated private sector entities led by the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel, The Holiday Inn, Rosie Holidays and Ahura Resorts. To date, almost 15 partners across the country have contributed over FJ$100k, media space, and creative skills to bring the campaign to life, showcasing a united industry commitment to environmental conservation. The “Bin it or Bag it” campaign encourages all Fijians and visitors alike to responsibly dispose of waste by either depositing it in bins or, when bins are not immediately available, to store it in a bag and dispose of it appropriately later. This simple yet impactful initiative aims to preserve Fiji’s natural beauty and start an important dialogue and community movement to be litter-free. Collaborating with local talents such as musician Kuki and creative designer Studio Lily Kate, alongside Tourism Fiji creative agency Havas, the integrated campaign features a catchy jingle and uniquely Fijian illustrations. A key element of the campaign is the introduction of ‘Kasikasi,’ a character featured in the campaign’s illustrations, poised to become a familiar face promoting responsible waste management The campaign extends beyond messaging with specially designed reusable bags bearing the campaign slogan, available at various outlets throughout Fiji. “We are thrilled to launch the ‘Bin it or Bag it’ …

Etrav Tech organised a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative following the Ganesh Pooja celebrations. In collaboration with the Biker Brotherhood Club (BBC), their team organised a beach clean-up drive to address the litter left after the immersion festivities and to honour the true spirit of the festival. “The Ganesh Puja transcends mere dance, food, and rhythmic festivities; it also serves as a reminder of our connection with nature and the importance of preserving our environment. Lord Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom, symbolises harmony with nature. As a company committed to sustainability and community well-being, Etrav believes that its responsibilities extend beyond the festivities.” – Etrav The beach clean-up event, held on 22nd September, 2024, brought together members of the BBC, employees of Etrav, and local volunteers who worked tirelessly to collect waste and restore the beach’s natural beauty. With over 100 participants, they removed significant amounts of litter, fostering a sense of community and environmental awareness among all involved. “We wanted to send a strong message that the celebration of Ganesh Pooja should not be just limited to celebrations but also include a commitment to protecting our environment,” said Heniel Rupaarelia, Managing Director, Etrav Tech “Partnering with the BBC allowed us to amplify our impact and inspire even more people to respect and care for our natural surroundings.” As a leading player in the B2B travel sector in India, Etrav Tech is committed to implementing initiatives that promote sustainability and community welfare.

The 10th Travel MICE & Corporate Show concluded at the Hyderabad Marriott Convention Centre from 6-7 July in the City of Pearls. Around 2300 B2B meetings were held across two days with around 33 exhibitors and 72 buyers. The theme of this year’s event was sustainability, with dignitaries sharing insights on how to develop sustainable travel programmes.

Euromonitor International Voice of the Consumer and Lifestyle Survey 2024 has unveiled a notable decline in consumer interest and engagement in sustainable initiatives. With this shift, the onus falls on governments, key stakeholders and destinations to address this shift in consumer behaviour and drive meaningful changes to promote responsible tourism.

Gathering insights from more than 31,000 travellers across 34 countries and territories, Booking.com in its releases its 9th Sustainable Travel Report 2024, stated that 95 per cent of Indian travellers confirm that sustainable travel is important to them, with 93 per cent saying that they want to travel more sustainability over the next 12 months.

M.P. Bezbaruah, Secretary General, HAI, said, “The selected theme for National Tourism Day is both imaginative and practical as it revolves around sustainability and sustainable journeys. This implies the need to develop destinations that prioritize sustainability while simultaneously creating timeless memories—an essence that encapsulates the experience of India. Importantly, the message of sustainable and responsible tourism should resonate with the public. I hope that Tourism Day will emphasize creating awareness among people regarding this theme.”

Ajay Prakash, National President, TAFI, said, “Tourism is one of the biggest global industries and typically grows at a faster rate than GDP. Post-pandemic, Indian tourism has shown amazing resilience and recovery, especially in terms of outbound and domestic tourists. National Tourism Day is a day to celebrate the power of tourism to not only boost the economy, but to connect people across all boundaries. The two major challenges before the industry are geopolitics and climate change. Sustainability of the industry is a corollary of global peace and sustainability. On this National Tourism Day let us take a pledge to spread greater awareness of Tourism as a Force for Global harmony.”

TTC and Biosphere joined hands to promote sustainability in the hotel industry. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said, “The collaboration is a fundamental step towards international standardisation in sustainability, creating a clear and homogeneous pathway for the industry.”

KB Kachru, Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia highlights that looking ahead to 2024, the emphasis is expected to shift towards technology-driven conveniences, a lot of learnings, sustainability, and experiential travel.