Evidence Log 1
What is the role of ABTA? Using the home page of the ABTA website only, develop a brief outline of the role of ABTA.
ABTA – The Travel Foundation is the largest travel trade association in the UK. ABTA represents the views of the travel industry to government and other bodies. It also serves to protect the interests of its members, who are travel agents, tour operators and other travel organisations. ABTA has around 750 tour operator members and nearly 5,000 travel agency members.
Using the link below, develop a 10 page presentation which summarises the role of ABTA.
ABTA – Consumer Zone
The main function of the Consumer Zone of the ABTA website is to provide members of the public with information relating to travel advice and the financial protection of holiday bookings. It also provides information relating to making complaints about travel agents and tour operators which are members of ABTA.
As well as the above, the Consumer Zone also provides a range of information of interest to travellers. This includes ABTA's role in promoting sustainable tourism.
ABTA's role in sustainable tourism
The pages below set out ABTA's position in relation to sustainable tourism.
Sustainability
Working to ensure a sustainable future for our holidays
Holidays are now seen by many as an essential part of life. Amongst other things they provide the chance to, spend time with loved ones, experience new things, recharge your batteries and take time out from the pace of daily life. The memories of holidays often last a lifetime.
At ABTA, we believe that holidays are special and we're working with our members to help keep holidays special for years to come. ABTA and its members recognise that holidays can have positive effects on both people and the environment that go far beyond the personal enjoyment factor that we take from our time on holiday. We believe that through adopting a sustainable approach to our industry, we can help minimise any potential for negative effects and maximise the positive impacts that tourism has.
What is sustainable tourism?
Put simply it's about creating better places to live and visit
Nowadays, there so much information around about sustainability it can be hard to make sense of it all. Rather than add to the confusion, we wanted to talk about sustainable tourism and what it means in plain English. That's why we've coined the concept Better Places. Sustainable Tourism doesn't have to be complicated, it's simply about tourism that helps to create Better Places to live and visit.
To do this, it means tourism should:
- Minimise its impacts on the environment
- Ensure that local communities benefit from tourism
- Ensure local economies are enhanced through tourism
- Respect local culture and traditions.
Our approach
Leading the UK travel and tourism sector to achieve Better Places, Better Holidays and Better Business
ABTA works to help create Better Places across three main areas.
- Initiatives with ABTA members.
- Partnerships with destination governments.
- Solutions for global tourism.
Initiatives with ABTA Members
We recognise that there is no one-size fits all approach to achieving Better Places. In keeping with this and the fact that the ABTA membership is so diverse, we work by gathering together like minded Members who agree common programmes of work to help achieve Better Places and in doing so, offer Better Holidays and build Better Businesses.
These programmes of work aim to help ensure that our holidays are not just rewarding on a personal level, but that they contribute to creating Better Places to live and visit.
Partnerships and solutions
Partnerships with destination governments
ABTA is the first point of call for many destination governments when it comes to UK tourism interests in these countries. Over the years ABTA has built up strong relationships with governments, both in the UK and overseas. ABTA uses its voice with these governments to encourage them to ensure tourism contributes to protecting or enhancing local environments, creates opportunities for local communities and helps develop national economies.
ABTA recognises that in doing this, the tourist experience can be enhanced and Better Holidays can be enjoyed.
Solutions for global tourism
Outside of travel agents, tour operators and hotels, the tourism industry is made up of a huge number of different businesses that all play a part in helping to make holidays happen. All of these businesses have a role to play in helping to create Better Places to live and visit.
As such, we have developed a range of initiatives and tools which are designed to help these businesses and ABTA members to start their journey to Better Places today.
We will be releasing more information about these initiatives in the future, please check our Sustainability pages over the coming months.
Better holidays
We're convinced that sustainable tourism doesn't only help keep holidays special for years to come; it helps make them even more special now.
Whether it's enjoying pristine and cared for environments, embracing local culture, meeting new people, trying a new local dish that you can add to your own recipe repertoire or finding that must-have local souvenir that reminds you of your holiday long after you're back home, sustainable tourism enhances our holidays for the better.
Top tips for having a Better Holiday
- Research your destination
Researching your destination is a great way to help ensure you have a Better Holiday. You'll likely find out interesting things about the local climate and culture, about great things to see and do in the destination and maybe even pick up a few words of the local language (this is normally really appreciated by locals).
- Chose a hotel that has a Travelife award
The Travelife Sustainability System is a scheme that works around the world to help hotels to best manage the impacts they have on the environment and on culture. The top performing hotels receive an award level of Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on how well they perform and then are indicated with the logos below in tour operators' brochures and websites. Travelife hotels are doing great things to help ensure you have a Better Holiday.
- Explore your surroundings
When you're in the destination make sure you get out and explore your surroundings. Speak to you tour operator, travel agent or the hotel staff to find out about the must-see sites and great things to do and see how you can work them into your holiday plans. Will it be a morning on the beach followed by an afternoon market visit where you pick up the perfect gifts or treat yourself? Or maybe a day of pampering and then a delicious dinner at a local restaurant where you excite your taste buds after relaxing your senses.
- Play your part
Many of us are now doing things in our daily lives which help to ensure we have a lower impact on the world around us – whether that's recycling at home for example, or sharing a lift to work. On holiday, there are a range of simple things that we can all do to help play our part whilst on holiday too such as:
- Saving water: in many holiday destinations water is a scarcer resource than it is in the UK so try to remember this and perhaps try taking shorter showers
- Turn electrical items off when not in use just as you would do at home
- Leave packaging at home – that way, if there is no recycling availability within the destination you'll make sure you can recycle packaging and will also be carrying less weight in your luggage
- Use local public transport in the destination – this is usually a great way to see more of the destination. Speak to your tour operator or hotel for tips on how to get around.
- Buy local
Treat yourself to something – go on, you've earned it! But make sure it's something locally made. This way, not only will you have the perfect item, but you'll have a feel good factor too, knowing that your purchase has helped make a difference to someone in the destination. Bargaining's a big part of purchasing in many cultures so have fun with it but make sure that you pay a price that fair for both you and the seller. And don't be shy of asking questions of where the item was made and what materials it's made from. Try to steer clear of products made from animal parts or plants.
- Ask you tour operator what they are doing?
Whether it's during the booking process, before you go, whilst there or when you get back, ask your travel provider what they're doing to help ensure we can have Better Holidays for many years to come. Many in the travel and tourism industry are taking action, not only because it's the right thing to do but because it helps make holidays even better. Find out about what the company does by asking questions and allow this to inform your decision.
- "I had a Better Holiday" – spread the word
So you're back and you tried some or all of the above and you had a better holiday. Well share your experiences with friends and families and help them to have a better holiday next time they travel.
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