Travel News: Thomson and First Choice launch green brand ‘Holidays Forever’

Wouldn’t you love it if it was easier to choose a greener holiday?  As a family, we love travelling, but we’re also well aware of the damage tourism can do to the environment.  Let’s face it, we holidaymakers can be a thoughtless lot, using up vital resources, creating mountains of rubbish and clogging up the atmosphere with our carbon emissions (well, not personally, but you know what I mean).

And that’s when we’re actually ON holiday – what about those armfuls of holiday brochures we gather up in the travel agent, only to sling half of them practically unread, and all the packaging we take in our suitcase and end up discarding abroad?  How do we teach our children to be responsible travellers?

I was really interested, then, to hear that Thomson and First Choice have unveiled a whole new holiday brand called Holidays Forever.  Their plan brings all their green initiatives together under one roof, and aims to raise awareness about sustainable tourism, both at home and abroad.

Holidays Forever encompasses all sorts of commitments including the reduction of weight and carbon emissions from their airline, Thomson Airways (hopefully not by taking the seats out, a la Ryanair), recycling cans used onboard and raising £10 million for the World Care Fund.

Interestingly, Thomson and First Choice launched Holidays Forever after a customer poll found that 96% of holidaymakers cared about protecting the local environment and wildlife in the resorts they visited, and  83% welcomed advice about how to make their holidays more environmentally and socially responsible.

I’m surprised and delighted by the figures, frankly.  Who knew we travellers were such a thoughtful bunch?  We’ll be knitting our own hammocks on the beach next.

What do you reckon, then?  Would you book a green holiday?

DWXUDM8D7TZS

23 Responses to “Travel News: Thomson and First Choice launch green brand ‘Holidays Forever’”

1. Don't Bug Me! says:

   July 2, 2010 at 10:50 pm

   Just make all holidays really expensive – that will stop the hoi polloi from clogging up the airways, beaches, rainforest, ruins etc etc. Then, me, with no expensive children in tow, can have a well earned holiday in peace. Add that to the fact that by having no children I have already done my bit to keep the world a greener place – problem solved. What do you think?
   • English Mum says:

     July 3, 2010 at 9:45 am

     Erm… well, it’s certainly radical. But does it mean that I can’t go on holiday at all, then, being 1) poor and 2) with children?

     Bit harsh…
     • Don't Bug Me! says:

       July 3, 2010 at 5:15 pm

       Yes, it is a bit harsh, but you have to be cruel to be kind to this old planet. Sorry about that. Are you still planning on visiting soon?
       • English Mum says:

         July 3, 2010 at 6:14 pm

         I would love to. How are the ol’ renovations going?
         • Don't Bug Me! says:

           July 5, 2010 at 4:00 pm

           Well, I wouldn’t hurry over, if I were you…….
2. moon says:

   July 3, 2010 at 6:03 am

   Whilst people want to go, and can afford to go… people will fly. As far as waste when people are on holiday, it’s no different from living at home, you are either aware of the issue, or you don’t care ….. as for the brochures, they should of dumped those long ago, most people use the internet anyway… I mean, who does, these days go and get a bag full of brochures ?
   Would I book with them … No.. but then I book all my travel independently anyway, so I guess I am not a target for this kind of holiday
   • English Mum says:

     July 3, 2010 at 9:49 am

     After our Morocco ash cloud fiasco, Moon, I’d never travel independently again, especially with kids. I see your point on responsibility, but you’ve said yourself that it’s more difficult for you to be environmentally friendly out in Slovakia as the systems just aren’t in place. It’s easy to recycle when someone comes and empties your green bin every two weeks. In other people’s countries we need to take more responsibility I think and someone as massive as Thomson/First Choice can help put those things in place. I think it’s a good thing.
3. Lola says:

   July 3, 2010 at 10:44 am

   I think people are starting to recycle (because they have to) and there’s a significant sector of people who are trying to reduce their impact on the planet. But I don’t think anyone who isn’t already trying will be influenced by green travel options, and many of those who do religiously separate cardboard from paper will consider all the options and go for the holiday they really want, because they “deserve it”.
   • English Mum says:

     July 3, 2010 at 11:43 am

     My husband still refuses to recycle, Lola – he once met someone who runs a huge recycling company in Ireland who told him it all goes into landfill. I still have to retrieve all the plastic bottles from the bin… *sigh*

     And yes, you’re right, we definitely suffer from a ‘because I’m worth it’ attitude to holidays, I agree. I hope this will make the idea more mainstream.
     • moon says:

       July 4, 2010 at 5:19 am

       Thats not true anymore… Tim, your cousins, owns and runs a waste recycling company, and they do some great things with their waste .. How can you refuse to recycle ????
       • English Mum says:

         July 4, 2010 at 9:05 am

         I know, Moon. It’s a standing joke in our house – he puts it in the bin and I fish it out and recycle it.
4. English Grandma says:

   July 3, 2010 at 10:57 am

   I would be extremely wary of booking a holiday in the future except with a reputable travel company….Morocco did teach us a valuable lesson and First Choice, as we said at the time, really came up trumps. I am a dedicated recycler and would certainly be interested in discovering more about ‘greener’ holidays.
   • English Mum says:

     July 3, 2010 at 11:43 am

     It’s an interesting concept, isn’t it Ma. And there’s obviously a demand for it, as their research shows. I’ll be really interested to see the kind of holidays they offer…
5. Townygirl says:

   July 3, 2010 at 8:46 pm

   holidays….what are they?!!!! xx
   • English Mum says:

     July 4, 2010 at 9:06 am

     Aw bless you, Towny, when those little teeny twinnies are big enough, you’ll be watching them paddle in the sea, I promise! x
6. moon says:

   July 4, 2010 at 5:20 am

   Don’t get me wrong, anything that is helping has to be a good thing… I just hope they haven’t decided to do this to jump on an advertising bandwagon. I am very green, and I would encourage all things that can help …
   • English Mum says:

     July 4, 2010 at 9:06 am

     I agree. Every little helps, as Mr Tesco says.
7. Townygirl says:

   July 4, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   lol. we’re already thinking where on earth can we take them next summer… the seaside here or england methinks!x
   please will you resend me the link for that twin website again …. thank you.xxx
   • English Mum says:

     July 5, 2010 at 1:17 pm

     It’s just on my blogroll here on the right, Towny. Click on ‘Got Your Hands Full’. I’ve told Linda to expect you! xx
8. Knackered Mother says:

   July 4, 2010 at 10:28 pm

   I think it is a great idea and as you say, every little helps. Hope you don’t mind EM, I’ve tagged you x
   • English Mum says:

     July 5, 2010 at 1:18 pm

     Not at all, I love a good tagging *cough*.

     I think it’s a great idea – can’t wait to see the new website either x
9. Rachel@fairycakeheaven says:

   July 5, 2010 at 10:31 am

   If we all just moved to the holiday destination of our choice permanently it would solve everything……
   • English Mum says:

     July 5, 2010 at 1:18 pm

     That would suit me – I’d happily move to Goa, Rach!