Working For A Better Planet
As Brett Tollman sees it, we all have a role to play in preserving the environment for our children. The CEO of The Travel Corporation was in Toronto last week to talk about the TreadRight Foundation and some of the things that it has been doing since it was launched in 2008.
All of the company’s brands are involved in its efforts in some shape or form – here in Canada that involves the likes of Trafalgar, Insight, Contiki, Uniworld, Lion World Travel, etc. – both taking a role in the TreadRight Foundation’s key initiatives in the areas of heritage and wildlife programs or getting involved in local initiatives here in Canada.
Since its launch 7 years ago, TreadRight has participated in more than 35 projects in 27 countries around the world.
In 2014, Tollman explained that the Foundation decided to focus on 2 key areas – wildlife protection and preservation and heritage.
The TreadRight Heritage Initiative is designed to support handicraft work and the production of artisanal goods that are vital to local economies.
(Check out a new video on one of TreadRight’s heritage initiatives featuring the Foundation’s brand ambassador, Celine Cousteau, by clicking here. )
Battling the poaching and illegal trafficking in wildlife products is supported by the TreadRight Wildlife Initiative and its partneres WildAid, the Wilderness Foundation SA and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
In his Toronto presentation, Tollman pointed out that poaching of rhinos (for their horns) is rising dramatically and if it continues at its current levels, South African rhinos could be extinct by 2025.
The TreadRight Foundation’s are being recognized this year, with the Foundation receiving a 2015 World Tourism Award. Those awards were inaugurated in 1997 and recognize organizations, destinations and attractions for outstanding initiatives related to the travel and tourism industry and in fostering sustainable tourism and developing programs that give back to local communities.
Commenting on the award, Tollman observed: “We’ve come a long way since the introduction of our sustainability and conservation program in 2008. We have worked diligently with some absolutely inspiring partners that have helped power us forward as we continue our sustainability mission. We share this honour with each of them.”
Tollman will accept the award on Nov. 2, 2015 at an opening day ceremony at this year’s World Travel Market in London.
For more on the TreadRight Foundation, go to http://www.treadright.org .
Seen in the photo, from l to r, the Travel Corporation’s Jeff Element; Lion World Travel’s Lucille Sive; Trafalgar’s Wolf Paunic; Travel Corporation’s CEO Brett Tollman; Uniworld’s Michelle Palma; Contiki’s Brad Ford; and Insight’s Cris David.
